Top 10 of the least expensive used vehicles to repair.

Top 10 of the least expensive used vehicles to repair.

Vehicle Comparisons

Published by Occasion Beaucage on November 22, 2022

When it comes to buying a used vehicle, an important consideration is the cost of maintenance. Several factors can affect the repairs that will need to be done on a particular vehicle, such as the maintenance history and the driving habits of previous owners. However, data exists to provide an average picture of maintenance costs for almost all models of all brands thanks to caredge.com, which accumulates millions of data on the subject every year.

Here is the Top 10 list of popular used vehicles that are the least expensive to repair.

#10 Subaru Impreza

On average, a Subaru Impreza will cost $7,906 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This is $1,602 less than the average for similar compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing to perform a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Subaru Impreza.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,83%
23,03%
33,40%
46,01%
58,61%
69,68%
710,45%
813,51%
914,92%
1017,73%

Things to check before buying:

  • Engine oil consumption
  • Condition of the windshield
  • Condition of soy-based wiring harnesses that can attract rodents

#9 Kia Forte

On average, a Kia Forte will cost $7,779 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $1,730 less than the average for similar compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of having to perform a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Kia Forte.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,81%
23,00%
33,37%
45,94%
58,52%
69,58%
710,33%
813,36%
914,76%
1017,53%

Items to check before buying:

  • The condition of the speakers
  • The condition of the exterior lights
  • The condition of the interior seats

#8 Volkswagen Jetta

On average, a Volkswagen Jetta will cost $7,534 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $1,975 less than the average for similar sedans in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of having to perform a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Volkswagen Jetta.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,74%
22,89%
33,24%
45,72%
58,19%
69,21%
79,94%
812,85%
914,20%
1016,86%

Things to check before buying:

  • Condition of the transmission (automatic)
  • Condition of the electrical system (power windows)
  • Condition of the paint

#7 Toyota RAV4

On average, a Toyota RAV4 will cost you $7,412 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $4,827 less than the average for similar compact SUVs in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of having to perform a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Toyota RAV4.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,66%
22,75%
33,09%
45,45%
57,81%
68,78%
79,48%
812,25%
913,54%
1016,08%

Elements to check before buying:

  • The condition of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler
  • The condition of the oxygen sensors
  • The condition of the brakes

#6 Nissan Sentra

On average, a Nissan Sentra will cost $7,291 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $2,217 less than the average for similar compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Nissan Sentra.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,69%
22,81%
33,15%
45,57%
57,98%
68,98%
79,68%
812,52%
913,83%
1016,43%

Here are the elements to check before buying:

  • The condition of the CVT transmission.
  • The condition of the suspension.
  • The condition of the paint.

#5 Volkswagen Golf

On average, a Volkswagen Golf will cost $7,250 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $1,814 less than the average for similar hatchback compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year for your used Volkswagen Golf.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,64%
22,72%
33,05%
45,39%
57,72%
68,69%
79,37%
812,12%
913,39%
1015,91%

Things to check before buying:

  • The condition of the transmission and clutch (manual)
  • The condition of the electrical system (power windows and hatch lock)
  • The condition of the paint

#4 Mazda 3

On average, a Mazda 3 will cost $7,248 for maintenance and repairs over a period of 10 years. This represents $2,220 less than the average for similar compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing to perform a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Mazda 3.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,67%
22,78%
33,11%
45,50%
57,88%
68,86%
79,56%
812,35%
913,65%
1016,22%

Elements to check before buying:

  • Condition of the transmission and clutch (manual)
  • Condition of the brakes
  • Condition of the paint

#3 Honda Civic

On average, a Honda Civic will cost you $7,029 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. That's $2,480 less than the average for similar compact cars in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing a major repair during its first ten years of life to help you choose the model year of your used Honda Civic.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,61%
22,66%
32,99%
45,28%
57,56%
68,50%
79,17%
811,86%
913,10%
1015,57%

Here are the elements to check before buying:

  • The condition of the automatic transmission.
  • The condition of the brakes.
  • Engine oil consumption.

#2 Toyota Prius

On average, a Toyota Prius will cost $5,371 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $3,693 less than the average for similar hatchback compacts in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing a major repair during the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Toyota Prius.

Please note that this translation is provided as requested, and the information may not be up-to-date or accurate.

YearProbability of major repairs
11,16%
21,92%
32,15%
43,80%
55,45%
66,13%
76,61%
88,54%
99,44%
1011,22%

Things to check before buying:

  • The condition of the hybrid system wiring
  • The condition of the paint
  • The condition of the windshield and rear window

#1 Tesla Model 3

On average, a Tesla Model 3 will cost $4,807 to maintain and repair over a period of 10 years. This represents $11,222 less than the average for similar luxury compact sedans in the industry. Here is the table of probabilities of needing a major repair in the first ten years of its life to help you choose the model year of your used Tesla Model 3.

YearProbability of major repairs
10,89%
21,48%
31,66%
42,93%
54,19%
64,72%
75,09%
86,58%
97,27%
108,64%

Elements to check before buying:

  • The condition of the battery
  • The condition of the paint
  • The tightness of the protective plates under the vehicle

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