Are Volkswagens Expensive To Maintain?
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The Beetle is just one of the many classic vehicles introduced by the German brand, Volkswagen. There was a time when you couldn’t look anywhere without seeing a Beetle. But nowadays, Volkswagen isn’t as prominent as before. While VW hasn’t fallen off the face of the earth, they’re a long way from its former popularity.
If you’re interested in a Volkswagen, there’s a good chance you’re asking the question: are Volkswagens expensive to maintain?
People believe that Volkswagen cars are expensive to maintain due to factors like expensive parts and specialized services. For today’s post, we’ll look at Volkswagen, its reliability, repair and maintenance costs, and more. Let’s find out if VW lives up to its reputation of being expensive to maintain.
Volkswagen Vehicles: Are They Reliable?
When discussing how expensive (or inexpensive) to repair and maintain a vehicle, one of the most powerful indicators is its long-term reliability. According to RepairPal, Volkswagen vehicles have a reliability score of 3.5 out of 5.0 and a rating of Above Average. This puts VW in 12th place out of 32 car brands.
RepairPal determines reliability based on three primary factors: the average annual repair costs, frequency of repairs, and the percentage of severe repairs. With that said, here’s how Volkswagen fared based on those criteria:
- Average annual repair cost = $676 per year. The specific costs will depend on where you live and the make/model of your vehicle. As a Volkswagen owner, you’ll likely pay higher than average annual $676 or $56 per month for unscheduled repairs. In contrast, the general average is $652 across all car brands.
- Average visits per year = 0.5 times a year. Volkswagen owners are more likely to visit the mechanic about once every two years. While it doesn’t seem so bad in itself, the overall average is 0.4 times for all car models.
- Probability of major repairs = 11% of repairs. Volkswagen scored slightly below the general average of 12%, meaning that owners are less likely to have their cars break down and require major repairs.
One major factor contributing to Volkswagen’s maintenance costs is that the company uses components that require special tools to remove. Thus, not every auto shop in your neighborhood can work on a Volkswagen, at least not in a skilled or timely manner.
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The Costs of Maintaining a Volkswagen
Are Volkswagens expensive to maintain? To give you a further idea, let’s check out some of the most popular VW models and their reliability ratings and maintenance costs.
Volkswagen Golf Maintenance Costs
The Golf is one of the most iconic vehicles ever made. It’s affordable, comfortable, highly practical, and has respectable performance for a compact car. The Volkswagen Golf boasts a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, making it the 25th most reliable out of 36 compact cars.
Owners of Volkswagen Golf will likely pay an annual repair cost of $630, higher than $526 for all compact cars. The Golf makes up by having a lesser frequency of repairs at 0.3 times a year, in contrast to 0.4 times for all vehicles. The probability of repair severity is about average at 11% major repairs for all unscheduled repairs.
Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance Costs
Despite the diminishing sedan crowd, the Volkswagen Jetta remains a popular pick – thanks to its family and budget-friendly nature, and excellent fuel economy. RepairPal gave the Jetta a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0. The yearly repair and maintenance costs of a Jetta comes down to $609, slightly higher than the general average of $526 for compact cars.
The Jetta also performed well in frequency repairs with an average of 0.3 times per year, slightly better than 0.4 times with all car brands. The probability of having major repairs with a Jetta is only 10% – two percentage points better than 12% for all vehicle models.
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Volkswagen Tiguan Maintenance Costs
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a relatively popular entry in the ever-competitive compact crossover segment. It’s no ball of fire in performance, but the Tiguan offers sharp styling, generous cargo, and responsive handling. Unfortunately, the Tiguan is one of the least reliable VW models, with a 3.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating from RepairPal. Also, it’s dead last out of 26 compact SUVs.
The average annual repair cost for the Tiguan is 730, a great deal higher than the general average of $652 for all models. VW Tiguan owners will also likely visit the shop every year with its repair frequency at 0.9 times - more than twice likely for all vehicle models. In addition, the probability of Tiguan repairs being a major issue is 12% which is considered average.
Average Costs of Common Maintenance Services for Lexus
Are Volkswagens expensive to maintain? Like all car brands, your repair and maintenance costs will depend on which model you own. However, there are several standard maintenance services that VW owners can expect.
Oil Change
- When: Volkswagen recommends an oil change every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Cost: Between $99 to $134
- Why: Failure to change the oil will lead to several issues, including complete engine failure
Tire Replacement
- When: Your tires have 50,000 miles or six years in them
- Cost: $150 - $350 per tire
- Why: Worn-out will affect your Volkswagen’s performance and make it more prone to accidents
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Air and Cabin Filter Replacement
- When: Volkswagen recommends changing the air and cabin filter every 20,000 miles
- Cost: Between $64 and $76
- Why: Reduce the amount of pollution inside the car
Spark Plug Replacement
- When: Every 30,000 miles
- Cost: Average is $117 with $22 for parts and $95 for labor
- Why: Spark plugs that aren’t performing correctly will cause issues like engine misfires, slow or no start, rough idling, etc.
Timing Belts and Chain Replacement
- When: Every 80,000 to 90,000 miles
- Cost: Between $409 to $919
- Why: Timing belts and chains ensure that the engine is running properly
Are Volkswagens expensive to maintain? Not as much as its ongoing reputation. Like many brands, some VW models are more reliable than others.
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