Which Car Brands Cost the Most to Maintain?

We analysed 3,900+ real workshop jobs to find out.

QUESTION 1: “Why do some car brands cost more to maintain?”

Some customers tell us, “I swear this car is always costing me money.” Others say, “My last car never needed anything!” So, we decided to get the real story using data from our workshop in Cannock.

QUESTION 2: “Is it the brand, or just bad luck?”

It turns out that some makes and models consistently show up with bigger invoices than others. We wanted to help you understand why that might be — and whether your car is one of them.

✅ PROMISE

This isn’t opinion. It’s not a survey. It’s based on over 3,900 real jobs from our garage. We’ll show you which cars cost the most (and least) to maintain and why.

PREVIEW

• Top 3 most expensive car brands to maintain (by average invoice)
• Top 3 most affordable car brands to run
• Why these differences exist (with real examples)
• What it means for your next service or vehicle purchase

The Most Expensive Cars to Maintain (Based on Real Invoices)

Here are the top three brands with the highest average invoice values in our workshop data:

• Citroën – £385.83 average invoice
• Peugeot – £274.23 average invoice
• BMW – £263.72 average invoice

These vehicles tend to have complex repairs, costlier parts, or longer labour times. It doesn’t mean they’re bad cars — just that keeping them running can cost more.

The Most Affordable Brands to Maintain

On the other end of the scale, here are the brands with the lowest average repair costs:

• Hyundai – £147.72 average invoice
• Volkswagen – £168.06 average invoice
• Nissan – £184.45 average invoice

These cars are typically simpler to work on, and parts are readily available at lower costs. We see fewer complex faults in these brands overall.

Why Do Costs Vary So Much?

• Parts prices: Prestige brands = premium parts
• Job complexity: Some models take longer to repair
• Service history: Cars with gaps in maintenance tend to cost more
• Owner habits: Drivers who act early pay less than those who wait for a breakdown

Myth-Busting: What People Get Wrong

• Myth: German cars are always reliable. Reality: They can be — but they’re also among the most expensive to fix.
• Myth: All older cars are cheap to repair. Reality: Not if parts are rare or faults are overlooked.
• Myth: Main dealers are always better. Reality: Independent garages like us often use the same tools — without the inflated price tag.

How to Save on Servicing & Repairs — No Matter What You Drive

• Stick to your service schedule
• Ask about part options (we explain Good/Better/Best)
• Choose a garage that tells you the “why” not just the price

Final Thoughts

Now you know which brands tend to cost more — and why. If you’ve ever been puzzled by wildly different service quotes, this is the context you needed. Thinking about your next service or car purchase? Let’s talk first. We’re Car Friend — a local garage that values trust, transparency, and good advice over hard sales. We’ll never recommend work you don’t need, and we always explain the options.

Your Next Step:

Message us on WhatsApp or explore more guides in our Knowledge Hub.