Cars with the Lowest Maintenance Cost in UAE

Buying a new car always involves several key aspects. While the purchase price is one big factor, what also influences the final decision is the running and maintenance cost. Many buyers consider the car's overall ownership cost before they arrive at their choice. There is a merit to the fact that maintenance is a key element during the car’s ownership period, not just cost but also effort. In countries like the UAE, extreme climates, extensive road networks, and high mileage demands mean maintenance expenses significantly impact your budget. Therefore, buying a more reliable, dependable, and low-maintenance car is vital in the long term.

What is essentially the maintenance cost of a typical car in the UAE? Aside from wear and tear, the costs for periodic maintenance tasks such as oil changes, brake replacements, filter replacements, air and cabin filter changes, coolant flushes, battery replacements, transmission fluid changes, brake inspections, and tyre rotations can add up quickly. Hence, selecting the right car with highly reliable and readily available spare parts and extensive service could potentially save considerably for car owners. Most evolved buyers know cars available at lower prices are not always the most economic; quite the opposite. If you are looking for a lower-maintenance car but are not sure where to start, we list the top ones you can consider. Read to know more.

Top 7 Cars with Lowest Maintenance Costs in UAE

1. Toyota Corolla 

It is no surprise to find the first car on the list from the brand Toyota. We pick the Corolla simply because it is not only an affordable mid-size sedan that families love and admire but also the most cost-effective to maintain in the UAE. This 4,630 mm sedan has, for over a decade now, been known for its solid reliability and overall valuable total cost of ownership.

Getting spare parts is easiest at a competitive price, which is what matters the most. The service intervals are long, 10,000 km, with basic packages starting as low as AED 800. And Toyota’s legendary service and extensive dealer network are hard to beat; they also offer the most professional service. The 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre engines require minimal intervention, and the hybrid achieves 27 km/l fuel efficiency.

Toyota Care Plus provides 3-year/60,000 km coverage from AED 2,400. It is common for the Corolla to cross 300,000 km quite easily. Regular consumables like brake pads and filters are among the cheapest in class. Legendary resale value protects your investment.

2. Honda Civic 

Another Japanese brand known for reliable cars is the Honda Civic compact sedan, offering reliability and surprisingly low maintenance costs. This 4,650 mm sedan is more highly regarded for its driving engagement than the Corolla and also excels at maintaining excellent ownership economics.

The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine gives 180 hp while achieving 17 km/l fuel economy. Service intervals are 10,000 km, with annual maintenance averaging AED 1,500–2,000. In this case, you also get easy spare parts at a reasonable price. The superior build quality ensures fewer unexpected repairs; CVT transmission, suspension, and cooling systems are engineered for harsh climates like the ones we face in the UAE.

Another plus is Honda's extensive network spread across the country, which assures quick service accessibility. Insurance costs are not highly expensive, and a strong resale value helps too.

3. Nissan Sunny

The Nissan Sunny is another highly popular compact sedan that qualifies as the lowest-maintenance car in the country. It balances affordability and low maintenance costs by maintaining a no-nonsense performance record, which also makes it popular among fleet customers throughout the UAE—a clear indication of its durability and maintenance.

The 4,496 mm sedan's 1.6-litre engine is known for greater performance with minimal troubles. You will find the annual servicing averages just AED 1,000–1,500, among the lowest in the segment. Availability of spare parts is not an issue; they are exceptionally affordable and universally available. The mechanical simplicity means fewer components to fail, and Nissan, having been present for decades, has an extensive dealer spread in all Emirates. Check Out the Latest Nissan Models of 2026.

4. Mitsubishi Attrage 

The Mitsubishi Attrage undoubtedly leads the pack in the maintenance cost in the budget segment. This entry-level sedan is known for its lowest total cost of ownership in the UAE market.

The 1.2-litre is highly efficient, with a high mileage of over 20 km/l, which means lower running costs. You can expect annual maintenance costs to average just AED 800-1,200, which certainly is exceptionally low. The service intervals are 10,000 km, and securing spare parts is incredibly inexpensive, like brake services and consumables, which cost significantly less than many of its competitors. The mechanically simple design means fewer failure points.

5. Hyundai Elantra 

This is another medium sedan from the Korean brand, which is considered maintenance-friendly. The Hyundai Elantra is a blend of advanced features with efficiency and competitive maintenance costs. This 4,620 mm sedan comes in a premium and sleek exterior design with a quite competitive price.

Its 2.0-litre engine achieves a mileage of 15 km/l, and the annual maintenance averages AED 1,800-2,500, which is certainly quite reasonable for its size. You also get Hyundai's comprehensive 5-year/160,000 km warranty, which provides exceptional peace of mind. Then this brand is known to offer spare parts pricing that is competitive, generally lower than Japanese equivalents.

The Elantra has a plush cabin with some admirable features, like a 10.25-inch touchscreen and advanced safety systems that come without premium maintenance penalties. The Korean build quality is solid with UV-resistant materials. Insurance costs are reasonable, and strong resale value protects investment.

6. Suzuki Swift 

You can also consider this popular hatch from Suzuki, as the Swift has proven big maintenance savings. This 3,845 mm compact car is the perfect city companion with ownership costs that make financial sense.

The 1.2-litre engine is known for its refinement and achieves a high mileage of 20 km/l fuel economy, which is great for a city car and brings down your running cost considerably. The annual maintenance costs average just AED 900-1,400, among the lowest available in the market. Also, the lightweight construction helps in less stress on brakes, tyres, and suspension, reducing wear and tear. Suzuki has been around in the UAE, and so getting spare parts is quick and remarkably affordable. The Swift's reliability reputation also assures fewer unexpected repairs.

7. Kia Sportage 

The Kia Sportage brings compact SUV practicality with surprisingly manageable maintenance costs. This 4,515 mm crossover SUV ownership doesn't necessarily mean premium expenses.

It comes with a refined and well-tuned 2.0-litre which offers mileage of around 13-14 km/l fuel economy, not bad for an SUV. The annual maintenance averages AED 2,500–3,500, which is competitive for the segment. What is most compelling is Kia's industry-leading 7-year/150,000 km warranty, which provides unmatched coverage and avoids major repair concerns.

You get easy and quick spare parts at competitive prices, generally lower than Japanese or European SUV competitors. Some key features like a panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats, come without premium maintenance penalties. Strong resale value and a comprehensive warranty make the Sportage an intelligent choice which is also lower on maintenance.

Conclusion

As a car owner, you should always consider maintenance a critical aspect of ownership. When purchasing your car, it is important to consider maintenance. A lower maintenance car, even if it is slightly pricey, could potentially save you significant money during longer ownership and hassle-free motoring.

Today you will find many brands taking cognisance of the fact that car owners don't want to spend much on maintenance. Hence, they offer cars that are pocket-friendly to maintain.

The key aspect to lowering costs is choosing brands with a strong UAE presence and maintaining the car according to manufacturer schedules. All the seven cars we have listed have a proven track record of making owners happy with their moderate maintenance cost. You can start with them, research carefully, compare service packages, and choose a vehicle that fits your needs and budget for years of economical, trouble-free motoring.