The price on a car window tells only part of the ownership story. Over a decade, routine maintenance and unexpected repairs can add thousands of dollars to what initially looked like a reasonable purchase.
Consumer Reports analyzed owner-reported spending from its automotive survey to compare how maintenance and repair costs accumulate during the first five years and the following five. The difference is striking.
Tesla came in at $5,050 over 10 years, while Land Rover reached $17,450, more than three times as much. The figures exclude collision repairs, but they provide a useful picture of how differently various brands can affect a long-term U.S. household budget.
1. Tesla
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,050
Tesla takes the top position with a projected 10-year maintenance and repair expense of $5,050. The figure consists of approximately $730 during the first five years and another $4,320 during years six through 10. That means the second half of ownership accounts for the vast majority of the estimated decade-long bill.
The reason Tesla sits at the inexpensive end is closely connected to its electric powertrain. Battery-electric vehicles do not need conventional engine oil changes, spark plug replacements, fuel system servicing, or many other maintenance operations associated with gasoline engines.
Consumer Reports has noted that EVs generally require less routine maintenance because they have fewer mechanical components that need regular service.
That does not mean a Tesla is maintenance-free. Tires, brakes, suspension components, steering parts, cabin filters, and other equipment can still require attention. An electric vehicle can also face expensive repairs when certain electronic or electrical systems fail.
The dramatic increase from $730 in the first five years to $4,320 in the next five illustrates another important point. Older vehicles tend to require more repairs as components wear. Consumer Reports says maintenance and repair costs generally rise as vehicles age, particularly after warranty and complimentary service periods end.
For a buyer planning to keep a vehicle for a full decade, Tesla’s $5,050 estimate therefore represents a significant long-term advantage, although individual costs can vary by model, mileage, and condition.
2. Lincoln
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,200
Lincoln is only $150 more expensive than Tesla across the 10 years, with Consumer Reports estimating cumulative maintenance and repair spending at $5,200. The first five years account for about $850, while years six through 10 contribute another $4,350.
That result is particularly interesting because Lincoln occupies the premium end of Ford’s lineup. Buyers might expect a luxury-oriented brand to generate significantly higher bills than mainstream manufacturers, yet Lincoln’s reported costs remain remarkably close to Tesla’s.
The data also reveals how much ownership expenses can shift with age. Lincoln’s first-five-year cost represents only a small portion of its 10-year estimate. The later period is substantially more expensive, reinforcing Consumer Reports’ observation that repair and maintenance spending tends to rise as vehicles become older.
Consumer Reports says domestic automakers tend to have cheaper replacement parts when repairs are required, and that advantage can benefit upscale domestic brands as well. That helps explain why Lincoln can remain competitive with less expensive mainstream marques in long-term maintenance spending.
Still, $5,200 is not a guaranteed ownership bill. A specific Lincoln model can perform differently depending on its powertrain, mileage, and reliability history. The figure is a brand-level estimate based on owner-reported spending.
For someone shopping for a premium vehicle but worried about long-term service expenses, Lincoln’s position is significant. It demonstrates that luxury-oriented equipment does not automatically mean luxury-level maintenance costs.
3. Buick
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,300
Buick records a 10-year maintenance and repair estimate of $5,300, putting it just $100 behind Lincoln and $250 above Tesla. Consumer Reports’ underlying figures show approximately $1,000 during the first five years and $4,300 during years six through 10.
The later ownership period is therefore responsible for most of Buick’s decade-long expense. That pattern is not unique to this brand. Consumer Reports explains that newer vehicles generally require less repair work, while costs become more significant as components age and factory coverage expires.
Buick’s result also challenges the idea that a more upscale vehicle must be expensive to maintain. The brand sits above Chevrolet in General Motors’ lineup, yet its reported decade-long maintenance spending is among the lowest in the entire Consumer Reports dataset.
Parts availability is one factor that can work in the favor of domestic manufacturers. Consumer Reports specifically notes that domestic automakers tend to have cheaper parts when repairs become necessary. That can help reduce expenses even when the vehicle itself offers a more premium experience.
The $5,300 number covers maintenance and repairs reported by owners, not every cost associated with operating a Buick. Collision repairs are excluded, and expenses such as fuel, insurance, depreciation, and financing are separate.
For buyers intending to keep a Buick for 10 years, the data provides an encouraging starting point. It suggests that long-term service costs can remain relatively manageable, although actual bills will depend heavily on the individual model, mileage, and condition.
4. Toyota
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,300
Toyota ties Buick at $5,300 for estimated maintenance and repair costs across 10 years. Its reported spending is particularly interesting because the first five years account for just $1,100, followed by approximately $4,200 during years six through 10.
Toyota’s second five-year period is the lowest among the brands in this 12-brand group. That matters because the later ownership window is when vehicles generally begin requiring more attention.
Consumer Reports says maintenance and repair expenses increase as vehicles age, making the years beyond the warranty period particularly important for long-term buyers.
Toyota also has a strong reputation for reliability. In Consumer Reports’ separate 2025 reliability analysis, Toyota ranked first among brands, based on owner-reported problems across its vehicle lineup.
However, reliability and maintenance cost are not identical measurements. A reliable vehicle can still require routine tire, brake, and fluid service, while an unreliable vehicle can generate substantially more unexpected repair work.
Toyota’s relatively small $4,200 estimate for years six through 10 is therefore one of the more encouraging figures for someone planning long-term ownership.
The $5,300 total does not mean every Toyota will cost the same amount. A compact sedan, three-row SUV, and full-size pickup have very different mechanical requirements.
Nevertheless, the brand’s position near the bottom of the cost ranking gives buyers another reason to consider Toyota when the intention is to keep a vehicle well beyond its early ownership years.
5. Hyundai
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,680
Hyundai’s estimated 10-year maintenance and repair bill reaches $5,680, placing it fifth among these 12 brands. Consumer Reports’ data assigns about $1,130 to the first five years and another $4,550 to years six through 10.
The figures reveal a familiar pattern. The first half of ownership is relatively inexpensive, while the second half contributes roughly four times as much to the cumulative bill. That is exactly why buyers who intend to keep a vehicle for a decade should pay attention to long-term cost data rather than focusing only on expenses during the warranty period.
Hyundai’s total remains below $6,000, keeping it substantially closer to Tesla and Toyota than to the expensive luxury brands farther down Consumer Reports’ complete ranking.
There is also an important distinction between maintenance cost and reliability. Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability survey ranked Hyundai 12th, with a predicted reliability score of 48, while its maintenance-cost analysis measures owner-reported spending on maintenance and repairs. That means the two datasets should not be treated as interchangeable.
For an American buyer considering a Hyundai for long-term ownership, the $5,680 figure provides a useful financial benchmark. It includes maintenance and repairs reported by owners but excludes collision-related expenses. Individual models can still produce very different results depending on their design, mileage, and condition.
The broader message is that Hyundai’s long-term service costs remain relatively contained compared with many premium European brands, making the brand worth considering for buyers who intend to keep their vehicle for many years.
6. Nissan
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,935
Nissan comes next at $5,935 over 10 years. Consumer Reports’ figures divide that into approximately $1,340 during the first five years and $4,595 during years six through 10.
The difference between Nissan and Hyundai is only $255 across an entire decade, showing how closely grouped several mainstream brands are at this end of the ranking.
As with the other brands, the second five-year period is considerably more expensive. That is a recurring pattern in Consumer Reports’ analysis because aging vehicles typically require more repairs and replacement of worn components.
Nissan’s position is also interesting when compared with its reliability results. In Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability ranking, Nissan placed sixth with a predicted reliability score of 57, ahead of several brands with lower 10-year maintenance estimates.
This demonstrates why buyers should not assume that maintenance cost and reliability rankings tell exactly the same story. Maintenance spending includes scheduled service as well as repairs, while reliability focuses on the frequency and seriousness of reported problems.
For a Nissan owner who keeps the vehicle for a full decade, the $5,935 estimate offers a useful planning figure. It is not a guaranteed invoice and does not include accident repairs, insurance, fuel, or depreciation.
Still, staying below $6,000 in cumulative maintenance and repair spending places Nissan in a favorable position compared with the luxury brands at the expensive end of Consumer Reports’ full table.
7. Ford
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $5,950
Ford’s estimated decade-long maintenance and repair expense is $5,950, just $15 more than Nissan. The underlying estimate includes approximately $1,100 during the first five years and $4,850 during the next five.
That tiny difference between Ford and Nissan is almost insignificant when spread across 10 years, but the bigger story is the increase after the fifth year. Ford’s later ownership costs are more than four times its first-five-year figure.
Consumer Reports says maintenance costs generally rise as vehicles age. Once warranties and complimentary maintenance periods disappear, owners become responsible for a larger share of repairs and replacement components.
Ford’s position also needs to be considered alongside its broad U.S. lineup. The company sells everything from compact vehicles to large pickups and SUVs, so individual models can have very different service requirements. A brand-level figure cannot predict what a particular Ford will cost.
Consumer Reports’ reliability study placed Ford 11th among brands in 2025, with a predicted reliability score of 48.
The $5,950 maintenance figure is therefore best treated as a broad benchmark rather than a promise.
For buyers who want a vehicle they can keep for a decade, Ford’s result is still notable. Its projected maintenance and repair bill remains below $6,000, putting it firmly among the more affordable brands in the Consumer Reports dataset and far below the costs associated with premium European marques.
8. Mazda
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $6,020
Mazda crosses the $6,000 threshold with an estimated $6,020 in maintenance and repair expenses over 10 years. Consumer Reports estimates approximately $1,500 during the first five years and $4,520 during the following five.
Unlike some brands above it, Mazda’s first five years already account for a relatively substantial portion of the eventual total. Yet the second five years still cost roughly three times as much.
The result puts Mazda only $70 above Ford, demonstrating how little separates many mainstream brands in the lower half of the ranking. A buyer choosing between them should therefore consider model reliability, purchase price, and other ownership expenses rather than making a decision based solely on the $70 difference.
Consumer Reports’ separate reliability study ranked Mazda 14th in 2025, with a predicted reliability score of 43. That reliability result is a separate measurement from the maintenance-cost figure.
This distinction matters because the maintenance ranking represents reported spending, while reliability measures reported problems and is used to predict future reliability.
Mazda’s $6,020 total excludes collision repair and other ownership costs. Actual expenses will also depend on mileage, driving conditions, and the specific vehicle.
For a U.S. shopper planning a decade of ownership, however, Mazda’s position remains relatively favorable. The brand is only slightly above the $6,000 mark and sits far below the five-figure maintenance bills recorded by several luxury manufacturers.
9. Chevrolet
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $6,050
Chevrolet’s estimated 10-year maintenance and repair bill is $6,050, with approximately $1,200 spent during the first five years and $4,850 during years six through 10.
That puts Chevrolet just $30 above Mazda and $100 above Ford, showing how tightly clustered the costs are among several major U.S. brands.
Chevrolet’s broad lineup makes the figure especially important to interpret carefully. A small crossover, full-size pickup and large SUV can have very different maintenance requirements, so the brand average cannot represent every Chevrolet model equally.
Consumer Reports says its calculations are based on member-reported out-of-pocket spending for maintenance and repairs. Collision-related costs are excluded, as are other expenses that form part of vehicle ownership.
The later years account for most of Chevrolet’s projected bill. That is consistent with CR’s finding that maintenance and repair expenses tend to rise as vehicles age. Components that are relatively trouble-free during the early ownership period can eventually require replacement as mileage accumulates.
Chevrolet ranked 17th in Consumer Reports’ 2025 predicted reliability study, with a score of 42. That number should not be confused with the $6,050 maintenance estimate because the two measurements answer different questions.
For someone planning to keep a Chevrolet for a decade, the $6,050 figure is still useful. It suggests a relatively manageable maintenance burden compared with the much higher costs associated with brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Land Rover.
10. Honda
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $6,130
Honda’s projected 10-year maintenance and repair spending is $6,130, including approximately $1,545 during the first five years and $4,585 during years six through 10.
Honda therefore sits only $80 above Chevrolet. That small difference is easy to overlook, but Honda’s reliability credentials add another dimension to the comparison. Consumer Reports ranked Honda fourth among brands in its 2025 predicted reliability study, with a score of 59.
That does not mean Honda owners will necessarily spend less than the $6,130 estimate. Maintenance costs depend on mileage, vehicle type, tires, brakes, fluids and unexpected repairs. A high-mileage SUV can naturally require different work from a lightly driven sedan.
The Consumer Reports maintenance analysis is also based on what owners actually reported spending, rather than simply calculating the price of a manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance plan. Collision repairs were not included.
Honda’s first-five-year cost is somewhat higher than several brands above it, but its second-five-year estimate remains relatively controlled at $4,585.
For long-term buyers, that combination makes Honda an interesting case. The brand is not the cheapest in the ranking, yet its predicted reliability is considerably stronger than many competitors.
The $6,130 decade-long estimate therefore needs to be viewed alongside reliability, not in isolation. For a buyer intending to keep a vehicle for many years, both the likelihood of problems and the money spent addressing them matter.
11. Jeep
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $6,470
Jeep’s estimated maintenance and repair cost reaches $6,470 over 10 years, with approximately $1,220 during the first five years and $5,250 during years six through 10.
The second half of ownership is particularly important here. Jeep’s $5,250 estimate for years six through 10 is one of the larger later-period figures among the first 12 brands, accounting for more than 80 percent of the total.
That pattern illustrates why a vehicle’s early ownership experience can sometimes be misleading. A Jeep that requires relatively little work while newer may become more expensive to maintain as it accumulates age and mileage. Consumer Reports specifically warns that maintenance and repair costs tend to increase as vehicles get older.
The brand’s reliability picture also deserves attention. Consumer Reports ranked Jeep 24th in its 2025 predicted reliability study, with a score of 28.
Reliability and maintenance cost are not identical measurements, but considering both gives a buyer more useful context than either number alone.
Jeep’s $6,470 figure remains far below the decade-long expenses reported for premium European brands. Still, someone planning to keep a Jeep for 10 years should budget for higher expenses in the later ownership period.
The specific model remains crucial. Different Jeep vehicles use different drivetrains, engines, and suspension systems, so actual repair needs can vary significantly.
12. Kia
10-year maintenance and repair cost: $6,500
Kia rounds out these 12 brands with an estimated $6,500 in maintenance and repair costs over 10 years. Consumer Reports’ figures show approximately $1,700 during the first five years and $4,800 during years six through 10.
Kia’s $1,700 first-five-year figure is the highest among the first 12 brands, but its second-five-year estimate is lower than Jeep’s. That gives the brand a different cost pattern from some of its competitors.
The $6,500 total is still relatively moderate when compared with the most expensive brands in Consumer Reports’ complete ranking. Land Rover, for example, reaches $17,450, while Porsche reaches $16,000 and Mercedes-Benz reaches $13,100.
That means the difference between Kia and Land Rover is $10,950 over 10 years, a gap large enough to become a major part of a household’s ownership budget.
Kia’s reliability result also provides additional context. Consumer Reports ranked Kia 10th in its 2025 predicted reliability study, with a score of 49.
As with every brand in this comparison, the $6,500 number is an estimate based on owner-reported maintenance and repair spending, not a guaranteed future bill. Collision repairs are excluded, and individual models can perform differently.
Kia’s position also reinforces a broader finding from Consumer Reports. Long-term ownership costs can differ by thousands of dollars from one brand to another. For buyers intending to keep a vehicle for ten years, those potential savings or added expenses are worth considering before completing the purchase.
