Repair Cost Vs. Brand Name Cars

Repair and running is definitely a factor to consider. Also part costs, so being American you can get hold of Ford/Tesla parts for cheaper as they are manufactured there, whereas European/Asia makes like BMW or Hyundai are more expensive.

@Sarah just because something is "American made" does not actually mean the individualized parts are manufactured in America.. many many of the parts for American brands are manufactured in China, Mexico, and elsewhere. There are so many restrictions on manufacturing that it's cheaper to outsource the parts manufacturing, ship the parts in and assemble here.

As an someone who worked in collision repair at a Tesla certified shop that did all makes and models; I can assure you that this chart is wildly inaccurate 🤣

@Sarah yes that’s true but I’m just speaking from my own experience of being a Toyota owner once, it was cheaper to scrap the car 😂 never again

I feel like there’s misinformation on this chart and it’s highly biased towards Tesla Like… I’m not an expert… but something tells me Tesla shouldn’t be above Honda Chevy ford and Toyota

@Asha same. I find it hard to believe that Tesla repair costs are lower than Honda, Chevy, Ford, and Toyota. If I were looking at a new (used) vehicle right now, I'd look at the reliability of the make and reliability of the model. In 2015 I got an 06 Honda Element because I knew someone who came out of a rollover of one with just scratches, I talked to owners who had 200k and 300k miles on theirs and they were still running strong, and my family has good history with Honda engines. Honda is reliable. I've put over 100k miles on my now 19 year old Element, and she runs great. Minor repairs and maintenance, decent parts aren't too expensive. There are so many great vehicles out there, you shouldn't need to sacrifice look and feel for maintenance cost and reliability.

If Toyota, Honda, Lexus and Acura aren't at the top, you know the list is biased. Those are the most reliable vehicles to be made.

But personally, to answer your question, no. I personally don't hold cars past 5 years and lately, I've been buying them used at minimum 3 years older to ensure most of the depreciation is gone. So with this being said, I like cars that will be good 10 years old or so and recently, the last tow we bought were plug in hybrid and electric.

@Asha I have a Tesla. I have paid nothing in maintenance except for new tires and a few air filters. As long as you don’t crash it, maintenance is dirt cheap. No oil changes. Had it since 2019.

@Jessica maybe I’m thinking more about repairs then Because those always sound astronomical Whereas the maintenance on the vehicles in my og comment you can easily do yourself for common models

They need to clarify the parameters of the study for sure... It says maintenance and repairs; it does NOT say how many miles driven.. like Jessica's experience is crazy, my driving habits would never make it 6 years without brakes and tires multiple times over.. I also wonder, having been out of the field for a few years now; most Teslas totaled out once in an accident because an accident that was a quick and easy repair on one vehicle was 10 sensors, reprogramming and calibration on top or the physical and mechanical repairs... Edit to add; there are also situations where two makes collide, one will total and the other barely be damaged just based on metal composition and design.. or even some vehicles totaling because lack of available parts. Jeep rear ends are basically impossible to get ahold of currently for example 💁