I’m a Car Expert: 3 Luxury Cars That Cost More To Fix Than They’re Worth
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Luxury cars aren’t known for their affordability, and they can even cost more to fix than they’re worth.
According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the average transaction price for an entry-level luxury car was $56,846 in July 2025, while higher-end models average about $120,654. That’s more than double the price of the industry average of $48,841.
And while the sticker price is steep, the real financial strain often shows up later. Here are three luxury cars where repair and maintenance costs can outweigh the investment.
Tesla
“Once a Tesla needs a new battery, it’s often a better option to buy a new car than to buy a battery that is worth more than what the car is worth,” Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, wrote in an email. “Depending on the car and the battery required, a new one could cost $15,000 or more.”
In some cases, EV batteries can last between 10 and 20 years, according to J.D. Power, but there are factors that can reduce their lifespan. Batteries degrade faster in hotter climates, and charging the battery at a Level 3 fast charging station can overheat the battery as the process is too quick.
And if you’re battery lasts that long, you may need to pay out of pocket. Tesla’s entry-level options only provide a warranty duration of eight years or 100,000 miles, but premium models come with coverage of up to 150,000 miles.
Land Rover
“Land Rovers can be a nightmare to work on. They’re hard to repair, and the parts are expensive,” Musson wrote. “If you have to get a new transmission, it could cost $10,000. The suspension, which is prone to failure, will cost around $4,000 to repair. Once repairs start piling up, it’s easy to see why buying one past its warranty is risky.”
According to KBB, Land Rovers have the highest maintenance and repair costs over 10 years of ownership, averaging about $19,250 over the decade.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is also known for its costly repairs.
“They depreciate quickly, so at a certain point, it’s not worth rebuilding the transmission that would cost as much as $6,000,” Musson explained. “When Mercedes-Benz vehicles start having problems regularly, it’s probably a good idea to get a replacement vehicle.”
CarEdge found that Mercedes-Benz models average around $12,962 in maintenance and repair costs over their first 10 years — more than the industry average for luxury brands. There’s also a 41.24% chance of a major repair being required during that time.
And when compared with other luxury brands, Consumer Reports noted that Mercedes costs more than twice as much to maintain and repair over ten years as similarly-priced luxury brands like Lincoln.
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