How Much Does Volkswagen Maintenance Cost?
To learn more about our editorial integrity policy and how we make money through affiliate partnerships, read our full disclosure here.
Purchasing a new Volkswagen is a major investment, but between regularly scheduled maintenance, unforeseen breakdowns, and potential collision damage, the cost of ownership goes far beyond the price of a car. So, how much will Volkswagen maintenance cost you per year?
It’s hard to pin down exact repair costs, but in this article, we’ll take a look at everything that goes into Volkswagen maintenance costs to give you a ballpark estimate of how much you should expect to pay to keep your vehicle running in peak condition.
We’ll describe common repairs and average pricing, then explain how you can make your Volkswagen maintenance cost more affordable with one of the best extended car warranties on the market. In some cases, extended coverage pays for itself, as the cost of car maintenance outweighs that of the warranty.
To start comparing quotes, reach out to our top recommended warranty providers above.
Table of contents
Is Volkswagen a Reliable Car Brand?
Overall, Volkswagen’s reliability is about average compared to all car brands. They certainly aren’t the most dependable vehicles on the road, but you won’t need to worry too much about them failing out of the blue, either.
The more reliable your VW car is, the less likely you are to encounter repair and maintenance costs that will break the bank. To measure vehicle dependability, we use repair data and reliability ratings from RepairPal, a site that estimates common vehicle service costs based on driver-submitted reports.
RepairPal rates Volkswagen 3.5 out of 5.0 stars for reliability, which ranks it 12th out of the 32 car brands tested. Some factors that impact this rating are the average annual Volkswagen maintenance cost—including scheduled and unscheduled car repairs—the frequency of trips to the repair shop, and the likelihood that repairs will be severe.
Here’s a breakdown of how Volkswagen cars are scored:
Category |
Volkswagen |
Average |
|---|---|---|
Annual maintenance cost |
$676 |
$652 |
Frequency of repairs |
0.5 repairs per year |
0.4 repairs per year |
Severity of repairs |
11% of repairs are considered severe |
12% of repairs are considered severe |
As you can see, the average annual Volkswagen maintenance cost is $24 higher than the industry-wide average cost, but the likelihood of encountering severe repairs is slightly lower than average.
What’s the Average Volkswagen Maintenance Cost?
According to RepairPal, the average Volkswagen maintenance cost is $676 per year, which is just over the industry-wide $652 average.
This estimated Volkswagen maintenance cost includes oil changes, tire rotations, and replacements of wear-and-tear items like engine filters and windshield wipers. It also factors in the price of unforeseen auto repairs that are bound to occur throughout your car’s lifetime.
Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program
In 2020, Volkswagen rolled out a new warranty program, shortening its factory coverage from 6 years/72,000 miles to 4 years/56,000 miles and beginning its Carefree Maintenance Plan.
All 2020 or newer Volkswagens leave the dealership with a Carefree Maintenance Plan that covers your first two scheduled maintenance appointments (at 10,000 and 20,000 miles).
If your vehicle is a model year 2019 or older, you aren’t eligible for the Carefree Maintenance Plan. But you can purchase one of Volkswagen’s other prepaid maintenance plans. Through these plans, you can also get additional protection if you have a 2020 vehicle that’s hit 20,000 miles.
Here is an outline of Volkswagen’s maintenance plans:
Plan Eligibility |
Volkswagen Care Plan |
Plan Details |
|---|---|---|
2014 or newer Volkswagens |
Volkswagen Care (comes in five term limit options) |
Provides maintenance coverage from 30,000 to 80,000 miles |
2014 or newer Volkswagens |
Volkswagen Care Extra |
Covers 30,000-mile service |
2016–2019 Volkswagens |
Volkswagen Care Basic |
Covers 10,000- and 20,000-mile services |
Extended Car Warranties and Volkswagen Maintenance Cost
Whether driving a Tiguan or a Passat, when estimating your annual Volkswagen maintenance cost, you’ll need to factor in both routine services and potential mechanical repairs. Recommended scheduled maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations are easy to budget for, but what about the costs of unexpected breakdowns?
To better estimate how much a breakdown may set you back, take a look at some common Volkswagen repairs and their estimated costs, according to RepairPal:
Volkswagen Repair |
Cost |
Covered Under an Extended Warranty |
|---|---|---|
Brake pad replacement |
$188 to $286 |
No |
Fuel pump replacement |
$587 to $625 |
Yes |
Catalytic converter |
$2,283 to $2,329 |
Varies |
Suspension shock or strut assembly replacement |
$279 to $508 |
Yes |
Radiator replacement |
$559 to $633 |
Yes |
Air conditioning compressor replacement |
$724 to $1,272 |
Yes |
As you can see, an extended car warranty could help make your Volkswagen maintenance cost less year over year—especially if these repairs cost more than the warranty itself.
Our Top Recommendations for Extended Warranties
If you’re looking to lower your annual Volkswagen maintenance costs, an extended auto warranty might be a great investment. Depending on the plan you choose and how reliable your vehicle is, many warranties end up paying for themselves.
When choosing an extended car warranty, it’s important to choose a reputable provider that offers plenty of plan options and added benefits to be sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Based on our research team’s analysis of every major car warranty provider on the market, we recommend checking out Endurance or CarShield to help lower your Volkswagen maintenance costs.
Endurance: Best Coverage
We find Endurance to be the overall best extended car warranty provider on the market because of its high coverage limits and extensive benefits, including complimentary roadside assistance. Endurance offers six levels of vehicle protection:
- Supreme: Bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage
- Superior: Highest level of stated-component coverage
- Secure Plus: Enhanced powertrain coverage
- Secure: Affordable powertrain coverage
- Select Premier: Coverage designed for high-mileage cars
- EnduranceAdvantageTM: Combines coverage for both unexpected mechanical breakdowns and your vehicle’s routine maintenance schedule
Read our comprehensive Endurance warranty review for more information, or use the buttons below to get a free, personalized quote for your Volkswagen model.
CarShield: Best Value
If you’re worried about high Volkswagen maintenance costs, an extended warranty from CarShield may be your best bet. In our research, we determined CarShield offered the best extended car warranty for drivers on a budget. Coverage plans are among the most comprehensive and affordable in the industry.
CarShield offers five levels of coverage for cars and is one of the only reputable extended car warranty companies to cover all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles as well. The five coverage plans for cars are as follows:
- Diamond: Bumper-to-bumper coverage that’s best for new cars
- Platinum: Comprehensive coverage for high-mileage vehicles and used cars
- Gold: Enhanced powertrain coverage
- Silver: Affordable powertrain coverage
- Aluminum: Specialty coverage for high-tech systems
You can learn more about this provider in our in-depth CarShield review.
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
More by Stephen Kenney
Comments
Join the conversation