8 Cars Least Likely to Blindside You With Repair Bills

Finding a car that doesn't constantly break down can be challenging, and the last thing you want is a shop invoice that wrecks a budget that looked fine at the dealership. That's why the smartest move for a car owner is to choose a vehicle with low annual repair costs and a strong reliability rating. 

Over the life of the car, you could wind up saving thousands of dollars on repair costs, and you'll lower your financial stress at the same time. Reliable and dependable vehicles are worth it over the long term.

Here are eight cars least likely to blindside you with repair bills.

Editor's note: Annual repair costs and reliability rankings come from RepairPal.

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Average annual repair cost: $362

RepairPal reliability: 4.5 (1st of 36 compact cars)

Toyotas are known for their build quality, and the Corolla is no different. Gas models use a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder with no turbo. Toyota's production volume keeps parts cheap and easy to find.

A severe repair hits just 7% of the time, versus 12% for all vehicles. There's a reason millions of people drive one.

Average annual repair cost: $368

RepairPal reliability: 4.5 (3rd of 36 compact cars)

As one of Honda's smallest sedans, you're still getting a car that holds up despite the size. Civic owners visit the shop for unscheduled work only 0.2 times a year, compared with 0.4 for all cars. Honda itself is RepairPal's No. 1 brand, so Civic parts sit on the same shelves as Accord parts.

Whether you take it to a Honda dealer or an independent shop, repairs are done for a reasonable price.

Average annual repair cost: $388

RepairPal reliability: 4.0 (3rd of 24 midsize cars)

Another workhorse from Toyota, the Camry is as solid as it gets. Independent shops know this car, and parts are sitting on the shelf. Shop visits run 0.3 a year, and repairs are less severe than the midsize average.

The Camry is a strong option if you want a midsize sedan that stays cheap after the warranty is gone.

Average annual repair cost: $400

RepairPal reliability: 4.5 (1st of 24 midsize cars)

The Accord is a mechanic's favorite for a reason. Honda dealers and independent shops both stock the parts. Severe repairs occur 9% of the time, and shop visits average 0.26 per year.

Since the Accord is a bit larger than the Civic, you'll spend a little more on repairs than on Honda's compact. Still, it's tough to beat that mix of reliability and comfort, which is why so many choose the Accord as their main car.

Average annual repair cost: $433

RepairPal reliability: 4.0 (9th of 36 compact cars)

Mechanics like the SkyActiv powertrain because every Mazda3 sedan uses a traditional 6-speed automatic. That gives it an edge over competitors that switched to continuously variable transmissions that require more costly repairs. The 2.5-liter four is a simple engine, and both Mazda dealers and independents can source it.

Shop visits run 0.30 a year, with a 10% severe-repair rate.

Average annual repair cost: $408

RepairPal reliability: 4.0 (10th of 24 midsize cars)

It may be time to give the Prius another look. The hybrid looks more complicated than a regular Toyota, but the invoice usually isn't as expensive as you'd expect. Owners visit more often, 0.5 times a year, but those jobs tend to be minor.

It still beats the $526 midsize average. Toyota shops and independents have been working on these hybrids for years, so a specialist is optional.

Average annual repair cost: $407

RepairPal reliability: 4.5 (2nd of 26 compact SUVs)

If you need a crossover, the CR-V is the Honda that behaves like the Civic on the invoice. Severe repairs sit at 9%, and shop visits run 0.3 a year. Honda's dealer network and independent shops both know this model.

It's also $114 under the $521 compact-SUV average repair cost. Since it's a Honda, brake pads and batteries are easy parts to find.

Average annual repair cost: $468

RepairPal reliability: 4.0 (4th of 31 luxury midsize cars)

If you're looking for a cheap and easy-to-maintain luxury car, the Lexus ES 350 is a strong value. RepairPal puts it next to the Toyota Avalon at $463 a year in average repair costs, and much of the car can be serviced with Toyota parts.

That's versus $739 for luxury midsize cars. A severe repair hits 6% of the time. Independent shops can work on it, so the luxury badge still bills like a Toyota.

A reliable car is worth much more than you'd think. All of those little repair bills add up a lot over the course of a decade of ownership, and that savings could go toward crushing your debt instead of a shop invoice. 

Whichever one you pick, the individual car matters more than the badge on the hood. Ask for maintenance records, pull a vehicle history report, and pay a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection before you sign anything.

Reliability is worth more than it sounds. Just 30% of Americans say they would cover a $1,000 emergency expense from savings, and 33% say they would go into debt to handle one, either by carrying a credit card balance, borrowing from family, or taking out a personal loan. One bad repair bill is exactly the kind of expense that lands in that gap. 

Buying a car that rarely has expensive repairs is a simple way to keep a rough week from turning into a balance you're still paying off next year.