Car repair and maintenance isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns. It’s one of the biggest drivers of your total cost of ownership, and in 2025, that cost is under more pressure than ever. Parts prices, labor rates, and insurance have all climbed, while at the same time electric vehicles (EVs) are quietly slashing maintenance for drivers who make the switch. Understanding how car repair and maintenance really works today is the difference between a predictable ownership experience and a constant stream of expensive surprises.
Quick context for 2025
AAA’s 2025 "Your Driving Costs" report pegs average new-vehicle ownership at about $11,500 per year, with maintenance, repair, and tires making up a meaningful slice of that. Meanwhile, recent analyses show EVs typically cut maintenance spending by 30–50% compared with similar gas cars over a vehicle’s life.
Why car repair and maintenance matter in 2025
When people talk about car costs, they tend to focus on the monthly payment and maybe insurance. In reality, repair and maintenance are where a lot of the long‑term pain, or savings, shows up. Insurance.com’s 2025 ownership analysis, for example, finds average drivers spending roughly the mid‑$300s to mid‑$400s per year on repairs alone, with bad roads in some states adding hundreds more in damage and wear each year.
Layer that on top of inflation in parts and labor, and you start to see why even a modest surprise repair can derail a budget. The flip side: owners who stick to a smart maintenance schedule, address small issues early, and choose lower‑maintenance vehicles (especially EVs) often spend thousands less over 5–10 years than people who treat maintenance as an afterthought.
Think like a fleet manager
Commercial fleets obsess over total cost per mile, not just the purchase price. If you apply that mindset to your personal car, tracking maintenance, choosing vehicles with lower repair risk, and keeping receipts, you’ll make much better decisions when it’s time to repair, trade, or upgrade.
Car repair and maintenance: 2025 snapshot
How much car repair and maintenance really costs
There’s no single "right" number, but you can get in the right ballpark. Broadly speaking, if you drive a typical gas car in the U.S., plan on $1,000–$1,500 per year for maintenance and repairs over the life of the vehicle. EVs usually come in lower, often closer to $500–$1,000 per year, especially during their warranty years.
Gasoline car: typical annual costs
- Routine maintenance: Oil changes, filters, spark plugs, fluids: roughly $400–$700/year depending on mileage.
- Wear items: Tires, brakes, wiper blades, bulbs: another $300–$500/year averaged over several years.
- Unexpected repairs: Sensors, cooling system, exhaust, etc.: expect $300–$600/year over time.
Put together, many owners land in the $900–$1,800/year range once the vehicle is out of its initial warranty window.
EV: typical annual costs
- Routine maintenance: No oil changes; mostly tire rotations and inspections, often $150–$300/year.
- Wear items: Tires and wiper blades dominate; regen braking slows brake wear.
- Unexpected repairs: Less frequent drivetrain work, but collision or battery‑adjacent repairs can be pricey.
Several 2024–2025 studies peg EV maintenance costs 30–50% lower than gas cars, even if insurance is higher.
Insurance vs. maintenance
EVs often have lower maintenance costs but higher insurance premiums, in part because collision repairs, especially those involving the battery, are more complex. When you compare gas vs. EV, look at the full ownership picture, not just one line item.
Core maintenance schedule: gas vs. EV
Every car has a recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual. That’s your starting point, not whatever a quick‑lube coupon says this month. Here’s how the fundamentals break down for modern gas cars and EVs.
Typical service intervals (modern vehicles)
Always verify against your owner’s manual; these are ballpark ranges.
Gas car: typical intervals
- Engine oil & filter: Every 5,000–10,000 miles on modern synthetic‑oil engines.
- Air filter: Around 15,000–30,000 miles.
- Cabin filter: 15,000–30,000 miles or every 1–2 years.
- Transmission fluid: Often 30,000–60,000+ miles (some are "lifetime" but still benefit from changes).
- Spark plugs: 60,000–100,000 miles depending on plug type.
- Coolant & brake fluid: Roughly every 3–5 years.
EV: typical intervals
- Tire rotation: Every 6,000–8,000 miles; EVs are heavy and torquey, so don’t skip this.
- Cabin air filter: Every 2 years (more often in dusty or polluted areas).
- Brake fluid: Often every 2–3 years, even with regenerative braking.
- Coolant: Many EVs use coolant for batteries and power electronics; intervals vary widely.
- Software updates: Handled over‑the‑air on most EVs, but it’s still maintenance, updates can fix issues and improve efficiency.
One simple rule
If your service advisor’s recommendation doesn’t match what’s in your owner’s manual or manufacturer app, ask them to explain the difference. Often you’ll discover upsells you don’t actually need on a modern car.
Preventive maintenance checklist you should actually follow
You don’t need a mechanic’s toolbox to stay ahead of most issues. What you do need is a short, realistic checklist you’ll actually stick to. Here’s a practical baseline for both gas cars and EVs.
Minimal preventive maintenance for busy owners
1. Monthly: tires and warning lights
Walk around the car once a month. Look for uneven tire wear, bulges, or cords showing; check tire pressures using the in‑car readout or a cheap gauge. Don’t ignore new warning lights, especially check‑engine, ABS, airbag, or battery alerts.
2. Every 6 months: fluids and wipers
For gas cars, check oil level, coolant reservoir, and washer fluid. For EVs, focus on washer fluid and coolant level if your manual allows owner checks. Replace streaky wiper blades before winter or heavy rainy seasons.
3. Every 6,000–8,000 miles: rotation and inspection
Rotate tires and ask for a basic inspection of suspension, brakes, and underbody. This is especially important on EVs, which can eat through tires faster if you drive aggressively.
4. Every 1–2 years: alignment and cabin filter
Have the alignment checked after big pothole hits or curb strikes, and at least every 1–2 years. Replace the cabin air filter regularly to keep HVAC efficient and cut odors, an easy DIY on many cars.
5. Before road trips: brake feel and charging/starting
A week before a long drive, test brake feel, listen for grinding or squealing, and confirm your 12‑V battery or high‑voltage system is healthy. For EVs, double‑check fast‑charging access along your route.
6. After any accident: structural and high‑voltage check
Even minor collisions can hide suspension or structural damage. For EVs, choose a shop certified to handle high‑voltage systems; improper repairs can be unsafe and more expensive later.
The compounding effect
Preventive maintenance doesn’t just avoid breakdowns, it also protects resale value. A well‑documented service history can easily be worth thousands of dollars when you sell or trade, and it’s exactly what marketplaces like Recharged look for when evaluating used EVs.
Common car repairs, and when to fix or ignore
Not every recommended repair is urgent. Some are safety‑critical, some are "soon," and some are essentially optional. The trick is knowing which is which so you can prioritize your budget without gambling with your safety.
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Common repairs and how to think about them
Use this as a decision aid, not a substitute for a trusted technician’s advice.
| Repair | Typical symptoms | Urgency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads & rotors | Squealing, grinding, soft pedal, longer stopping distances | Critical | Don’t delay, brakes are safety‑critical on both gas cars and EVs. |
| Tires | Low tread, cracks, vibration, hydroplaning | Critical / Soon | Worn tires dramatically increase stopping distance, especially in wet or snowy weather. |
| Suspension components | Clunks over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tire wear | Soon | Usually not an immediate emergency but can snowball into tire and alignment costs. |
| 12‑V battery | Slow cranking, random warning lights, no‑start | Soon | ICE cars and EVs both rely on the 12‑V system; a weak battery can strand you. |
| Check‑engine light (solid) | May drive normally, light stays on | Soon | Often emissions‑related; you can usually drive short‑term but should diagnose promptly. |
| Check‑engine light (blinking) | Rough running, power loss | Critical | Can indicate misfire; continued driving may damage the catalytic converter or engine. |
| Cosmetic body damage | Dents, scrapes, faded paint | Optional | Mostly a resale‑value and personal‑preference decision unless rust is involved. |
| Infotainment/software issues | Glitches, slow screen, Bluetooth problems | Optional / Soon | Annoying more than dangerous; many EV and modern‑car issues can be fixed via updates. |
If you’re ever unsure whether a repair can wait, ask the shop to rate urgency on a scale from 1 (safety‑critical now) to 3 (monitor).
When "optional" isn’t really optional
If a shop tells you a repair can wait but your car can’t pass a state safety inspection or emissions test without it, you’re effectively on a clock. Budget for the fix now rather than assuming you’ll squeeze another year out of it.
EV maintenance advantages and what still goes wrong
From a maintenance perspective, EVs are refreshingly boring. There’s no engine oil, no spark plugs, no exhaust, and far fewer moving parts overall. Studies in 2024–2025 consistently show EVs costing roughly 30–50% less to maintain than comparable gas cars over their first decade of life. That’s before you factor in fuel savings.
Where EVs save you money, and where they don’t
Lower routine maintenance doesn’t mean zero maintenance.
Big win: fewer wear items
Watch: tires and suspension
Manage: collision & battery risk
What about battery degradation?
Real‑world data suggests modern EV batteries lose roughly 1–3% of capacity per year in typical use. Most drivers sell or trade long before a pack becomes unusable, and 8–10‑year battery warranties provide a buffer against early failures.
DIY vs. shop: how to decide
There’s a romantic idea that doing all your own maintenance is the cheapest path. For some owners, that’s true. For most, the right answer is a mix: a few simple DIY tasks plus a trusted shop for everything involving safety, high‑voltage systems, or warranty coverage.
Great DIY candidates
- Wiper blades and washer fluid: Easy, cheap, and hard to mess up.
- Cabin air filter: Often accessible behind the glove box with basic tools.
- Tire pressure checks: Use the in‑car readout or a handheld gauge; top up at home or a station.
- Basic OBD‑II scans on gas cars: A $30 scanner can clarify check‑engine codes before you visit a shop.
If you’re meticulous, documenting DIY work with dated receipts and photos can still support resale value.
Leave these to the pros
- Brake system work: Mistakes here have obvious safety consequences.
- High‑voltage EV repairs: Only trained, certified techs should touch orange‑cabled components.
- Airbag, ADAS, and alignment: Modern safety systems require calibration equipment you don’t have in a driveway.
- Warranty‑relevant work: If a repair might affect warranty coverage, let a shop with proper documentation handle it.
Think of a good shop as an insurance policy against expensive mistakes, and as a partner in protecting your car’s value.
Planning a realistic repair and maintenance budget
Budgeting for car repair and maintenance is less about predicting the exact bill, and more about avoiding surprises. The goal is to put aside enough that a $1,000 repair is annoying, not catastrophic.
Build a maintenance budget in 5 steps
1. Start with $0.06–$0.10 per mile
For a modern gas car, budgeting 6–10 cents per mile for maintenance and repairs is a solid baseline. At 12,000 miles per year, that’s $720–$1,200 annually. EVs often land closer to the low end of that range.
2. Adjust for vehicle age and type
Cars in their first 3 years mainly need routine service; 7–12‑year‑old vehicles see more wear‑related repairs. Performance models, luxury brands, and big SUVs usually demand more cash than a mainstream hatchback or compact EV.
3. Separate "must‑do" from "nice‑to‑have"
Oil changes, tires, and brakes are non‑negotiable. Cosmetic fixes, upgraded wheels, or new infotainment are wants, not needs. Label them that way in your budget.
4. Use a dedicated savings bucket
Whether it’s a bank sub‑account or a simple spreadsheet, track every maintenance and repair bill. Aim to build a buffer equal to at least 3–6 months of your typical car expenses.
5. Let the data inform your next car
If your current car is consistently consuming more than you budget for, that’s a signal. When the time comes to replace it, look for lower‑maintenance options, this is where used EVs can shine.
Leaning into used EV savings
With used EV prices down sharply compared with a few years ago, many buyers can now trade a high‑maintenance gas car for a lower‑maintenance EV without increasing their monthly spend, especially when you factor in fuel savings.
Car repair and maintenance FAQ
Frequently asked questions about car repair and maintenance
How Recharged helps with lower-maintenance ownership
If you’re looking at your current repair bills and wondering whether it’s time for a different kind of car, you’re not alone. The best place to attack long‑term maintenance costs is at the vehicle‑selection stage, and that’s exactly where Recharged focuses.
- Every vehicle listed on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health, so you’re not guessing about the single most expensive component on an EV.
- You get fair market pricing informed by real‑world data, helping you avoid overpaying for a car that will still need money spent on wear items.
- Our EV specialists can talk through expected repair and maintenance costs for specific models based on your mileage, climate, and charging situation.
- Financing, trade‑in, instant offer or consignment, and nationwide delivery are all handled in a fully digital experience, with an in‑person Experience Center in Richmond, VA if you prefer to talk things through.
Turn repair anxiety into a plan
Instead of reacting to the next surprise bill, you can choose a vehicle with predictably low maintenance needs, understand its service schedule from day one, and line that up with your budget. That’s the ownership experience Recharged is built to support.
Car repair and maintenance will never be anyone’s favorite part of ownership, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery, or a constant financial gut punch. Understand what your car actually needs, distinguish urgent repairs from nice‑to‑have fixes, and choose vehicles that don’t fight you on maintenance costs in the first place. Whether that means keeping a well‑maintained gas car on the road or moving into a used EV with verified battery health, a little structure in your approach will pay you back every mile you drive.
