Volkswagen Maintenance Cost
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Last Updated: December 28, 2022
When buying a new or used vehicle, the initial price tag plays a significant role in if you can afford it. But it is also vital to factor in the estimated cost of ownership. For example, some luxurious brands may end up with inexpensive maintenance, while some more affordable brands may become more expensive to maintain and insure.
Volkswagen is a legit vehicle manufacturer based in Germany. The brand is famous for its safe, reliable, well-assembled, and iconic vehicles. But, despite all the hype, does Volkswagen expensive to maintain?
Please read on to uncover whether or not Volkswagen maintenance is an economic investment. In this article, our expert will share the average annual cost of Volkswagen repairs. We will also compare the Volkswagen maintenance costs with other luxurious brands to help you make the wisest decision.
Average Volkswagen Maintenance Cost
Although Volkswagen vehicles are safer and more reliable, they do not carry a costlier price tag for routine maintenance. According to RepairPal, Volkswagen owners may end up paying up to $672 annually to maintain the optimal condition of their vehicles. This cost is slightly higher than the industry average. The average maintenance cost depends on numerous factors. It is also unique to the type of Volkswagen vehicle you drive.
When shopping for a new or used Volkswagen vehicle, you must compare the maintenance costs of different Volkswagen models. It will give you a better understating of what you have to pay to preserve your vehicles' structural integrity and optimal performance.
Below we have compared the average annual maintenance costs of different Volkswagen models.
| Model | Average Annual Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|
| Beetle | $577 |
| Passat | $556 |
| Golf | $649 |
| Jetta | $553 |
| Tiguan | $558 |
| Touareg | $974 |
The above comparison shows that Volkswagen Touareg is the most expensive vehicle to maintain. In contrast, the maintenance of other famous models may cost between $500 and $700, which is relatively affordable.
General Volkswagen Maintenance Cost
Just like other car brands, general maintenance tasks significantly affect the average maintenance cost of Volkswagen. Standard maintenance tasks of these vehicles include replacing general wear and tear items, oil changes, tire rotation, and battery inspection.
Here is a breakdown of the general Volkswagen maintenance cost (data is collected from RepairPal).
| General Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Cabin air filter replacement | $64 to $108 |
| Spark plugs replacement | $184 to $252 |
| Tire rotation | $58 to $74 |
| Oil change | $128 to $154 |
You can cover the general maintenance task of your vehicles by signing up for Volkswagen's free maintenance program. The brand uses specialized parts while manufacturing its cars, which are challenging to maintain and replace. You will notice that only some repair facilities could perform Volkswagen repairs, at least in a skilled and timely manner. In addition, the specialized Volkswagen components may require more effort and time to replace or repair, resulting in higher maintenance costs.
According to Volkswagen, car owners should be prepared to have the oil changed every 10,000 miles. Your vehicle may also need to get its oil changed every 5,000 miles depending on the type of oil your use and the car you drive. It is worth noting that some of the maintenance services for Volkswagen are cheaper than
Honda maintenance cost and
Toyota maintenance costs.
Volkswagen Scheduled Maintenance
Scheduled maintenance is everything about preserving your cars' optimal condition and performance. The more often you get your vehicles at an auto repair shop, the costlier your Volkswagen annual maintenance cost will be. You can get a list of suggested maintenance schedules in your Volkswagen (VM) ownership manual. Every Volkswagen driver must follow these maintenance intervals to avoid costlier auto repairs.
When budgeting for your Volkswagen annual maintenance cost, considering the costs of sudden electrical and mechanical repairs is vital. Below we have listed some of the standard maintenance your Volkswagen may encounter.
| Recommended Schedule | Common Repairs | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Every 50,000 miles to 100,000 miles | Strut bearing replacement | $233 to $285 |
| Every 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles | Timing belt replacement | $698 to $643 |
| It may vary | Oil pump replacement | $465 to $643 |
| Every 100,000 miles | Head gasket replacement | $926 to $1,218 |
Comparing the Maintenance Cost of Volkswagen with other Reputable Brands
You will find more than 30 manufacturers in the automotive industry of the United States. When buying a new vehicle, you will only consider some of the 30 brands. But getting a quote from different brands is good for getting the best offers at the best rates.
Here we will compare the average annual maintenance cost of Volkswagen vehicles and other reputable brands to help you find how this brand sets itself apart from the competition.
| Brand Name | Annual Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen | $672 |
| Honda | $428 |
| Toyota | $441 |
| Subaru | $617 |
| Audi | $987 |
| Volvo | $769 |
Volkswagen's Free & Prepaid Maintenance Plans
In 2020, Volkswagen limited its manufacturer warranty to 4 years per 50,000 miles. But the brand started its carefree maintenance program to cover the expensive repairs for 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. In addition to a free maintenance plan, Volkswagen offers some prepaid intends to cover the repairs for longer.
Volkswagen facilitates buyers with a variety of prepaid maintenance programs. Each program is available for Volkswagen models 2014 and newer. However, remember that Volkswagen's Care Basic program is only available for 2016 to 2019 Volkswagen models.
See the following table to learn more about care plans of Volkswagen.
| Care Plan | Services Provided |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen care 80 | At 80,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care 70 | At 70,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care 60 | At 60,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care 50 | At 50,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care 40 | At 40,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care extra | At 30,000 miles |
| Volkswagen care basic | Between 10,000 and 20,000 miles |
To know the actual cost of your selected Volkswagen care plan, you need to contact Volkswagen dealerships. Then, you can negotiate the prices of these care plans to lower the average tune-up Volkswagen cost
Volkswagen Extended Warranties
Unexpected and sudden repairs can significantly increase the prices of Volkswagen maintenance. Having an extended warranty on your side can help avoid costlier auto repair bills. You can purchase an extended warranty from Volkswagen or an independent warranty provider.
Extended car warranties ensure that if your Volkswagen experiences a mechanical repair during a specific period of mileage or time, it will be covered by your warranty provider. With an extended warranty, you only have to pay for the cost of your selected contract and deductibles.
All the new Volkswagen vehicles come with a limited factory warranty lasting up to 4 years or 50,000 miles. However, you can stretch this factory warranty up to 10 years per 120,000 miles by signing up for a Volkswagen extended warranty. VM offers three extended warranty options to provide the best coverage at competitive rates.
Volkswagen owners can choose from the following warranty plans:
Powertrain: It is the most basic warranty plan offered by Volkswagen. This plan covers the fundamental components of your car's powertrain, such as transmission, engine, drive train, and transfer case.
Gold: The Gold warranty plan covers your car's powertrain plus some additional components, including electric parts, electrical, fuel system, climate control, and front and rear suspension.
Platinum: Platinum is an exclusionary warranty plan with bumper-to-bumper coverage. This warranty plan covers almost all the costlier parts of your vehicle with some exclusions. The exclusion list of platinum extended warranty options may include body panels, wiper blades, and spark plugs.
How can extended warranties help lower your Volkswagen tune-up cost?
Extended warranties (aka extended service contracts) are ideal for getting help with standard repairs and breakdown costs. These warranties enable you to choose a coverage plan you want. You can choose between basic to bumper-to-bumper coverage levels.
For example, with an extended warranty, you only have to pay a small number of deductibles instead of paying $1,200 for a gasket replacement of your Volkswagen Jetta.
Third-Party Extended Warranties for Volkswagen Vehicles
If you want to avoid purchasing an extended auto warranty from the manufacturers, you can get it from independent warranty companies. Third-party extended contracts come with cheaper plans and higher term limits than the manufacturer's extended warranties.
Above this, the third-party extended warranties also allow you to take your Volkswagen to any ASE-certified auto repair shop. Independent extended warranty companies also offer some additional perks with their warranty plans. For example, you can access roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and travel reimbursement.
Getting quotes from different warranty providers for extended warranties is essential to get the best coverage for your Volkswagen car at the best rates. Our top picks for Volkswagen extended warranty providers include:
Final Verdict: Is the Volkswagen car expensive to maintain?
Before making a purchase, many people ask, are Volkswagens reliable? The brand is well-known worldwide due to the reliability and safety of its luxurious vehicles. However, some models of Volkswagen are expensive to maintain because they use specialized components, which are difficult to repair or replace.
According to RepairPal, Volkswagen owners may pay up to $672 to maintain their vehicles' structural integrity and performance. Volkswagen also offers three different extended warranty plans to provide its buyers with the best coverage at affordable rates.
The Car Data Review Methodology
Our expert review team is committed to providing honest and objective information. Based on consumer data, we identified the following rating categories and did extensive research to determine the top extended auto warranty providers.
- Affordable: Many factors influence the cost of a service, making it difficult to compare prices between providers. Our secret shopper team analyzes different vehicles, mileages, and warranty plans to give you this rating.
- Coverage - Each consumer has different needs. Every car warranty company must offer a variety of coverage options. We consider the number of plans available, terms limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB), ratings, availability, years in business, and other factors when determining this score.
- Customer Services: Trusted extended car warranty companies provide a level of customer care. We consider customer reviews, BBB complaints, and responsiveness to customer service.
Steven Dillon
Author
Steven is the founder and product tested for The Car Data, that has extensive knowledge in automotive industry. While most of his free time he participates in typical "car guy" activities, his passion for cars, data analytics, and tech, always has his looking for the next cool tool, software, trend, etc. to share with his audience on The Car Data or on his Instagram.
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