- - 9 Cars That Are Cheap To Buy but Expensive To Fix

Sarah SharkeyDecember 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM

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When it comes to shopping for an affordable vehicle, it's natural to look at the sticker price. But in reality, some cars that seem relatively cheap on the surface are actually expensive to maintain and repair. In some cases, you might find that your "deal" of a car has turned into a money pit.

So what's one of the best car owner moves you could make? Avoiding vehicles with extensive repair bills waiting in the wings. Let's explore which cars are cheap to buy but expensive to fix.

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1. Mini Cooper S

Front View Of Black Mini Cooper Countryman

Great Brut Here/Adobe

A Mini Cooper S offers an iconic ride to zip around in. When you zoom off the lot in a 2-door Mini Cooper S, you might be ecstatic that you got off the lot for less than $30,000 in a base model. But the win for your budget may end up being short-lived.

You could expect to spend around $1,175 in repairs in the first five years. In the first 10 years, you might spend about $7,875 repairing and maintaining this seemingly affordable vehicle, according to Consumer Reports.

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2. Used Subaru WRX

Subaru WRX STI in Savannah

Mason/Adobe

The four-door Subaru WRX offers a sporty ride on a budget. You could find used options for this vehicle under $25,000. But the low sticker price might not reflect the future impact of this vehicle on your budget.

According to Car Edge, the 10-year maintenance costs on this vehicle average $6,655. Unfortunately, these costs likely add up to a significant toll on your finances, especially if you were hoping for an affordable vehicle.

3. Used Nissan Murano

fast moving Nissan Murano Z52 on the city road

Konstantin/Adobe

It's relatively easy to find a used Nissan Murano for less than $25,000, depending on the year. Even low-mileage and recent model-year options could come in below $30,000. However, the average 10-year maintenance costs of $8,198 might take a bite out of your wallet.

Common Nissan Murano issues include CVT transmission problems (especially in older models), failing engine mounts, electrical issues, steering and suspension troubles.

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4. Used Toyota Prius

hybrid electric car driving on a cold,frosty morning

sue/Adobe

Toyotas generally have a wonderful reputation for low-maintenance vehicles with minimal upkeep costs, but an older Toyota Prius may be an exception to this rule.

It's possible to find a used Toyota Prius for under $15,000. But when the hybrid's main battery needs to be replaced, you could get stuck with a large repair bill. Typically, it costs between $2,000 and $8,000 for a hybrid battery replacement. Since these vehicles usually need this repair sometime between the 100,000 and 150,000 mile mark, it's a good idea to keep this big-ticket repair in mind.

5. Used Volvo S60

Two usual cars racing at high speed

Konstantin/Adobe

You may find recent model years of the Volvo S60 for less than $25,000. But Volvos tend to come with relatively high repair costs. In the first 10 years of ownership, these vehicles tend to require around $9,800 in maintenance and repairs, according to Consumer Reports.

Notably, Volvo discontinued this model in the U.S. recently. Due to a lack of easy-to-obtain parts on this discontinued car, your repair costs could climb.

6. Hyundai Elantra

White Hyundai Elantra car moving on the street

vector_master/Adobe

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra's starting MSRP of $22,625 is undeniably attractive. After all, it's rare to find a brand-new vehicle with such a relatively affordable price tag. However, earlier years show average 10-year maintenance costs of $6,338, according to CarEdge, and a history of reliability issues, including power train, fuel system, and back over prevention problems. So, this vehicle might hurt your budget in the long run.

Additionally, Elantras are also the most stolen car in the U.S. in 2025, according to The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which may also push your insurance costs higher.

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7. Mercedes-Benz S550

Black car driving along the street

Konstantin/Adobe

If you are looking for a luxury vehicle, a used Mercedes-Benz S550 might seem like a good deal. You might be surprised to learn that you may often find an older model year of this vehicle for less than $25,000. But hefty repair bills could take a toll on your wallet.

In general, Mercedes vehicles are notorious for high repair bills. On average, drivers spend $13,100 on maintenance and repairs in the first 10 years. And as the vehicle ages, it's unlikely that your repair bills will shrink.

8. BMW M5

BMW E46 sports car in the city

Stasiuk/Adobe

Older BMW M5 vehicles might seem like a good deal on the surface. After all, who wouldn't want to drive a luxury vehicle on a budget? But this luxury vehicle brand tends to come with expensive repair costs.

BMWs typically amount to almost $10,000 in repairs over a 10-year period. Typical issues with this specific model include transmission problems, overheating, clutch wear, among others.

9. Jeep Wrangler

A Jeep Wrangler blending in with the fall foliage

Adam Campbell/Adobe

Jeep Wranglers come with a reputation for ruggedness. It's relatively common to find an older Wrangler with a relatively affordable purchase price. But the repair bills could add up quickly. As a brand, Jeeps are some of the most expensive vehicles to maintain, with average 10-year maintenance costs of $11,129.

Who actually has the cheapest auto insurance in your state? Check your zip code here.

Bottom line

Owning a money pit of a vehicle could put a strain on your wallet. But repair bills aren't the only cost that comes along with car ownership. Other ongoing costs, like gas and insurance, add up quickly.

If possible, you might want to consider shopping around for a new insurance company to help you lower your overall car ownership costs.

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Source: “AOL Money”