What Are Some Cars That Have Low Repair Costs?

Last Updated on December 14, 2025

Car repairs can be a nasty surprise. A vehicle might seem affordable to buy and insure — then hit you with pricey parts, long labor times, or high-tech components that are expensive to calibrate after even minor damage.

The good news: some cars are consistently cheaper to maintain and repair than others. And it’s not just “domestic vs. foreign” — what matters most is reliability, parts availability, how common the model is, and how complex the vehicle is to fix.

Below are popular picks that tend to have low repair and maintenance costs. Use this list as a starting point, then price-check common services (brakes, tires, battery, oil changes) at local shops near you — because labor rates and parts pricing can vary a lot by ZIP code.

Key Takeaways

“Cheap to repair” usually means reliable, common models with widely available parts — not just “domestic vs. foreign.”
Consistent low-cost picks include the Toyota Corolla/Camry and Honda Civic/Accord because repairs are typically straightforward and parts are easy to source.
Hybrids like the Prius can be inexpensive day-to-day, but long-term owners should plan for the possibility of a hybrid battery replacement.
The best way to avoid expensive surprises is to check local labor rates, price common services, and get a pre-purchase inspection on used cars.

Table Of Contents

What “Low Repair Costs” Really Means
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic
Honda Accord
Honda CR-V
Honda Odyssey
Nissan Pathfinder
Ford Mustang
Chevrolet Spark
Volkswagen Jetta
Kia Soul
Hyundai Sonata
Ford Edge
Toyota Camry
Other Solid Picks for Low Repair Costs
FAQs on Cars With Cheap Repair Costs
Final Word on Cars With Cheap Repair Costs

What “Low Repair Costs” Really Means

When people say a car is “cheap to repair,” they usually mean it has a combination of (1) fewer unexpected breakdowns, (2) widely available parts, and (3) straightforward repairs that most shops can handle.

Also, remember the difference between maintenance (routine items like oil, filters, brakes, tires, fluids) and repairs (fixing something that failed). Many cars are affordable on routine maintenance but get expensive when a major component fails.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a classic “low cost of ownership” car. It’s common, reliable, and easy to service — which keeps parts and labor costs competitive.

For many owners, the Corolla’s biggest advantage is predictability: routine services are straightforward, and major surprises are less common than with many other compact cars. If you’re trying to control total ownership costs, it’s one of the safest bets on the road.

For more ways to lower overall vehicle spending (not just repairs), see: repair and maintenance costs.

Toyota Prius

There’s a reason so many rideshare drivers choose the Prius: it’s fuel-efficient and tends to be inexpensive to keep running year after year.

The biggest long-term “watch item” is the hybrid system — if you keep a Prius long enough, you may eventually face a costly battery replacement. Many owners still come out ahead overall thanks to fuel savings and generally strong reliability.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars in America — and that popularity helps keep repair costs down. Parts are easy to find, most mechanics know the platform well, and routine services are usually affordable.

If you want a low-drama compact car with a strong track record, the Civic is a consistent choice for low repair and maintenance costs.

Honda Accord

The Accord tends to deliver the same “easy to live with” ownership experience as the Civic, just in a larger sedan. Because it’s so common, repairs are usually straightforward and parts are widely available.

If you want a midsize car that’s often cheaper to maintain than many competitors in its class, the Accord is a strong value pick.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a go-to compact SUV for a reason: it’s practical, widely sold, and generally affordable to service.

Compared to many small and midsize SUVs loaded with expensive-to-repair tech, the CR-V often stays on the “reasonable” side when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance.

Honda Odyssey

The Odyssey is one of the safest and most popular minivans in America, and it’s also a solid pick for owners who want predictable repair costs.

Because it’s a high-volume vehicle with a long production history, parts availability is strong, and most shops are comfortable servicing it, which helps keep costs in check.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row crossover that can deliver competitive repair costs compared to many other midsize SUVs — especially if you keep up with routine maintenance and address small issues early.

As with any family SUV, costs can vary a lot by model year and trim level, so it’s smart to check service history (for used vehicles) and get a pre-purchase inspection before you buy.

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang isn’t the cheapest car on this list to maintain, but it can be surprisingly reasonable compared to many other performance cars.

Because the Mustang has been produced in high volume for decades, parts and service expertise are widely available. If you want “fun” without exotic-car repair bills, it’s often a more affordable sports car to own.

Chevrolet Spark

The Chevrolet Spark can be a low-cost ownership vehicle — but keep one important detail in mind: it’s no longer sold new in the U.S., so this is primarily a used-car option.

If you find a well-maintained Spark with a clean inspection, it can be a budget-friendly way to get low running costs and simple repairs — especially compared to many newer vehicles with expensive sensors and electronics.

Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen cars aren’t always known for rock-bottom repair costs, but the Jetta often holds its own thanks to strong availability and a long history in the U.S. market.

If you like the way the Jetta drives but still want a reasonably affordable sedan to service, it’s one of the more practical options among European-branded vehicles. It can also be one of the cheapest cars to own overall, depending on how you buy and how you drive.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a practical, easy-to-live-with vehicle that can deliver low repair costs and strong value over time — especially for drivers who want a small footprint with a roomy interior.

As always, stay current on maintenance and check for open recalls before buying (especially if you’re shopping used).

Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is often a strong “value sedan” pick: comfortable, feature-rich for the money, and typically competitive on repair and maintenance costs compared to other midsize cars.

To keep ownership costs low, prioritize a clean service history, keep up with fluids and wear items, and avoid putting off small issues (because small issues can become big bills).

Ford Edge

The Ford Edge can be reasonably priced to maintain for a midsize SUV — but like the Spark, it’s trending toward the used market because the model is being phased out.

If you’re shopping for an Edge, focus on condition and maintenance history. And because SUVs can vary widely by trim (wheels, brakes, sensors, cameras), compare repair pricing on the exact version you’re considering.

Toyota Camry

Toyota, like Honda, has a long-standing reputation for reliability and affordability. The newest Toyota Camry models continue to be a strong choice for owners who want low repair costs without sacrificing comfort.

If you want a midsize sedan with predictable ownership expenses, the Camry is one of the most consistent “low repair cost” options in the U.S.

Other Solid Picks for Low Repair Costs

If you want a few more common models that often come up in “cheap to maintain” conversations, consider compact cars like the Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte. They’re widely available, and many trims are relatively straightforward to service.

FAQs on Cars With Cheap Repair Costs

What makes one car cheaper to repair than another?

The biggest drivers are reliability (how often things break), parts availability (how common and affordable parts are), labor complexity (how long repairs take), and how much high-tech equipment needs calibration. Common models with long production runs are often cheaper to repair because parts and expertise are everywhere.

Are Toyotas and Hondas always the cheapest to maintain?

Not always, but many Toyota and Honda models consistently rank well because they’re reliable and extremely common in the U.S. That combination usually means fewer surprise repairs and lower parts/labor costs. Always compare by model, year, and trim — a higher-end trim can cost more to fix.

Do low repair costs also mean cheaper car insurance?

Sometimes, but not guaranteed. Cars that cost less to repair can be cheaper to insure (especially for collision and comprehensive), but insurance pricing also depends heavily on driver factors, location, claim frequency for that model, theft rates, and injury claim history. The only reliable way to know is to compare quotes.

Are hybrids expensive to repair?

Hybrids can be affordable to maintain day-to-day, and many are very reliable. The main long-term cost risk is the hybrid battery or other hybrid-system components. If you plan to keep a hybrid for many years, it’s smart to budget for that possibility and understand what’s covered by warranty.

Should I buy an extended warranty to avoid repair costs?

It depends. Extended warranties can help if you buy an expensive-to-repair vehicle or you want predictable costs, but they aren’t always worth the price. Before buying one, read exclusions, deductibles, and what repairs are actually covered, and compare the warranty cost to your realistic repair risk.

How can I research repair costs before buying a car?

Start by checking reliability ratings and typical annual repair costs, then call local repair shops for pricing on common services (brakes, tires, battery, oil changes). For used cars, a pre-purchase inspection is one of the best investments you can make to avoid buying a problem vehicle.

Final Word on Cars With Cheap Repair Costs

Picking a car with low repair costs is one of the easiest ways to save money long-term. In many cases, cars that are inexpensive to maintain can also have cheap car insurance — but always compare quotes because insurance pricing can vary wildly by company and driver.

Before you buy, compare real-world maintenance costs, check reliability history, and get a pre-purchase inspection for used vehicles. That small upfront step can prevent the most expensive “surprise repairs” later.