Nobody wants to spend a fortune on maintenance bills for their car. They can quickly become a bottomless money pit, make our lives incredibly difficult, and spend more time in the garage than on the road.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Thankfully, there are plenty of cars, new and old, that are very low-maintenance and don’t break the bank.
This list includes 13 low-maintenance cars that are kind to you and your wallet. We’ve mixed things up with new cars, classics, your average family car, and some sportier machines.
MG MGB
If you are looking for a classic British sports car that won’t break the bank, look no further than the cute MG MGB. Manufactured from 1965 to 1980, the MGB has always been a visual delight, with early models sporting gorgeous chrome bumpers and trim.
Powering the MGB is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing a maximum of 95 horsepower. While not much by today’s standards, it was more than enough in the 1960s. Plus, the MGB was light, so it felt like it had much more power than it actually did. MGBs are very low-maintenance classic cars due to the number built and simple construction.
First-Generation Ford Mustang
Including the first-generation Ford Mustang on the list might sound odd, but they are incredibly low-maintenance. Ford produced so many from 1964 to the early 1970s that thousands are still available second-hand.
Thanks to the Mustang’s popularity, spare parts are also easy to come by, and plenty of specialists are available to help maintain or restore the car. The Mustang is also relatively simple to maintain, meaning you could easily look after it yourself if you have the knowledge.
Citroen 2CV
Few cars have the same charm and character as the little Citroen 2CV, one of the world’s best-known classic cars. The 2CV was initially designed to motorize the French countryside farmers who still relied on horses and cars in the 1930s and 1940s.
Due to World War II, production didn’t begin until 1948, and the small car remained in production until 1990. Few vehicles can claim to have such longevity. The 2CV became famous for its straightforward design and innovative air-cooled nine-horsepower engine.
Fiat Panda
It’s a small, cute, and simple car. However, the Fiat Panda is one of the best budget cars on the market, although sadly, Italian manufacturers currently don’t offer it in the United States. However, if you live in the United Kingdom, you can pick up the latest Panda hybrid for just £14,750 or $18,900.
For the money, you get a punchy 1.0-liter GSE 70 horsepower mild-hybrid engine and comfortable seating for five people. The Panda has USB connectivity and Bluetooth, and the small five-inch infotainment screen is apparent and easy to use. Thanks to its simplicity, the 1.0-liter engine is straightforward to maintain.
Nissan Sentra
Nissan is one of the best in the business for producing safe, reliable cars. If you are looking for such a car, then the Nissan Sentra might be the one for you. The classy sedan underwent an update and refresh in 2022, and it’s one of the best compact sedans on the market.
The Sentra currently retails at $21,180 MSRP, and for the money, you get up to 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque from the 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is also excellent, with the Sentra S FWD and Sentra SV FWD offering 30 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and a combined 34 mpg.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Few cars in North America are available for less than $20,000, let alone less than $15,000. One of the few remaining for less than $20k is the Mitsubishi Mirage, which is just a touch over $15k with its $16,695 MSRP. Sadly, Mirage will soon be pulled from the North American market, and it is no longer on sale in Japan.
While it is still on sale, you get a brilliant, compact car with enough seating for five people and a brilliant 39 mpg combined. Power comes from a small three-cylinder engine producing 78 horsepower.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a long-standing member of the Japanese manufacturer’s range. With an MSRP of just $27,895, it is one of the most affordable sedans on the market. It’s also one of the best-looking cars, with Honda keeping the design slick and fresh.
The 204 horsepower hybrid powertrain option is a bonus, and thanks to Honda’s reliability, you are unlikely to spend a lot of money keeping an Accord maintained. If you buy nearly any Honda, your maintenance bills will be pretty low.
Volkswagen Beetle
Back to another classic, the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the easiest classic cars to maintain. The Beetle had a controversial past; initially, members of the German public would donate to develop a people’s car. However, the outbreak of World War II meant that money was channeled into the German military instead.
When it did enter production, the Beetle remained in its original form well into the 2000s. Volkswagen produced over 21.1 million Beetles, making it the world’s most-sold old car of a single platform, beating the previous record holder, the Ford Model T.
Austin-Healey Sprite
The Austin-Healey Sprite would likely win multiple awards for the happiest sports car in the world. A quick look at the front of the Sprite and its bug eyes reveals a very happy car indeed. Aside from that, the Sprite is one of the best British sports cars ever made.
Few cars are as simple as the Sprite. In Mark I form, it was 137 inches long, had two seats, and had a small 43 horsepower, 948 cc inline-four under the hood. The Sprite was also quite innovative, as it was one of the first sports cars in the world to use unitary body construction.
Original Fiat 500
While the modern Fiat 500 is simple by today’s standards, the original Fiat 500 is even easier to maintain. Like the Citroen 2CV, the original 500 was a small and rugged automobile designed much like the VW Beetle as a car for the people.
Fiat introduced the city car in 1957, and under the hood, a range of inline-two engines produced all the power needed for a small car. Abarth spiced up the range with their own sportier version of the Fiat 500, and Fiat also created the Giardiniera estate version and a panel van version of the estate.
Volvo P1800
Volvo has always had a strong, if not legendary, reputation for safety and reliability. The classic P1800 is no different. A testament to the low maintenance of the P1800 was owner Irv Gordon, who recorded the highest mileage of any vehicle, with over 3.2 million miles on the clock of his P1800.
Power came from a 100-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which Volvo later increased to 120 horses. The Swedish manufacturer also produced a 2.0-liter 118-horsepower engine to expand the range.
Mazda 3
The Mazda 3, in both hatchback and sedan form, is one of the most stylish cars currently on sale in North America. The hatchback is the real standout, with its 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G turbocharged engine in the higher trims producing 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
If you opt for the lower trim, you still get 191 horsepower from its four-cylinder SkyAcitv-G engine. The Mazda 3 hatchback currently retails for $24,990, making it one of the most affordable in its segment in North America. You get Mazda’s excellent infotainment system and premium materials in a highly comfortable cabin.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Electric cars are low-maintenance by nature. There is less for us, the owner, and any garage to look after. But to represent EVs on this list, we chose Hyundai’s stunning Ioniq 6, which evolved from the previous Ioniq 5 but is now clad in slimmer, sleeker, streamlined bodywork.
The Ioniq 6 starts at $37,500 and has up to 360 miles of range on a single charge. Thanks to the E-GMP platform on which it sits, the Ioniq 6 is incredibly efficient. Efficiency is boosted by the ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21. It is among the lowest we have ever seen on any production car.
