When is a bargain not a bargain? The answer is when something looks like a great deal at the time you buy it, but the longer you own it, the less of a deal it becomes. Such is the case with the 20 vehicles on this list, which can literally suck the cash out of your bank account with each successive year of ownership.
To rank the cars that will require the most cash to keep running, the car-buyer advocacy site, CarEdge.com has compiled a comprehensive index of average 10-Year Maintenance and Repair Costs for models sold by both mainstream and brands, and we’re noting the 20 worst offenders below.
We’re including the projected 10-year costs below for each model cited, along with the probability each model will incur a major repair during that time, which the site defines as any service that costs more than $500. We’re also including insight on the cost of annual service visits over the course of a decade.
These costs are nothing to sniff at, as repair and maintenance charges can wind up being prohibitively major expenses as each vehicle ages. The spread between the cheapest vehicle to keep running, the Tesla Model 3, and the costliest one, the heavy-duty full-size Ram 3500 pickup truck amounts to a steep $22,257 over 10 years of ownership.
On the plus side, all new vehicles are sold with manufacturers’ warranties that cover the cost of covered repairs for the first few years of ownership. However, automakers require owners to take their vehicles in for scheduled maintenance at recommended intervals to keep this coverage in effect, with the cost depending on how many separate procedures the scheduled work entails.
Note that these are national averages. Actual expenses will depend upon whether work is performed at a local shop or at a new-vehicle dealership’s service department, with luxury brands usually charging the most for required maintenance and repair work to pay for the cost of loaner cars and other amenities. Local cost and availability of replacement parts, and technicians’ hourly labor rates also vary.
We’re revealing the 20 cheapest cars to maintain and repair in a separate post. In the meantime, here are the most expensive models to keep running for over a decade:
1. Ram 2500-5500
The heavy-duty versions of the full-size Ram pickup truck are built to tackle the toughest towing and hauling jobs. They’re also the costliest rides on the road to keep running.
- 10 year cost: $25,134-$25,844
- Annual costs: They start as high as $849 and jump all the way to $4,889 by year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 79.19% (the highest among all ranked models)
2. Porsche Cayenne
The midsize Porsche Cayenne lives up to its brand reputation as one of the sportiest SUVs on the market, with strong engine choices and tenacious handling. You’ll pay dearly on an ongoing basis for its performance capabilities.
- 10 year cost: $20,552
- Annual costs: This red-hot SUV’s charges stay below $2,000 for each of the first five years and hit $3,827 by year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 60.89%
3. Porsche Macan
Smaller sibling to the Cayenne, the compact Porsche Macan SUV is no slouch in the performance category, being infused with the brand’s DNA. It’s costlier to maintain and repair than Porsche’s actual sports cars, however.
- 10 year cost: $20,137
- Annual costs: Macan maintenance starts at $679 a year and costs really add up over time
- Chance of needing a major repair: 60.89%
4. Ram ProMaster City/Cargo Van
The Ram ProMaster City is a smallish commercial van that’s best for small businesses in urban areas. It will test the bottom line at these upkeep costs, however.
- 10 year cost: $19,870-$20,061
- Annual costs: By year five it will cost $1,513 to keep running, and reach more than twice that by year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 63.20%
5. BMW X6 M
This is the highest-performance version of the midsize BMW X6 SUV. It features a more sharply sloped coupe-like roofline than the X5 that sacrifices a slice of rear headroom and cargo space for the sake of style.
- 10 year cost: $18,900
- Annual costs: They start out stiff and skyrocket quickly from year 7, hitting $3,479 in year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
6. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
The Mercedes-Benz of large commercial vans comes in a variety of sizes and roof lengths to meet most business needs. The brand cachet takes its toll in higher maintenance and repair charges, however.
- 10 year cost: $18,634
- Annual costs: Profits suffer with annual costs as high $3,513 after a decade in use
- Chance of needing a major repair: 56.68%
7. BMW X7
The BMW X7 is the brand’s largest three-row SUV. It’s not especially flashy, but it’s reasonably sporty, with a choice of turbocharged V6 and V8 engines.
- 10 year cost: $18,550
- Annual costs: The first five years are cheapest, relatively speaking, at $658-$1,429
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
8. Porsche 911
This is the real deal among sports cars. The iconic 911 may be costly to purchase and own, but it’s top dog with uncanny performance and multiple iterations.
- 10 year cost: $18,231
- Annual costs: Fun takes a toll, with annual costs as high as $3,208 by year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 47.59%
9. Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover was the first real luxury SUV when it reached U.S. shores in the 1980s. Restyled for 2022 it remains posh and oddly off-road capable, though it will cost plenty to keep running.
- 10 year cost: $18,228
- Annual costs: You can feel like royalty, paying $735-$3,267 annually to keep this posh British SUV running
- Chance of needing a major repair: 49.63%
10. BMW X6
The more coupe-like alternative to the X5 SUV comes with four doors and a sharply raked roofline. It’s fun to drive but loses some rear headroom and cargo space in the process.
- 10 year cost: $18,148
- Annual costs: Nearly as costly to own as the sportier X6 M, topping out at $3,404 in its 10th year
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
11. Mercedes-Benz Metris Van
The compact stablemate to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Metris is likewise versatile, but can also be a budget-buster to maintain and repair.
- 10 year cost: $18,045
- Annual costs: Another profit-eating commercial van, the Metris really gets costly after six years on the road
- Chance of needing a major repair: 56.68%
12. BMW X3
Nearly as fun to drive as a 3 Series sedan, but with added practicality, the compact X3 SUV remains a costly choice among more-sedate luxury crossovers.
- 10 year cost: $17,771
- Annual costs: Lease an X3 to avoid bills that start at $1,120 in year four and hit $3,361 a half-dozen years later
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
13. Ram 1500
The full-size RAM 1500 is one of the more stylish pickup trucks, with a posh interior, especially in upper trims. There’s a choice of V6 and V8 engines, including the 702-horsepower supercharged V8 in the dune racer TRX trim.
- 10 year cost: $17,677
- Annual costs: Most expensive light-duty pickup sees its biggest jumps in year seven and beyond
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.80%
14. BMW X2
The subcompact BMW X2 is essentially the X1 with a more athletic-looking exterior. It’s enjoyable to drive, despite its lofty operating costs.
- 10 year cost: $17,602
- Annual costs: They triple over the first six years and only go up from there
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
15. BMW X1
The more traditionally styled of BMW’s smallest SUVs, the X1 combines elements of sportiness and practicality. Coming in front- or all-wheel-drive models, it’s powered by a turbo-four engine.
- 10 year cost: $17,516
- Annual costs: Smallest BMW SUV still takes a big bite, at as much as $3,341 annually after a decade
- Chance of needing a major repair: 54.61%
16. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
A bit smaller and livelier than the flagship Land Rover Range Rover, the Sport is likewise able to tackle the toughest trails. It likewise excels over paved roads, with a choice of turbocharged six-cylinder or supercharged V8 engines.
- 10 year cost: $16,989
- Annual costs: Keeping up appearances isn’t cheap, especially in later ownership years
- Chance of needing a major repair: 49.63%
17. Land Rover Range Rover Velar
The midsize Land Rover Range Rover Velar is expressively cast and can tackle the toughest trails while maintaining a smooth ride over paved roads. It comes well equipped and offers a choice of strong engines.
- 10 year cost: $16,755
- Annual costs: This smallish Land Rover still costs big, with costs topping out at $3,120 annually
- Chance of needing a major repair: 49.63%
18. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
With boxy styling that makes it look like the postal vehicle for some rich gated community, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV has a loyal following of upscale enthusiasts. The AMG version is the fastest choice, but even the base model is costly any way you look at it.
- 10 year cost: $16,561
- Annual costs: Neither cheap to buy or maintain, the latter starts at $721 and reaches $2,898 in year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 42.69%
19. Porsche Panamera
One of the sportiest cars to come with four doors, the Porsche Panamera is offered in multiple configurations, with each able to leap off the line with authority and tackle the sharpest curves handily.
- 10 year cost: $16,531
- Annual costs: Luxury sedan is appropriately costly to keep at $666 in year one, and $2,963 by year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 45.03%
20. Land Rover Discovery
The midsize Land Rover Discovery is aimed at adventurous upscale families, with seating for up to seven. It excels off-road, thanks to a selectable Terrain Response system, and other trail-oriented features.
- 10 year cost: $16,485
- Annual costs: You’ll quickly discover owning the Discovery is expensive, with service costing over $3,000 after 10 years
- Chance of needing a major repair: 49.63%