Used Cars With Low Maintenance Costs
✨Key Points
- Used cars like Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra are renowned for low annual maintenance costs, often below $500.
- Choosing reliable models such as Toyota Prius or Mazda3 ensures durability, efficiency, and affordable long-term ownership costs.
- Considering long-term maintenance costs is crucial when buying a car, as some vehicles are significantly cheaper to maintain than others.
People compare plenty of things when shopping for a vehicle: passenger and cargo space, fuel economy, towing capacity, safety technology, comfort, and, of course, price.
But the number on the windshield is only the beginning of what a car will actually cost you.
A used vehicle may help you avoid some of the steep depreciation associated with buying new, but a lower purchase price can quickly lose its appeal if the car regularly needs expensive repairs.
That’s why maintenance and long-term ownership costs deserve a place alongside mileage and purchase price when you’re comparing vehicles.
Before buying, consider:
- Routine maintenance costs, including oil changes, tires, brakes, batteries, and fluids.
- Parts availability and prices, particularly for older or discontinued models.
- Reliability history for the specific model, model year, engine, and transmission.
- Fuel and insurance costs, which can significantly change your monthly ownership budget.
- Vehicle history and condition, since two examples of the same model can have very different maintenance needs.
- Pre-purchase inspection, which can uncover problems that aren’t obvious during a short test drive.
No used vehicle is automatically cheap to maintain, and even models with strong reliability reputations can become expensive if previous owners neglected them.
Service history, mileage, age, climate exposure, and individual condition all matter.
Still, some models have earned attention from used-car shoppers because of their relatively straightforward maintenance, widely available parts, and reputation for long-term reliability.
While browsing cars, trucks, vans, CUVs, and SUVs at a Honda dealership, consider the following used cars with low maintenance costs, but compare the individual vehicle’s history and condition before deciding which one offers the best long-term value.
Honda Civic
Hondas are known for their performance, dependability, and durability.
They also cost less to keep running over time than many other vehicles.
Honda Civics, particularly the 2015 through 2020 models, are among the most cost-effective vehicles on the market from a long-term perspective.
Many experts say that the 2016 models are even more exceptional in this regard.
Annual maintenance costs for these cars average about $370.
That’s about a third of the amount the average person spends on coffee each year.
Honda Accord
Honda Accords remain popular on the used-car market, thanks in part to their reputation for reliability and relatively manageable ownership costs.
RepairPal currently estimates average annual Accord repair and maintenance costs at about $400, compared with $526 for midsize cars overall.
Actual expenses, however, vary considerably based on the model year, mileage, condition, location, and maintenance history.
Rather than assuming every 2013–2018 Accord is equally inexpensive to maintain, check the specific model year and powertrain, review its service and recall history, and get a pre-purchase inspection.
Older Accords can still be excellent used-car choices, but individual condition matters more than the badge alone.
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jettas, specifically those built from 2015 through 2018, also top the list.
The 1.4T engine produced in 2016 is one of the best in terms of efficiency and reliability, but all of Volkswagen’s Jetta models in this timeframe generally require minimal maintenance and cost less to keep up.
Maintenance for these cars averages about $600 per year.
That’s a little higher than some of Volkswagen’s Asian competitors, but it’s considered quite low for a European vehicle.
Subaru Impreza
Subaru has numerous strong suits in the automotive world. Its vehicles are known for being among the safest on the roads.
Standard all-wheel drive also makes most Subaru models highly versatile and capable regardless of where their owners live or what conditions they’re up against.
Those are only a few of the main pull factors of these vehicles. Imprezas made from 2012 through 2018 have extremely affordable maintenance costs, typically averaging $550 a year.
Kia Soul
Another vehicle with low maintenance costs is the Kia Soul.
It definitely stands out on the road, and it has an exceptional interior room considering its size.
It’s a fun, practical CUV, and its relatively simple design makes maintenance much simpler compared to many other vehicles.
Annual maintenance costs for the Kia Soul are about $500 to $600.
Mazda 3
The Mazda3 has long appealed to used-car buyers looking for a combination of fuel efficiency, enjoyable handling, comfort, and relatively manageable maintenance costs.
Models from the 2014–2018 generation are particularly common on the used market, although actual reliability and repair costs depend heavily on mileage, maintenance history, and individual condition.
My own experience with Mazda has also been very positive.
I’ve owned a Mazda CX-30 for about five years, and buying it has been one of the best car decisions I’ve made.
It has given me the combination I wanted, reliability, comfort, enjoyable driving, and reasonable everyday maintenance.
Of course, my CX-30 experience doesn’t guarantee the same results with every Mazda3.
If you’re considering a used Mazda, check the specific model year, service history, mileage, and condition and have the vehicle inspected before buying.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra has changed considerably since Hyundai first entered the U.S. market in the 1980s.
Today, it is a familiar choice among drivers looking for an affordable compact sedan with good fuel economy, modern features, and generally accessible replacement parts.
Used Elantras from the 2015–2020 model years can be attractive to budget-conscious buyers, but maintenance costs shouldn’t be reduced to one universal yearly figure.
What you’ll actually spend depends on the model year, mileage, powertrain, previous maintenance, location, and condition of the individual car.
If low ownership costs are your priority, look for an Elantra with:
- A documented maintenance and service history.
- No unresolved recalls or major warning lights.
- Tires and brakes with reasonable remaining life.
- Evidence of regular oil and fluid maintenance.
- A clean pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic.
The Elantra can be worth considering among used cars with low maintenance costs, but, as with any used vehicle, the condition of the specific car matters more than its reputation alone.
Toyota Corolla
Toyotas are also among the most popular cars on the market these days, and the Corolla alone has a sizable following.
These cars are reliable, comfortable, and packed with features. They also last a long time.
It’s not uncommon for Toyota’s 1.8-liter engine that some Corollas are equipped with to last beyond 200,000 miles.
Those built between 2014 and 2020 are extremely affordable to maintain with yearly costs averaging an astounding $350.
Toyota Camry
Also one of Toyota’s shining stars, the Camry has a major fanbase all its own. In true Toyota fashion, it’s know for its tech features, safety, performance, and dependability.
Besides that, it’s a beautiful, comfortable car. Its powertrain is made to last, especially those with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines.
Models built from 2012 to 2019 are particularly affordable to maintain. Generally, maintenance for these cars costs about $400 per year.
Toyota Prius
Toyota made headlines with the Prius. It was one of the first mass-produced hybrids to hit the market, and people flocked to dealerships in droves to get their hands on it.
Hybrid vehicles are notorious for having high maintenance costs.
That’s one of the areas in which the Prius stands out, though.
Its battery tends to last for 150,000 miles or more, and its regenerative braking keeps brake maintenance at a minimum.
Annual maintenance costs for a Prius average out at $500.
Finding a Used Vehicle With Long-Term Affordability
A low purchase price can make a used car look like a bargain, but the real question is what that vehicle will cost you over the next several years.
If you’re asking should you buy a used or new vehicle, look beyond the sticker price.
A used car may cost less upfront and avoid some early depreciation, while a new vehicle may offer warranty coverage, newer technology, and fewer immediate age-related maintenance concerns.
Neither choice is automatically more affordable for every driver.
To make confident decisions when choosing a used vehicle, consider the costs that continue long after you leave the dealership:
- Routine car maintenance, including oil, fluids, brakes, tires, and batteries.
- The price and availability of replacement parts.
- Fuel economy and car insurance costs.
- The vehicle’s mileage, age, condition, and maintenance history.
- Known reliability patterns for the specific model year and powertrain.
- Potential repairs once any remaining warranty coverage ends.
Some vehicles can be expensive to keep on the road as they age, while others have reputations for more manageable maintenance and widely available parts.
Still, no model guarantees low ownership costs; the condition and history of the individual vehicle matter enormously.
That’s why the best used-car deal isn’t necessarily the vehicle with the lowest price.
It’s the one you can comfortably afford to buy, maintain, insure, and keep on the road for the years you plan to own it.
