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10 Worst Sedans to Buy if You Hate Spending Money on Maintenance

These 10 sedans all have higher-than-average maintenance costs.

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Updated May 18, 2026
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When purchasing a new car, it's about more than the sticker price. How much it costs to maintain and repair is also a huge factor to take into account before signing on the dotted line.

Without factoring in these long-term expenses, it's hard to fully understand a vehicle's true ownership costs. And just like drivers compare auto insurance rates to find a cheaper policy, consumers should consider a sedan's lifetime maintenance costs to see how affordable it really is.

CarEdge has gathered data from millions of car listings to determine which sedans are the most expensive to maintain. According to their data, these 10 sedans have the highest 10-year maintenance costs.

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Nissan Versa

Courtesy of Nissan nissan versa

According to CarEdge, the Nissan Versa requires owners to spend around $5,785 on repairs and maintenance on average during this sedan's first 10 years on the road. That means that the Versa could cost its owners $39 more in repairs and maintenance during that period than the average sedan.

With a 16.97% chance of requiring major repairs during that time, Nissan Versas are 0.28% more likely to incur major repair or maintenance expenses than similar vehicles.

Honda Accord

Courtesy of Honda honda accord

According to CarEdge, the Honda Accord could cost owners around $5,807 in repairs and maintenance during its first decade on the road. That figure surpasses the industry average for sedans by $61.

With a 16.08% chance of requiring major maintenance or repairs during this period, Honda Accord drivers are 0.61% more likely to need a major repair than the average sedan driver.

Nissan Sentra

Courtesy of Nissan 2025 nissan sentra

On average, Nissan Sentras require $5,852 in repairs and maintenance during their first 10 years of service. According to CarEdge, that amount tops the industry average for sedans by $106.

Their research also found that the Nissan Sentra has a 16.97% chance of needing major repairs or maintenance during that period, making it 0.28% more likely to require a major repair than the average sedan.

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Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

Courtesy of Mazda mazda3 hatchback

According to CarEdge, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan could cost owners around $5,928 in repairs and maintenance expenses during its first 10 years on the road. That total is $182 more than that of other sedans.

Additionally, the Mazda3 Sedan has a 16.75% chance of needing major repairs or maintenance during this period. That means that it is 0.06% more likely to need a major repair during its first decade of service than the average vehicle.

Nissan Altima

jetcityimage/Adobe nissan altima display at a dealership

Owning a Nissan Altima could require spending around $6,013 on maintenance and repair costs during its first decade of service, according to CarEdge. This figure surpasses the industry average for sedans by $267.

The Altima has a 16.97% chance of needing major repairs during that period. This is 0.28% worse than other vehicles.

Volkswagen Jetta

Courtesy of Volkswagen volkswagen jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta typically requires drivers to spend about $6,053 on repairs and maintenance over the first decade of ownership. According to CarEdge, this is $307 more than other popular sedans.

The Jetta has a 17.42% chance of requiring major repairs or maintenance during its first 10 years on the road. At that rate, it is 0.73% more likely to need a major repair during that period than average.

Kia Forte

Courtesy of Kia kia forte on a sunset

The Kia Forte could cost drivers around $6,216 in repairs and maintenance during its first 10 years on the road. According to CarEdge, that number surpasses the average for sedan models during that period by $470.

These sedans have a 18.11% chance of requiring major repairs during their first 10 years on the road, which means that their owners are 1.42% more likely to need these repairs than the average driver.

Hyundai Elantra

Courtesy of Hyundai hyundai elantra

CarEdge's data reveals that a Hyundai Elantra will cost $6,339 for repairs and maintenance during its first decade on the road. That tally is $593 more than the average sedan during that period.

With a 18.31% chance of requiring a major repair during its first 10 years of service, the Elantra is 1.62% more likely to need major repairs than the average sedan.

Volkswagen Arteon

Konstantinos Moraiti/Adobe vw arteon r line premium car

According to CarEdge, a Volkswagen Arteon typically costs drivers $6,528 in repairs and maintenance expenses during the first 10 years of driving one. That works out to be $782 more than the average sedan.

With a 17.42% chance of needing a major repair during that time, the Arteon is 0.73% more likely to have serious maintenance issues than others.

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Chevrolet Malibu

Courtesy of Chevrolet 2025 chevrolet malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu requires around $6,882 on repairs and maintenance during its first decade of ownership, according to CarEdge. That's a whopping $1,136 more than the average sedan during that period.

With a 19.90% chance of requiring major repairs during its first 10 years on the road, it's 3.21% more likely to have major issues than the average sedan.

Bottom line

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A new vehicle is no small feat. When considering which sedan to purchase, consumers can compare which automotive brands historically have higher average 10-year maintenance and repair costs, just like drivers compare different policies to save money on car insurance.

For instance, the average Toyota vehicle could cost owners around $5,470 over a decade of ownership, while the average Ford could cost them $10,313, including maintenance expenses, during that period. Before committing to a vehicle, take factors such as these into account.

  • You could save up to $600 with some companies
  • Compare dozens of providers in under 5 minutes
  • Fast, free and easy way to shop for insurance
  • Quickly find the best option for you


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