If you’re wondering which cars are the cheapest to maintain, this guide will help you understand the key factors, real expenses, and the most relevant models of 2025.
Choosing a car is not only about design or engine power. Your family or business budget can be significantly affected by maintenance costs. If you’re wondering which cars are the cheapest to maintain, this guide will help you understand the key factors, real expenses, and the most relevant models of 2025.
In this article, we provide an honest analysis of vehicles with minimal repair and service expenses. We examine the average maintenance cost, compare spare parts prices and breakdown frequency, and explain when it’s more advantageous to consider car leasing or economy leasing instead of purchasing a vehicle outright.
While most buyers focus on the purchase price, few take into account the cost of car maintenance. In reality, it can account for 15–25% of a vehicle’s total value during the first three years of ownership.
The average maintenance cost depends on:
the price and availability of spare parts for maintenance;
breakdown frequency and repair complexity;
labor costs at service centers;
expenses for consumables (filters, oils, brakes).
When planning a purchase, it’s worth considering not only the car’s price but also how much it will cost to operate. This approach makes your choice more balanced and practical.
For Ukrainian drivers, the main criteria are vehicle reliability and simplicity of design. The fewer complex electronic components, the lower the car repair cost.
The leaders in affordability and ease of upkeep include:
Renault Logan / Sandero — easy to maintain, inexpensive spare parts, wide service network.
Skoda Fabia — reliable engine, low operating costs, and simple maintenance.
Toyota Corolla — minimal breakdowns and affordable servicing.
Hyundai i30 / Elantra — great balance between comfort and maintenance cost.
Dacia Duster — durable crossover with accessible service, even outside major cities.
These cheapest cars to maintain in Ukraine deliver consistent results: the average annual maintenance budget does not exceed 8,000–9,000 UAH.
To determine which car is the cheapest to maintain, we analyzed the average cost of regular servicing, repair frequency, and spare parts availability.
|
Model |
Average Annual Maintenance Cost (UAH) |
Spare Parts Price |
Reliability |
|
Renault Logan |
6,000 |
Low |
High |
|
Skoda Fabia |
7,500 |
Medium |
High |
|
Hyundai i30 |
8,000 |
Medium |
High |
|
Toyota Corolla |
9,000 |
Above Average |
Very High |
|
Dacia Duster |
8,500 |
Medium |
High |
Cars with simple engines, small displacement, and minimal electronic systems have the lowest maintenance costs. They tend to last longer and are significantly cheaper to service.
Even the cheapest cars to maintain require proper care. Here are a few practical ways to save money without compromising vehicle health:
Regular servicing. Skipping scheduled maintenance always costs more in the long run.
High-quality oils and filters. Extend the lifespan of the engine and transmission.
Verified spare parts. Avoid cheap counterfeits — they fail faster and cost more over time.
Expense planning. If you want to avoid surprise bills, consider operational leasing — service, insurance, and repairs are already included in the payment.
Following these steps can help reduce your annual maintenance expenses by 10–15%.
Renault Logan, Skoda Fabia, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, and Dacia Duster.
Yes. Cars with automatic gearboxes cost approximately 15–20% more to maintain.
Yes. Larger engines require more oil and higher-priced parts. Crossovers are usually more expensive to service than sedans.
Review official manufacturer websites, service center price lists, and owner feedback to find the average annual maintenance cost.
Yes — if serviced regularly. Even the cheapest cars to maintain can become costly if maintenance is neglected.
