Buying a luxury badge is one expense, and keeping it running for a decade is another that often surprises owners. Projected ten-year maintenance figures and brand repair rankings show where the bills climb highest. Here are twelve cars and SUVs, mostly from European brands, that cost the most to keep on the road.
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1. Bentley Continental GT: Top of the Bill
CarEdge projects $25,136 in maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years for the Continental GT, according to Money Digest.
The figure leads this group, and it fits the reputation of ultra-luxury British coupes for expensive parts and specialist labor. Anyone considering an older example should treat service costs as a significant part of the purchase, not an afterthought. At that price level, a service plan or a warranty extension can make a large difference, and prospective owners should price one before buying.
2. Porsche Cayenne: Cayenne Climbs
CarEdge put the Cayenne’s 10-year maintenance at $20,552, rising from $721 in year one to $3,827 in year 10, in 2023 data reported by Motor1’s maintenance list.
The yearly progression is the real lesson, since early costs look modest before ownership turns pricey. Because the numbers date from 2023, current estimates may differ, but the shape of the curve explains why used luxury SUVs can be a trap. Prospective buyers can reduce risk by finding an independent specialist and requesting a full service history before purchase.
3. Land Rover Range Rover: Scarce Parts
CarEdge lists $19,749 in average repair costs over the first ten years for the Range Rover, and a salvage-yard mechanic quoted by the MoneyLion feature blames scarce, pricey parts.
Limited supply keeps prices high, particularly when few donor vehicles exist for used components. The explanation points to a structural reason beyond brand image, which helps explain why this model appears so near the top of the list. Independent specialists can sometimes reduce the bill, but parts availability remains a constraint for older examples of the big SUV.
4. Porsche 911: Sports Car Upkeep
CarEdge’s 10-year maintenance estimate for the 911 was $18,231, based on 2023 data published by Motor1’s maintenance list.
A figure at that level is notable for a car often used as a daily driver, and it sits close to what larger luxury SUVs cost. The data is a few years old, so owners should treat it as a guide to scale rather than an exact budget. Even so, the 911 is often considered one of the more durable choices in the segment, so the total reflects parts and labor rather than frequent breakdowns.
5. Mercedes-Benz G 550: Boxy and Costly
Owners of the G 550 can expect about $16,925 to keep it running over its first decade, according to CarEdge figures cited by Money Digest.
Off-road hardware and low-volume production tend to raise costs, which makes the number plausible for such a specialized vehicle. It adds a recurring expense to a purchase price that is already substantial. Budgeting a separate repair fund for the first decade is a sensible way to avoid sticker shock when major work arrives.
6. Porsche Panamera: Sedan Escalation
The Panamera is projected at $16,531 over 10 years, climbing from $666 in year one to $2,963 in year 10, based on 2023 CarEdge data in Motor1’s list.
The pattern repeats the Cayenne story of cheap early years followed by steep later ones. Buyers eyeing a pre-owned example should expect bills to land on the second or third owner, not the first. Used buyers can ask for pre-purchase inspections and prior invoices, which help reveal whether big repairs are still ahead.
7. BMW M4: M Division Math
CarEdge projects $16,041 in maintenance and repair over the first 10 years for the M4, as Money Digest reported.
High-performance coupes wear tires, brakes and other parts faster, which pushes costs above regular models. The figure is a reminder that the extra speed has a recurring price beyond the sticker. Prospective owners should plan for premium tires and brakes, and consider an extended warranty if the car will be kept beyond the factory coverage.
8. BMW 7 Series: Flagship Reserve
Budget about $15,658 for the BMW 760 over its first decade, per CarEdge numbers on Money Digest.
A large luxury sedan packed with technology has many parts that can fail, and replacing them is rarely cheap. The estimate is useful for shoppers comparing flagship sedans, since depreciation is only part of the total cost. Extended coverage and a trusted independent shop are the usual ways owners try to keep those bills manageable over time.
9. Audi Q7: Too Much Engineering
CarEdge puts 10-year maintenance for the Q7 at $13,147, and a mechanic in a MoneyLion feature calls German cars ‘the perfect example of what’s wrong with over-engineering’.
The quote is one mechanic’s opinion, yet it captures a common complaint that complexity makes repairs harder. The Q7 sits lower on this list than some rivals, but it still demands a sizable maintenance budget. Buyers of used examples should factor those costs into the offer price and inspect the vehicle before agreeing on a figure.
10. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Airmatic Age
The S-Class racks up nearly $13,000 in 10-year maintenance before any engine or transmission work, and mechanics quoted by the MoneyLion feature say Airmatic suspension trouble typically follows 100,000 miles.
The note about suspension is a practical warning for used buyers, because air systems can be pricey to repair. It also shows that the headline maintenance total leaves out the largest possible repairs. Prospective buyers should ask whether the suspension has been serviced and set aside funds before the mileage reaches that point.
11. Land Rover Defender: Brand Ranking
Land Rover ranks 31st of 32 brands on RepairPal’s brand data, averaging $1,174 a year in repairs versus $652 across all models.
This entry reflects a brand-wide measure rather than a single model projection, so the Defender shares the cost reputation of the whole lineup. The yearly average is nearly double the all-model figure. Because the ranking is brand-wide, shoppers may find individual models cost more or less, so a model-specific inspection is still wise.
12. Jaguar F-Pace: Near the Bottom
Jaguar ranks 29th of 32 brands on RepairPal’s brand data at $1,123 a year in average repairs.
Like Land Rover, the brand lands near the bottom of the list, and the F-Pace stands in for a lineup with a costly service record. The yearly cost is far above typical, making dealer-network coverage and warranty terms worth checking before purchase. Because the ranking covers the whole brand, the F-Pace is a representative example, and its actual costs will vary by year and condition.
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