How Much Is The Average Cost Of Car Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Maintenance:

$792 per year ($66 per month)

. While costs vary with the vehicle, modest overall increases in vehicle maintenance come from engines using more expensive semi- or full-synthetic motor oils, increases in extended warranty pricing and rising auto repair shop labor rates.

What is the average monthly maintenance cost for a car?

, car maintenance cost drivers about $792 a year in 2016, or about

$66 a month

. That obviously depends on the type of car you drive — older cars may need more costly visits to the repair shop, while newer, safer models can run well for years with just basic upkeep.

How much should you spend on car maintenance a year?

Add all maintenance costs together


Get the total amount you spent on maintenance during the last year and divide it by 12 to get your average monthly maintenance expense

. If you spent $900 in the past 12 months, you should budget at least $75 a month for car maintenance.

What car brand cost the most to maintain?

According to YourMechanic, BMWs cost the most to properly maintain—they’re also known for experiencing breakdowns which can cost you up to $3,688.

Luxury car brands

typically require more lump sums of money to maintain because of how they’re built.

What maintenance should you do on your car?

  • OIL AND COOLANT LEVELS. …
  • AIR FILTER. …
  • TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH. …
  • HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, AND PARKING LIGHTS. …
  • OIL & FILTER. …
  • ROTATE TIRES. …
  • WAX VEHICLE. …
  • TRANSMISSION FLUID.

How often should you change oil?

It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of

5,000 to 7,500 miles

. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services!

What is the 50 30 20 budget rule?

Senator Elizabeth Warren popularized the so-called “50/20/30 budget rule” (sometimes labeled “50-30-20”) in her book, All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. The basic rule is to

divide up after-tax income and allocate it to spend: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and socking away 20% to savings

.

What car has the lowest maintenance cost?

  1. Toyota Prius.
  2. Toyota Yaris.
  3. Toyota Corolla.
  4. Toyota Prius Prime.
  5. Toyota Camry.
  6. Toyota Avalon.
  7. Honda Fit.
  8. Mitsubishi Mirage.

Which cars require the most maintenance?

  1. Chrysler Sebring. 10-year cost to maintain: $17,100.
  2. BMW 328i. 10-year cost to maintain: $15,600. …
  3. Nissan Murano. 10-year cost to maintain: $14,700. …
  4. Mercedes-Benz E350. 10-year cost to maintain: $14,700. …
  5. Chevrolet Cobalt. …
  6. Dodge Grand Caravan. …
  7. Dodge Ram 1500. …
  8. Audi A4 Quattro. …

Which car brand has lowest maintenance cost?

  • Toyota. Arguably, Toyota has the lowest maintenance costs compared to other car brands. …
  • Mazda. Mazda has an average repair cost of $286, according to CarMD. …
  • Honda. On average, servicing a Honda vehicle costs $428 annually. …
  • Hyundai. …
  • KIA.

How often should I maintain my car?

SmartFinancial Auto Insurance Comparison in CA. Vehicles are machines, and like any machine they need maintenance. For most vehicles,

regular maintenance begins at 5,000 miles and continues from there every 5,000-10,000 miles

. Of course, checking your car on a more regular basis is even better.

How often should I service my car?

How Often Should You Service Your Car? On average, drivers are advised to send in their vehicles for service

every six months or 10,000 Km

– whichever comes first. However, if you usually drive on harsher terrains, you might need to schedule a service appointment after every 6,000 miles.

What is included in a full car service?

  • An engine oil change and/or filter replacement.
  • Checking lights, tyres, exhaust and operations of brakes and steering.
  • Ensuring your engine is ‘tuned’ to run in its peak condition.
  • Checking hydraulic fluid and coolant levels.

Should you change your oil by date or mileage?

It is recommended to get your oil changed

at least twice a year

, even if you haven’t driven those thousands of miles that are normally recommended. Oil, like anything, degrades over time, and if you have oil degrading in your engine for months and months and months, that’s not good for your vehicle.

Can engine oil last 2 years?

Generally, unopened motor oil (both conventional and synthetic blend) will last for an extended time as it is in a sealed container. Motor oil stays good in the oil bottle until its expiry date when unopened. This will give you

about 2-5 years before unused oil becomes unfit for consumption

.

What happens if you go too long without an oil change?


Complete Engine Failure

– If you go long enough without an oil change, it could cost you a car. Once the motor oil becomes sludge, it no longer removes heat from the engine. This can lead to a complete engine shutdown that will require a brand new engine – or a new ride – to fix.

Is saving 2000 a month good?


Yes, saving $2000 per month is good

. Given an average 7% return per year, saving a thousand dollars per month for 20 years will end up being $1,000,000. However, with other strategies, you might reach over 3 Million USD in 20 years, by only saving $2000 per month.

How much should you have left over after bills?

How much money should you have left after paying bills? This will vary from person to person but a good rule of thumb is to follow the 50/20/30 formula.

50% of your money to expenses, 30% into debt payoff, and 20% into savings

.

What is the 72 rule in finance?

The Rule of 72 is

a calculation that estimates the number of years it takes to double your money at a specified rate of return

. If, for example, your account earns 4 percent, divide 72 by 4 to get the number of years it will take for your money to double.

What car brand has least problems?


Lexus

claims the top spot as the most dependable brand; its cars suffered very few faults and virtually all work was done for free. Its NX SUV is the highest-rated hybrid (pictured), while the smaller UX came fourth in the same category.

What is the most reliable car brand?

Longest-Lasting Car Brands to Reach 200,000 Miles- iSeeCars Study Rank Model % of Cars Over 200k Miles 1

Toyota

2.3%
2 Honda 1.9% 3 GMC 1.8%
David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.