Top 5 Least Expensive Vehicles To Maintain Where Toyota Did Not Make the Cut

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Here is a list of the least expensive cars to maintain released by a garage based on their work order data from customers and what they paid. Plus, the real reason why Toyota did not make the cut.

From the same garage that provided car shoppers with their list of the most expensive cars to maintain based on what their customers paid over the past two years, they did a promised follow-up revealing the least costly models they experienced in the garage.

Where the Data Came From and How It Was Used

According to the host of the Royalty Auto Service YouTube channel:

"We took all the data from the last two years that we worked on, how many vehicles we worked on out of each car line, and divided that into how much money was spent on those vehicles.

Related article: The Truth on Why Some Cars Are Reliable and Others Are Not

We then took the car lines that would be associated with each other. For instance, Nissan Infiniti, Honda Acura, Toyota, Lexus. If the average repair order was really close, then we put them in one car line. If they were far apart, then we separated them. There were none that were far apart on this one.

At the end of the video, I am going to give you two notables that didn't make the list. They were kind of surprising―one of them anyway―and I'm going to give you my reactions to the list."

The Value of This List and Video

  • The value of the host's approach is that it is based more on the practical side of ownership―what you can expect in cost from multiple makes as long as they are maintained and cared for, as witnessed by the mechanics who did the repairs.
  • Furthermore, if you own one of these makes or are considering buying one, pay special attention to the video's comments sections, where owners of models within these makes provide some useful owner-experienced views.

The video posted below is recommended. However, a summary is provided below the video if you prefer.

Ranking The Top 5 Least Expensive Vehicles To Maintain That We Work On At Our Shop!

 

Top 5 Least Expensive Vehicles To Maintain Summary

#5. Nissan Infinity―Out of 273 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $866.68. The host points out that, overall, Nissans are a good vehicle, but they are a little harder to work on compared to other makes and, as a result, are billed higher. The CVT is the biggest problem with sensor issues in the valve body for some years of the Infinity.

#4. Subaru―Out of 134 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $824.89. "There are some issues with these vehicles that we see―wheel hubs, transmission…wheel hubs are very prevalent on these. The transmissions are somewhat," states the host, adding that head gasket problems are an issue too but that they have not experienced many of those kinds of repairs on Subaru models.

#3. Honda Accura―Out of 525 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $715.49. The Accura is less expensive because it may have some issues, but they are fixable; the transmission is a good example of this. The other plus, when it comes to maintenance and repairs, is that it is an easily accessible engine to work on. "There's really not a whole lot of bad to say about Honda Accura other than that some years back between 2008, 2014, and 2016, they did have some engine issues with their V6s."

#2. Kia and Hyundai―Out of 312 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $702.21. However, the host explains there is a caveat to this surprising find: "We see a lot of major problems with these engines," states the host, warning consumers that despite the observed lower cost of repairs and maintenance, the numbers are skewed in their favor only because engine issues are so bad and happen so soon that engine replacement is still under the warranty period. The other factor is that once the car is past the warranty period and an engine replacement issue arises, most owners junk the vehicle and buy a new one. This means what should be expensive repair numbers that would remove them from the list is the fact that those repairs are never done when the engine dies after the warranty period. "We see a lot of declined repairs on these vehicles because they are not worth fixing."

#1. Mazda―Out of 85 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $457.46. "What we see with these cars is not a whole lot. I mean, we basically just do maintenance on them, and you know that's really about it―just maintenance work," states the host, who adds on a lot of praise for how well the Mazda's they see (and his wife personally owns) that earned the number one least expensive car on their new list based on two years of garage work order data.

"My only problem―and you know I give my wife a hard time about this one because she would love to take this car on trips―I just don't think they're comfortable to drive. I think the seats are uncomfortable. But for me, it's like, you know my wife loves it, and you know, for me, having a seat be uncomfortable makes it a no deal. Because you know if you're getting in the car and going on a trip, you want to be comfortable. But as far as reliability goes, it's hard to beat…honestly."

Notable Findings the Host Wanted to Share (With Caveats)

#6. Mini Cooper―Out of 60 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $868.79. However, the Mini made by BMW has the same caveat as the Kia and Hyundai models: If the warranty covers engine replacement, then it gets replaced. If past warranty, the car is junked by owners, which is why the actual numbers can skew the repair comparison cost made with the other makes and models listed.

#7. Toyota Tundra and Lexus combined― Out of 715 vehicles worked on the past two years, the average work order bill was $873.30. Why these two did not make the list is for the opposite reason of why Kia and Hyundai made the list: They do so many more of these vehicles for repair than any other, but it is because they are so well made that owners are hanging onto them longer with much more mileage behind them, which translates to age-related repairs such as shocks, struts and other repairs like regular timing chain replacements they normally do not see needed with the younger cars. In other words, it skews the data if mixed in with all the rest, making it an unfair and inaccurate comparison.

For additional "Least"-related information about cars that will save you money, here are three to help you look for a reliable vehicle during your next car shopping search:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWritesas well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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