Top 5 Vehicles With Low Maintenance Costs: Buying a used car is always thrilling, it is important to keep in mind its “true cost.” The true cost of owning a car includes not only the vehicle itself, but also any payments you have on a loan, yearly registration fees, fuel, insurance premiums, and maintenance and repairs. Here, we want to focus on a single aspect of the true cost of used car ownership: maintenance and repairs. More specifically, we are going to look at 5 vehicles that have low maintenance and repair costs.
Our list is based on the frequency of maintenance, the average cost of the recommended service, and the frequency of repairs. With all of those factors in mind, we believe that the Toyota Vanguard, Mitsubishi Pajero Mini, Nissan Cube, Mazda Demio, and the Nissan Tiida all these cars fit the bill of efficient money-savers. So, let’s have a look at each of these vehicles and a few of the features that each offers.
Toyota Vanguard

The Toyota Vanguard car has a wheelbase of 2,660 mm, 100 mm longer than the Toyota RAV4. And, in addition to having a longer wheelbase than the Toyota RAV4 cars, the Vanguard has a slightly different front-end featuring a different grille, bumper, bonnet, and headlamps. Under the bonnet, the engine and gearbox options are the same. The 6 petrol offerings range from a 1,998 cc I4 that produces 145 bhp and 190 N-m of torque to a 3,456 cc V6 capable of 268 bhp and 336 N-m of torque.
The two diesel options are a 2,231 cc turbo I4 capable of 108 bhp and 310 N-m of torque or a revised version of the same 2,231 cc powerplant that offers 147 bhp and 400 N-m of torque. The base Toyota Vanguard is fitted with a 4-speed automatic, but 5 and 6-speed automatics are available along with a CVT Transmission. Manual options include a 5 and 6-speed.
The Vanguard is also available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts. As buyers expect from an upper-level Toyota Motors offering, the Toyota Vanguard comes loaded with high-tech gadgets like steering-assisted stability control, keyless entry, and satellite navigation.
Features Summary
Fuel Economy | 9.1 – 13.2 km/l |
Engine Performance | 145-268 bhp |
Key Features | Steering-assisted stability control keyless entry satellite navigation |
Mitsubishi Pajero Mini

Japan used Mitsubishi Pajero Mini may be a surprising vehicle to find on this list, but it shouldn’t be. The Mitsubishi Pajero Mini car is equipped with a durable engine and tough gearboxes that can tackle any driving conditions. In addition to its low maintenance and repair costs, The Pajero fits into the Kei car class, offering lower taxes in the Japanese home market.
Under the bonnet, you will find a 659 cc petrol I4, and the engine can be naturally aspirated or turbocharged. The gearbox can be either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. Buyers can opt for a front-wheel-drive or 4-wheel drive.
Interior comforts of the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini car are limited but can include a touchscreen navigation system and an upgraded CD stereo system. The limited interior upgrades translate into fewer electrical repairs, saving you even more money throughout the lifespan of a Mitsubishi Pajero Mini.
Features Summary
Fuel Economy | 11.1 – 25.0 km/l |
Engine Performance | 145-268 bhp |
Key Features | Touchscreen navigation system Upgraded CD stereo system |
Nissan Cube

Under the bonnet of the Nissan Cube car, buyers can choose from 3 petrol engines or a single diesel powerplant. The petrol engine options include a 1,498 cc, a 1,598 cc, and a 1,797 cc. All these given options are naturally aspirated L 4 engines with variable valve timing for greater efficiency, with the single diesel engines turbocharged and fourteen capable of 110 bhp, offering outstanding low-end torque.
Inside the Nissan Cube car, buyers can find a large amount of tech and high-level upgrades. Nissan Motors also offers many interior options so that buyers can personalize their Cube car. These offerings can include multi-color appliques for air vents and window switches, utility hooks, and elastic bands in different colors, variable color LED accent lights in the footwell and cup holders, color-coordinated carpet on the top of the dash, and many more.
Features Summary
Fuel Economy | 14.2 – 19.2 km/l |
Engine Performance | 78-120 bhp |
Key Features | Utility hooks colour LED accent lightsColour-coordinated carpet |
Mazda Demio

Classified as a super-mini, the Mazda Demio car is marketed as the Mazda2 in some markets. The Mazda Demio has earned many accolades for its fuel efficiency, low purchase price, and very affordable cost of ownership over its lifespan. Over the years, the car engine and gearbox selections have varied, so let’s talk about the third generation (2007-2014) models. We are looking at these in particular as they are the most readily available for export.
Under the bonnet of the car, buyers will find two petrol and two diesel options. The petrol engines in Demio are a 1,348 cc I4 capable of 90 bhp and a 1,498 cc I4 that produces 110 bhp. Demio’s diesel powerplants are a 1,399 cc I4 capable of 67 bhp and a 1,560 cc I4 that produces 89 bhp. The gearbox options are a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a CVT. When equipped with the 1,498 cc petrol and a CVT, the Demio car can achieve 16.2 km/l.
Features Summary
Fuel Economy | 16.2 km/l |
Engine Performance | 67 – 110 bhp |
Key Features | 16-inch aluminium wheelsClimate control air-conditioning system super UV cut glass |
Nissan Tiida

This generation (2004-2012) of the Tiida offers 3 petrol engines and diesel under the bonnet. The petrol engines include a 1,490 cc I4, a 1,596 cc I4, and a 1,798 I4. The diesel offering is a 1,496 turbo I4. The diesel offering in the car was dropped from the line after the 2010 model year. Gearbox selections are a 6-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a CVT.
The addition to an affordable purchase price, the Nissan Tiida car has received top safety ratings in every market where it is sold. Additionally, the Nissan Tiida is so durable that it is even used as a police vehicle in some countries. The combination of both safety and durability creates an outstanding offering for a small family on the move.
Features Summary
Fuel Economy | 12.3 – 19.2 km/l |
Engine Performance | 105 – 188 bhp |
Key Features | Leather interior keyless entry alloy wheels |
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