Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Consumer reports: the five lowest maintenance car brands:

One of these magazines did an article 2-3 years back about trying to drive your vehicle to 200k or something along those lines. Their suggestions were to buy a Toyota or Honda, and if you needed a truck, an F150. I thought it was kind of funny as my driveway contained an older Accord, older Highlander, a new Camry, and a fairly new F150. I've only been buying my own cars for a bit over 20 years, but have had quite a number of previously-owned Toyota products across all those miles. Very few "oddball" maintenance items other than the typical consumable items like wheel bearings, belts, brakes, etc. One SUV needed a fuel pump at 50k miles or so, but it was under warranty. Appeared to be just a bad part.

Serious question though, how are hybrids holding up now that some have some age on them? I see that the 2025 model Camry is only going to come in a hybrid version. Part of the appeal of the Camry to me has been the conventional engine and transmission, as you are likely getting a good 12-15 years out of the car with pretty good resale. Not sure about all the hybrid components at 10+yrs and 200k+ miles.

Toyota is third. Four out of five are American name plates, with Tesla being the lowest maintenance costs over a 10 year life span.

Tesla
Buick
Toyota
Lincoln
Ford

There's a pretty graph in the link.....

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/

"When comparing cumulative costs by brand for years one through five and six through 10, we found that Tesla had the lowest maintenance costs. At the opposite end of the rankings, several German automakers are clustered as the most expensive brands, namely Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

“If you are considering a luxury model, it may be wise to purchase one from a domestic brand that may have lower maintenance and repair costs,” says Elek. “For example, over 10 years, Mercedes-Benz models are more than double the cost to maintain and repair as those from Lincoln.”

Toyota is third. Four out of five are American name plates, with Tesla being the lowest maintenance costs over a 10 year life span.

Tesla
Buick
Toyota
Lincoln
Ford

There's a pretty graph in the link.....

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/

"When comparing cumulative costs by brand for years one through five and six through 10, we found that Tesla had the lowest maintenance costs. At the opposite end of the rankings, several German automakers are clustered as the most expensive brands, namely Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

“If you are considering a luxury model, it may be wise to purchase one from a domestic brand that may have lower maintenance and repair costs,” says Elek. “For example, over 10 years, Mercedes-Benz models are more than double the cost to maintain and repair as those from Lincoln.”