A recent study by Consumer Reports found that Tesla is the cheapest car brand to maintain over a 10-year period.
The study, which polled thousands of car owners in the US in its 2023 annual survey, found that Tesla owners spent an average of $4,035 on maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years of ownership. This is significantly lower than the average cost for all car brands, which was $5,900.
The study also found that costs tend to increase as cars age. For example, Tesla owners spent an average of $580 on maintenance and repairs in the first five years of ownership, but this number jumped to $3,455 in years six through 10.
Here is a list of the ten cheapest car brands to maintain over 10 years, according to Consumer Reports:
1. Tesla: $4,035
2. Buick: $4,900
3. Toyota: $4,900
4. Lincoln: $5,040
5. Ford: $5,400
6. Chevrolet: $5,550
7. Hyundai: $5,640
8. Nissan: $5,700
9. Mazda: $5,800
10. Honda: $5,835
The study’s findings are likely due to the fact that electric vehicles like Teslas require less maintenance than gasoline-powered cars. Electric vehicles don’t have oil changes, spark plugs, or tailpipes to replace, and their regenerative braking systems reduce wear and tear on brakes.
The results of the Consumer Reports study are consistent with other recent studies that have found that electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than gasoline-powered cars. For example, a 2022 study by AAA found that electric vehicle owners spend an average of $4,600 less on maintenance and repairs over a 10-year period than gasoline-powered car owners.
The lower maintenance costs of electric vehicles are one of the many reasons why they are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. As the price of electric vehicles continues to come down and the charging infrastructure continues to expand, electric vehicles are expected to become an even more attractive option for car buyers in the future.
🥇 Tesla is the cheapest brand to maintain, with a total cost of $4,035 for the first 10 years, far lower than other companies, according to the 2023 Annual Auto Survey from Consumer Reports. https://t.co/4wGmFgac7o pic.twitter.com/dtpLH2Ldiu
— Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) April 24, 2024