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Following a routine maintenance plan will keep your vehicle running efficiently and help prevent costly repairs from arising. Regular oil changes, tire rotation, and fluid level checks can go a long way in extending the lifespan of your vehicle.

While auto maintenance is crucial, it can also be expensive. Several luxury brands are notorious for having very high maintenance and repair costs, adding to the overall cost of vehicle ownership.

Car Edge analyzed extensive data to determine which luxury brands are the most expensive to maintain over a 10-year period. The consumer advocate claims having this information will help you “determine over time whether your car is a great value, or a money pit on wheels.”

Here are the top five luxury brands with the most expensive 10-year maintenance costs.

1. Porsche

A mechanic working on a car potentially luxury brands with the most expensive 10-year maintenance
Mechanic working a vehicle | Nathan Laine via Getty Images

Automakers provide a routine maintenance schedule with recommended intervals for service to achieve optimal performance. According to Car Edge, during the first 10 years of vehicle ownership, the average maintenance and repair costs are $12,044 for a luxury brand.

Porsche ranks the worst among all luxury brands, with the most expensive 10-year maintenance cost of $22,075. In addition, the probability of a major repair rises considerably over the life of a vehicle, with Porsche having a 51.17% probability of requiring a repair costing more than $500 by year 10 of ownership. This is 16.08% worse when compared to similar brands in the luxury segment.

According to Car Complaints, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne is the worst model to own, with major engine repair required at around 75,550 miles, with a typical repair cost of $6,700.

2. BMW

The average 10-year maintenance cost for a BMW vehicle is $19,312, with a 45.89% chance it will require a major repair by the tenth year of ownership.

According to Your Mechanic, luxury German imports have significantly higher maintenance costs when compared to Toyota, which is “about $10,000 less expensive over 10 years.” They report common repair issues with BMW vehicles that include the replacement of a window regulator, idler pulley, and drive belt tensioner, with the BMW 328i being the most expensive model to maintain in the luxury brand lineup.

3. Land Rover

A Land Rover vehicle also has one of the most expensive 10-year maintenance costs, averaging $18,569. According to Car Edge, there is a 41.71% chance the luxury brand will require a significant repair by year 10 of ownership, which is 6.62% higher than similar brands in the luxury segment.

RepairPal reports the most commonly reported issue with a Land Rover is “defective vehicle height sensor may deactivate air suspension.”

Routine maintenance costs for services such as a transmission filter and fluid change can cost between $502 and $553, while a major repair such as a transfer case replacement can run between $4,052 and $4,151.

In a 2020 J.D. Powers dependability study, the Land Rover had the most problems per 100 vehicles, ranking the worst among all brands.

4. Jaguar

Jaguar vehicles have an estimated 10-year maintenance cost of $17,636, with a 40.54% chance of requiring a major repair during that time span.

According to Auto Scope, the Jaguar F-Type is the most expensive model to maintain, with an oil change costing between $250 and $370. They recommend an annual inspection to identify potential problems before they develop into costly repairs. Fortunately, “with proper maintenance – regular oil, belt, and spark plug changes, along with other essential schedule maintenance – your Jaguar could easily top 200,000 of roadworthiness.”

5. Mercedes-Benz

Rounding out the list of the most expensive 10-year maintenance costs is Mercedes-Benz, with an average of $15,986 and a 35.87% chance of requiring a significant repair in the first 10 years of vehicle ownership.

According to Motor1, services after the first 10,000 miles, such as oil and filter changes, will cost around $250. Regularly scheduled maintenance services after 20,000 miles, such as changing brake fluid and topping off fluid levels, can range between $595 and $933.

Common issues include the replacement of a water pump, wheel hub, brake pad, hybrid battery cable, or spark plugs.

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