Top 10 cheapest SUVs to maintain
Stephen Wright, 2 years ago
5 min read
- Advice
- cheap
WhoCanFixMyCar reveals the Top 10 cheapest SUVs to maintain in the UK today
There’s no denying the popularity of the SUV in the UK. The market is literally jam packed with what critics have dubbed "high-riding, family-friendly models that not only look good but make light work of the rough and tumble of modern life."
When it comes to choosing which model you want to drive, it’s easy to focus solely on the price of the car, but equal consideration needs to be given to how much your car is likely to cost to maintain, otherwise what seemed like a bargain buy may end up becoming a money pit in disguise.
That’s why the team at WhoCanFixMyCar have analysed all the SUVs on the road today to identify the used SUVs that will cost you the least to maintain each year in terms of average MOT, Full Service, Interim Service and Aircon Regas prices.
1. Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade was the first foray into the small SUV market by the legendary US brand, and the reception to its chunky off-road looks has been positive since it arrived on these shores a few years ago. And it’s not just in terms of sales where it performs. Its annual maintenance costs are also the cheapest of any of its rivals and in some instances dwarf those of city cars such as the Nissan Micra and Toyota Yaris. What’s not to like!
Cost: £369.14 per year*
2. Dacia Duster
If you’re looking for an SUV style car but the family finances won’t stretch to one of the more established brands, then the Dacia Duster (pictured below) is the perfect compromise. Practical and flexible, it’s also 'shockingly affordable' to maintain in terms of MOT and servicing, with only the Jeep Renegade proving cheaper on average, and then only by just over £10 per year.
Cost: £376.04 per year*
3. Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 is unquestionably distinctive, with its striking lines and high ride, making it really stand out on the road. A huge hit commercially in recent years, its low running costs have proven equally popular for budget conscious buyers, particularly for things such as a full service, where only the Dacia Duster is cheaper.
Cost: £385.12 per year*
4. Kia Sportage
One of the most popular SUVs of recent years, the Kia Sportage combines reliable engines, oodles of interior space, lots of technology as standard plus, of course, that all important seven-year warranty ensuring peace of mind during ownership. It’s also noticeably cheaper to maintain on average than its rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai.
Cost: £387.06 per year*
5. Ford Kuga
Bringing up the halfway point in our Top 10 is the Ford Kuga. Now on its third facelift since it was introduced to the UK, the Kuga has proved perennially popular thanks to its easy road handling, highly practical interior and overall good looks. It was also the cheapest of our SUVs to MOT with an average of £40.96.
Cost: £387.94 per year*
6. Nissan Qashqai
Designed to combine the agility and comfort of a hatchback with the practicality of an SUV, judging by the sheer number of Nissan Qashqai’s on the road today, plenty of drivers have been sold on this combination. So too it would seem have the judges based on the roster of awards it’s collected over the years. Highly competitive on servicing costs, the Qashqai (pictured below) only fell down when it came to average MOT and Aircon Regas prices.
Cost: £388.03 per year*
7. MINI Countryman
If we were judging our list purely on looks then the MINI Countryman would be right up there. It’s a fine-looking car. It’s also fun to drive and smacks of quality when you’re inside the cabin. Plus, it’s highly competitive in terms of annual maintenance costs. It’s certainly one to consider when thinking of the next used SUV to buy.
Cost: £393.07 per year*
8. Vauxhall Mokka
The Vauxhall Mokka (pictured above) is definitely within the small SUV category. Hugely popular since its inception and cheap to run, the Mokka’s overall maintenance costs are pretty comparable with the other models in our Top 10, with only the average cost of an interim service letting it down when analysing the thousands of jobs posted on the WhoCanFixMyCar website.
Cost: £393.32 per year*
9. Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan combines superb build quality with a spacious, practical interior, let down only by its high entry price (although that is somewhat offset by good residual values). Just like the Vauxhall Mokka, its average costs were on a par with the other models. The price of an Aircon Regas was the only fly in the ointment, which at £71.87 was the highest of all the models reviewed.
Cost: £400.10 per year*
10. Honda CR-V
Rounding off our top 10 is the Honda CR-V. A ground breaker when it first arrived over 20 years ago, its modern, family-friendly looks have continued to appeal ever since with every subsequent facelift. It also shapes up well in some aspects of maintenance, with just the average cost of a full service and interim service, the highest of our ten featured models, proving to be its Achilles Heel.
Cost: £403.95 per year*
*All prices based on the average cost for that model of an annual MOT, Full Service, Interim Service and Aircon Regas
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