Maintenance and repair costs

Every car needs maintenance. Knowing the schedule and typical wear items before you buy helps you budget, especially for a used car coming off warranty.

Budget for

• Oil changes and inspections on the manufacturer's schedule
• Tires (a set every few years, depending on miles)
• Brakes, batteries and wiper blades
• Major scheduled services, such as timing belts on some engines
• Repairs outside warranty on older cars

Before buying

• Look up the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual
• Check remaining factory warranty on a used car
• Ask for service records
• Search reliability information from several independent sources

General information for car buyers, not financial advice. Costs vary by location, driving and market. Easy Auto Compare isn't a dealer, lender or insurer and takes no referral fees.