22 December 2024

Most Expensive Car Brands for Repairs in the UK

2 min read

For many car owners, repair costs have become a significant financial burden. A recent study highlights which car brands incur the highest expenses when it comes to repairs.

Rising Repair Costs in Germany

Car repair expenses in Germany have surged, impacting vehicle owners through higher insurance premiums. According to a study by automotive technology company Carly, reported by “Auto Motor und Sport,” both parts and labour costs have increased considerably.

Earlier this year, warranty insurer CarGarantie calculated that the average cost of a warranty claim in 2023 was €657—€39 more than the previous year. Over the preceding five years, these costs had already risen by about €100.

This trend means that a visit to the repair shop often results in four-figure bills. Understanding which car issues can be fixed at home and when professional repairs are necessary could save drivers a considerable amount of money.

BMW Drivers Face the Highest Bills

Carly’s research into average repair costs for popular car brands reveals that BMW owners face the steepest bills. On average, BMW repairs cost €1,150, with the 5 Series being particularly costly. Common issues such as replacing the particulate filter or fixing a failed lambda sensor push average repair costs for this model to €1,525.

Here’s a breakdown of average repair costs per model and brand:

Model Average Repair Cost (€) Brand Average Repair Cost (€)
BMW 5 Series 1,525 BMW 1,150
Audi A1 1,235 Audi 989
Audi A8 1,200 Mercedes 942
Mercedes CLA 1,135 VW 767
Audi Q3 1,135 Ford 588
Mercedes S-Class 1,060 Hyundai 575
BMW X1 1,050 Skoda 450
Mercedes GLC 940 Opel 375
BMW 3 Series 875 Average 856
VW Passat 850
Mercedes C-Class 800
Audi A4 800
VW Golf 775
Mercedes E-Class 775
Ford Focus 775
VW Polo 675
Hyundai Tucson 575
Audi A6 575
Skoda Octavia 450
Ford Mondeo 400
Opel Astra 375

Audi and Mercedes Follow Closely

Audi and Mercedes occupy the second and third spots on the list, with average repair costs of €989 and €942, respectively. At the lower end, Opel models stand out for their relatively affordable average repair cost of just €375.

However, Carly’s data analysis has some limitations, as noted by “Auto Motor und Sport.” The study does not differentiate between vehicle generations, and various types of repairs were compared. Nonetheless, owners of Skoda and Opel models typically face much lower repair costs than the overall average of approximately €860 across all brands.