How to Budget for Annual Car Maintenance (Without Guessing)

It's easy to ignore car maintenance until something goes wrong — but that "check engine" light, squeaky brake, or dead battery always seems to show up at the worst (and most expensive) time. The truth is, most of these costs aren't random — and with a little planning, they don't have to feel like surprises.

The good news? You don't need a complicated spreadsheet or guesswork to create a realistic maintenance budget. You just need a few smart starting points — and a bit of consistency.

Here's how to do it.

Know What to Expect Each Year

Even if your car's running fine, it still needs regular upkeep. Most drivers can expect to pay for things like:

• Oil changes
• Tire rotations
• Brake inspections
• Fluid top-offs
• Filter replacements
• Occasional tire or battery replacement

On average, maintenance can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per year, depending on your car's age, mileage, and how (or where) you drive. It adds up — but knowing what's coming makes it easier to prepare.

If you're not sure what your specific car needs, don't worry — there's a built-in roadmap.

Check the Maintenance Schedule (It's in Your Glovebox)

Your owner's manual isn't exactly light reading, but it lays out exactly what your car needs at certain mileage or time intervals. That includes major services like timing belts, as well as more frequent jobs like oil and air filter changes.

Following the schedule helps keep your car running longer — and it gives you a rough idea of what to expect each year. It also helps you avoid "surprise" repairs that could've been caught early.

Bonus: Keeping up with this schedule may help preserve your warranty and even increase your car's resale value down the line.

Look Back at Last Year's Costs

If you've had your car for more than a year, pull up past receipts or credit card statements and see what you spent on maintenance — oil changes, brake pads, filters, tires, repairs, etc.

You'll probably notice a pattern. Maybe you had one big expense (like new tires), but the rest was fairly routine. Or maybe you've been coasting and know something major is due soon.

Use that number as a baseline. Even if next year looks a little different, averaging the past couple of years can give you a solid monthly goal.

Set Aside a Little Each Month — Even If Nothing's Broken

Once you have a rough number, divide it by 12 and make it part of your monthly budget. You can set up a separate savings account or just earmark the amount in your budget app of choice.

Example:

If your annual average is around $800, setting aside $65–70/month gives you a decent cushion for expected (and unexpected) maintenance. It won't make car trouble fun — but it'll make it manageable.

This also makes it easier to handle the bigger stuff, like tires or brakes, without needing to dip into savings or put it on a credit card.

Don't Forget the "Occasional" Costs

Some maintenance items only come up every few years — but they're big enough that they deserve space in your plan. Things like:

• New tires
• Battery replacement
• Brake pads and rotors
• Timing belts or chains
• Suspension work

If your car is getting older or you're hearing weird noises, it's a good idea to research what tends to go wrong at your mileage range. That way, you're not caught off guard when a mechanic brings it up.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to be a car expert to stay ahead of maintenance — just a little planning goes a long way. By reviewing your service schedule, tracking past costs, and setting aside a manageable monthly amount, you can avoid sticker shock when something needs fixing.

And here's the bonus: staying on top of maintenance doesn't just save money at the shop — it can help keep your insurance costs in check, too. A well-maintained car is less likely to break down or contribute to an accident, and that makes you a lower risk to insurers.

If it's been a while since you compared policies, this is also a smart time to shop around — especially if you've been keeping your car in good shape. Better maintenance might mean better rates.