Regular car maintenance typically involves things like an oil change service, tire rotation, and the replacement of certain parts like air filters.
The older the car gets, the more items are involved with maintaining it. The average driver spends about $12,000 per year to own and operate a new car.
How Car Ownership Costs Add Up
The costs of owning a car include things like gas, regular maintenance services, repair costs, car insurance, and even little things like car washes. The average driver pays close to $2,300 per year for full coverage car insurance. If you drive a newer vehicle, you’re likely getting your oil changed every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Over half of drivers wouldn’t pay over $1,000 for an emergency expense using their savings.
According to AAA, the costs of owning a car have gone up. In 2023, drivers paid an average of $12,182 in various expenses for their new cars. That number is up $1,454 from the previous year. The reasons for the increase include more expensive vehicle prices, more expensive car insurance, and higher prices at the pump. Supply chain issues have also made repair costs more expensive for some vehicles.
Average Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Drivers are now averaging nearly 10 cents per mile for maintenance, repairs, and tire replacement. This estimate from an AAA study assumes 15,000 miles driven per year. Your own total cost for maintenance may vary considerably depending on several factors. One thing is clear, you won’t save money by not taking your car in for regular maintenance. Avoiding it could result in more expensive issues for your car down the line.
In fact, catching issues before they get worse can save you a lot of money in the long run. If your car is leaking fluid or making a strange noise, it’s better to get it checked out right away instead of waiting for something to break. Regular maintenance can also help preserve the value of your vehicle when you go to sell it.
What Is Routine Maintenance?
Routine maintenance includes the various services your car needs to keep it running properly. By extension, it also keeps you and your passengers safe on the road. Maintenance costs typically increase on a vehicle with age. If you have a new car, you’re likely to need an oil change service every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. The expected cost for this is between $35 and $125.
You’ll generally need your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, so roughly with every oil change service. This can cost between $60 and $72. Brake pad replacement typically happens every 10,000 to 20,000 miles and costs between $150 to $300 per axle. Again, these costs can vary widely. For example, if you have rear drum brakes on your vehicle, you won’t be changing those as often as disc brakes.
The most expensive vehicles to maintain include half-ton pickups, midsize pickups, and luxury vehicles. Small sedans are the cheapest to maintain. The best way to keep maintenance costs low is to address issues as soon as they appear.
