Average Maintenance Costs You Can Expect to Shell out for Your Lexus
Yes, they're famous for their reliability, but there's still a cost to keeping that nice Lexus a nice Lexus for years to come.
"Hidden" Costs
While most car shoppers tend to focus on the actual cost of that vehicle - and perhaps the monthly payment they'll be shelling out - not quite as many consider actual ownership costs as well. These costs - which include everything from insurance to fuel and maintenance or repairs - can obviously add up over time as well, and that's certainly true of Lexus vehicles.
Photos: Lexus
Average Annual Maintenance and Repair Costs
When it comes to average maintenance costs, RepairPal reports that Lexus remains one of the cheaper automotive brands at $551 annually - which is roughly $100 less than other major manufacturers. Of course, that figure will vary greatly depending on which model one owns, too.
Photos: Lexus
Average Costs by Model
For most, oil changes and tire rotations are going to be the most common maintenance items, and in that regard, you can expect to shell out around $208-$257 each year to take care of all three. Tire rotations typically cost around $70-$80, and oil changes can be a bit pricier at around $130-$150, while the occasional air filter replacement adds another $40-$70 depending on model.
Photos: Lexus
Most Common Repairs
Luckily, RepairPal notes that when it comes to repairs, Lexus owners don't need as many of them as the owners of other vehicles - owners report taking just 0.5 unplanned visits to the shop every year, and only had a 8 percent chance of needing a major repair. Regardless, the most commonly cited repairs are active suspension height sensor replacement (around $600), brake calipers ($600), engine oil light diagnosis ($100), hood strut replacement ($400), exhaust repair ($600), and starter relay replacement ($130).
Photos: Lexus
Warranty Coverage
Lexus' factory warranty does offer limited complimentary maintenance, but opting for a LexusCare plan covers oil changes and tire rotations at intervals of six months or 5,000 miles and 12 months or 10,000 miles. Lexus Luxury Care plans offer even more - things such as synthetic oil changes, multipoint inspections, a limited number of major maintenance items, and timed reminders.
Photos: Lexus
Extended Warranty Coverage
Then there are extended warranties, which can go all the way up to nine years or 125,000 miles for select models. None of these three offerings - Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain - include maintenance, but they do cover vital components past the expiration of the factory warranty, which could certainly help one save on repair costs over the long haul.
Photos: Lexus
Finding a Balance
It is worth noting that with all of these products, one is shelling out extra money that may or may not be worth it over the long haul of ownership. There are many factors to take into consideration here, such as how long one plans to own a vehicle and how much they'll be driving it, and for many, these things may not justify paying for extra coverage. However, if nothing else, that same coverage can also help others save potentially big bucks if a major repair is needed one day.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus extended warranty right here at ClubLexus.com.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.