Top Ten Cheapest Cars to Maintain

New year, new you…new car? If you’re looking to buy a new set of wheels, it’s worth researching annual maintenance costs before you decide which model to go for.

Fortunately, WhoCanFixMyCar has all the information you need.

Contents

Methodology

Top ten cheapest cars to maintain

Methodology

This guide uses WhoCanFixMyCar's average quote data from 2023 for three aspects of car maintenance: full service, interim service and MOT.

We looked at the ten best-selling cars and the most popular used cars of 2023 to come up with the final top-ten list you see below.

Top ten cheapest cars to maintain

The increasingly popular Kia Sportage missed out on a place in our top ten, as did the Nissan Qashqai and, perhaps less surprisingly, the Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series.

1. Ford Puma

Not only was the Ford Puma - a small crossover that shares characteristics with the much loved Fiesta - the UK's best-selling car in 2023, but it was also the cheapest to maintain, with a total average price of £351.97. 

Out of the 17 cars we compared, it was the cheapest model for a full service, costing £183.22, though the Tesla Model Y beat it in the interim servicing category.

2. Tesla Model Y

In second place is the Model Y, a fully electric mid-size SUV that is becoming an increasingly common sight on British roads (and worldwide, for that matter). 

Boasting an impressively low total maintenance cost of £355.41, it proves that going electric might be good for our wallets as well as the planet. It was the cheapest car for an interim service, costing £120 on average.

3. Renault Clio

Now in its fifth generation, the Renault Clio looks more attractive than ever and has clearly been designed with quality in mind. A total maintenance price of £355.79 secured third place for the Clio, which costs £184.93 on average for a full service.

Find out about common problems with the Renault Clio here.

4. Volkswagen Polo

The VW Polo hardly needs an introduction - it's been popular with motorists since it was launched in 1975. It ticks all the boxes required for an excellent small car, providing a fun driving experience and decent interior space.

Plus, the Polo's maintenance costs are low enough to put it in fourth place, costing £357.50 on average in total. It's cheaper than Tesla's Model Y for a full service, with an average price of £185.61.

This guide discusses common problems with the Volkswagen Polo.

5. Vauxhall Corsa

Affordable to buy and popular with people of all ages, Vauxhall has found a winning combination in the Corsa. For a full and interim service and an MOT, it costs £358.91 on average, with less than £10 separating it from the top position on this list.

Read about common problems with the Vauxhall Corsa.

6. Toyota Yaris

Next up is the eco-conscious Toyota Yaris, which was a hybrid trailblazer back in the day. It has class-leading fuel economy, outstanding reliability and a very reasonable total maintenance cost of £360.49. It's one of the cheapest models for an interim service, costing £129.19 on average.

7. Ford Focus

The Ford Focus bagged seventh position with a total maintenance price of £363.20 - respectable, though not as impressive as its younger cousin, the Puma. Despite the Focus appearing much further down the list, the two models are separated by a difference of only £11.23.

Find out how reliable the Ford Focus is in this guide.

8. Hyundai Tucson

On to a more recent entry to the popular car scene: the Hyundai Tucson. Its spacious interior and smart design have made it a strong choice for families looking for a new SUV.

Not only is it well-made and packed with the latest tech, but it also has a low total maintenance cost of £363.39, missing out on seventh place by just 19 pence.

9. Nissan Juke

In ninth place is the Nissan Juke with a total average maintenance cost of £365.88. The original Juke was quirky and fun, ensuring it sold by the bucket load, and recent generations are better than ever, offering more space, more practicality and more tech.

This guide discusses common problems with the Nissan Juke.

10. Vauxhall Mokka

Last but not least is the Vauxhall Mokka, another SUV that proves bigger cars don't necessarily cost more to maintain than your average hatchback. It narrowly beat the Nissan Qashqai to tenth place with a total price of £369.29 and is the second most expensive model for an MOT after the Model Y.

Want to save money on car repairs and maintenance? You're in the right place!

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