For British drivers feeling the pinch, the true cost of motoring extends far beyond the showroom price. A new analysis has identified the car brands that are the most affordable to keep on the road over the long term, with some surprising results at both ends of the scale.
The Top Performers for Long-Term Value
Online used car parts marketplace Ovoko conducted the research, examining average annual maintenance costs and the likelihood of vehicles being written off after accidents for 20 popular brands in the UK. The study, covering data from 2019 to 2025, combined these factors to create a Long-Term Maintenance Score out of 100.
MINI claimed the top spot with a perfect score of 100. The British-built brand pairs reasonable annual maintenance costs of £425 with the lowest write-off rate in the study at 63.16%. This suggests MINIs are not only affordable to service but are also robust enough to survive accidents that might see other cars scrapped.
In second place, with a score of 95, is Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer proves that budget-friendly cars don't have to be costly to maintain, matching MINI's £425 annual upkeep figure. Its write-off likelihood is only slightly higher at 64.29%.
Volkswagen completes the podium, scoring 92.6. The German giant also benefits from the £425 average maintenance cost and a write-off probability of 64.85%. Experts suggest its use of standardised components across models helps keep repair bills manageable.
Key Findings and Notable Surprises
Toyota and Skoda rounded out the top five, scoring 89.4 and 86.9 respectively. Both benefit from strong reputations for reliability and shared engineering, with Skoda leveraging its Volkswagen Group connections.
However, the ranking held some shocks. Honda, famed for its durability, languished in 13th place with a low score of 34.8. This was largely due to one of the study's highest write-off likelihoods at 78.10%, challenging its hardy image.
At the very bottom of the table, premium marque BMW scored zero. Despite its high purchase price, it recorded annual maintenance costs of £625 and a write-off likelihood of 56.51%, making it the most challenging brand to maintain long-term according to this research.
Another premium brand, Mercedes-Benz, told a different story. It ranked seventh with a score of 74.18. While its maintenance costs are a steep £625, it boasts the lowest write-off rate of all brands analysed at just 39.49%, indicating its vehicles are often repairable after a crash.
What Makes a Car Survivable?
Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko, explained the key factors that determine whether a car is repaired or written off. "The availability of spare parts matters far more than many motorists appreciate," he said. Brands like Volkswagen, Skoda, and SEAT share parts across ranges, creating economies of scale that keep prices down and ensure swift availability.
Urbonas contrasted this with some premium brands: "If a part has to be ordered from abroad or is unique to a specific model, that drives up costs. We see this where even minor repairs can take weeks because parts aren't stocked in the UK."
The financial logic of repairs is paramount. Insurers declare cars a total loss when repair bills exceed a certain percentage of the vehicle's value. This is why some budget brands score poorly—their low market value works against them after a collision, even if routine servicing is cheap.
Design philosophy also plays a crucial role. Manufacturers focusing on durability and collision protection build cars that can withstand greater impact, potentially justifying higher maintenance costs for drivers who plan to keep their vehicle for a decade or more.
Expert Advice for Cost-Effective Motoring
Urbonas offered clear guidance for drivers wanting to minimise long-term costs:
Choose the right brand from the start. "Do your research, look at the data, and think long-term. A cheaper car with high maintenance costs and poor survivability can end up costing you more over ten years," he advised.
Check parts availability before buying used. "A used car might look like a bargain, but if you can't get parts when something breaks, you'll end up paying over the odds or scrapping it prematurely."
Evaluate total ownership costs, not just the purchase price. Considering insurance, maintenance, and potential write-off risks gives a far more accurate picture of a vehicle's true cost to you.
The study serves as a stark reminder that for UK motorists, the smartest financial decision isn't always the car with the smallest price tag, but the one designed to stay on the road for the longest, for the least.
