First-time buyers often focus on monthly payments and fuel economy, then get blindsided when repair bills start landing in their inbox. With tariffs, complex electronics, and premium parts all pushing costs higher, some brands are especially likely to deliver repair shocks. Here are 11 carmakers where ownership costs, policy changes, and parts pricing can turn what looked like a smart deal into a budget-busting surprise.

1) Land Rover, Owning a New Vehicle Costs Nearly $10,000 Annually

Land Rover sits squarely in the crosshairs of rising ownership costs, because you are paying luxury prices for both the vehicle and the upkeep. Industry data on owning a new vehicle shows that the typical driver faces nearly $10,000 annually once you add finance charges, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repairs. For a premium SUV brand like Land Rover, those repair and maintenance slices can be especially steep, thanks to complex drivetrains, advanced off-road systems, and high-end interiors.

For a first-time buyer, the shock often arrives after the warranty period, when a suspension overhaul or electronic fault can cost more than a year of insurance. That nearly $10,000 benchmark is an average across all brands, so if you choose a Land Rover with pricey European parts and specialized labor, your real-world total can climb well beyond that figure. The stakes are simple: underestimate those repair costs and you risk parking a luxury SUV you can no longer afford to keep on the road.

2) Jaguar, Sticker Shock

Jaguar appeals to buyers who want sleek styling and strong performance, but the brand is also a prime example of how fast sticker shock can move from the showroom to the service bay. The same analysis that pegs average new-vehicle ownership near $10,000 a year highlights how maintenance and repair costs rise as vehicles age. With Jaguar, you are dealing with performance engines, intricate electronics, and imported components, all of which can magnify that shock when something fails outside warranty coverage.

First-time luxury buyers often assume that a certified pre-owned Jaguar will behave like a mainstream sedan on the repair front, only to discover that a single out-of-warranty repair can rival several months of loan payments. When you factor in higher insurance and premium fuel, the total cost of ownership can quickly outstrip expectations. For anyone stepping into the brand for the first time, building a repair fund into your budget is not optional, it is essential risk management.

3) Porsche, Nearly $10,000 Annually

Porsche ownership is often framed as a dream purchase, yet the reality is that the brand lives at the upper edge of the “nearly $10,000 annually” ownership benchmark. Sports cars and high-performance SUVs use specialized brakes, tires, and driveline components that wear faster and cost more to replace than parts on a typical compact. Even routine services, such as fluid changes or scheduled inspections, can be significantly more expensive because they require more labor and brand-specific expertise.

For a first-time Porsche buyer, the shock often comes when consumables like performance tires need replacement far sooner than expected, or when a minor-seeming issue triggers a complex diagnostic process. That nearly $10,000 figure is an average across all new vehicles, so a Porsche that sees spirited driving or track days can push well beyond it. The broader trend is clear: as performance and technology increase, so does the financial exposure every time you book a service appointment.

4) BMW, Can Car Shoppers Avoid Tariff Sticker Shock by Buying American Brands?

BMW is a global brand with factories in multiple countries, which makes it a textbook case for how tariffs can ripple into repair costs. Reporting on whether buyers can dodge tariff sticker shock by choosing American brands explains that the supply chain is deeply intertwined, and many “American” vehicles still rely on imported parts. BMW models assembled in the United States often use engines, transmissions, or electronics sourced from Europe, leaving owners exposed when trade policy changes.

For first-time BMW buyers, that means a tariff on imported components can quietly inflate the price of replacement parts, from body panels to control modules. Even if the SUV was built in a U.S. plant, a damaged headlight or transmission repair might involve parts that carry extra tariff costs. The implication is that you cannot assume domestic assembly will shield you from policy-driven repair inflation, especially with a brand that leans heavily on global parts networks.

5) Mercedes-Benz, It’s Not That Simple

Mercedes-Benz markets itself as a blend of comfort and engineering, but when you look at repair costs, it’s not that simple to separate the brand from broader global pricing pressures. The same reporting that questions whether buyers can escape tariffs by going “American” underscores how modern vehicles mix parts from multiple continents. Mercedes sedans and SUVs sold in the United States often rely on European-sourced drivetrains and electronics, which can become more expensive when tariffs or currency shifts hit.

For a first-time Mercedes owner, the complexity shows up when a seemingly routine repair, such as a sensor replacement or suspension component, carries a higher-than-expected parts bill. Because the brand is tightly integrated into global supply chains, any disruption or added cost at the border can filter down to your service invoice. The broader trend is that luxury brands with intricate technology and international sourcing leave owners more exposed to policy and logistics shocks than many realize at purchase time.

6) Audi, Which Car Brands Will Be Impacted Most by Trump’s 25% Auto Tariffs?

Audi is one of the European brands singled out in discussions of which car brands will be impacted most by Trump’s 25% auto tariffs, and that has direct implications for repair costs. When a 25% tariff hits imported vehicles and parts, it does not just raise sticker prices, it also affects the cost of replacement components that keep those cars running. Audi’s reliance on European-built engines, transmissions, and body parts means that tariff-driven increases can show up every time you need collision work or major mechanical repairs.

For first-time Audi buyers, the risk is that a fender-bender or out-of-warranty drivetrain issue becomes significantly more expensive than a comparable repair on a domestically sourced model. Higher parts prices can also push insurance premiums upward, since insurers must account for the increased cost of settling claims. The stakes extend beyond individual owners, because widespread tariff impacts on brands like Audi can reshape which vehicles insurers and lenders view as higher-risk from a cost perspective.

7) Volvo, Trump’s 25% Auto Tariffs

Volvo, with its strong European manufacturing base, is another brand where Trump’s 25% auto tariffs loom large over repair bills. Reporting on these tariffs notes that the United States is imposing a 25% charge on cars not made in the country, aiming to boost American manufacturing and generate $100 billion annually. For Volvo owners, that policy environment means vehicles and parts shipped from Europe can carry substantial added costs that filter directly into dealership service pricing.

First-time Volvo buyers may be drawn by safety reputations and Scandinavian design, but they also need to recognize how tariff policy can affect long-term affordability. If a collision repair requires imported body panels or structural components, the tariff burden can significantly inflate the estimate. Because the policy is explicitly designed to shift production and revenue, brands like Volvo that rely on overseas plants become case studies in how geopolitical decisions can surprise everyday drivers at the repair counter.

8) Infiniti, 3 Cars Under $10,000 to Buy in 2025

Infiniti often competes on value in the luxury space, which is why it fits into conversations about 3 cars under $10,000 to buy in 2025 and other budget-focused lists. Even when entry prices look attractive, especially for older or lower-trim models, the repair reality can be very different once you move into higher trims or more complex powertrains. Premium features such as adaptive suspensions, advanced driver-assistance systems, and turbocharged engines can all drive up the cost of parts and labor.

For a first-time Infiniti buyer, the trap is assuming that a low purchase price guarantees low ownership costs. An affordable used sedan might share its platform with a mainstream Nissan, but higher trims often use unique components that are more expensive to replace. The broader lesson is that even brands associated with value can deliver luxury-level repair bills, particularly when you opt for technology-heavy versions that looked like bargains on the sales lot.

9) Acura, Experts Shock With the First Spot

Acura frequently appears in rankings where experts shock with the first spot, highlighting models that seem surprisingly attainable for first-time buyers. That kind of expert endorsement can create the impression that long-term costs will also be gentle, yet the reality is more nuanced. Acura vehicles often pack sophisticated engines, dual-clutch transmissions, and complex infotainment systems, all of which can carry higher repair costs than a basic compact from a non-premium brand.

For new owners, the surprise comes when a high-tech feature fails outside warranty or when performance-oriented components wear out faster than expected. Even if reliability scores are strong, the price of individual parts and the need for specialized diagnostics can push repair invoices higher than a buyer anticipated from an “affordable luxury” badge. The broader takeaway is that expert praise for purchase value does not automatically translate into low lifetime repair spending.

10) Cadillac, Tariff Sticker Shock

Cadillac is often marketed as a proudly American luxury brand, yet it is not immune to tariff sticker shock. Reporting on tariffs and American brands stresses that many vehicles assembled in the United States still rely on imported components, from electronics to drivetrains. Cadillac’s global sourcing strategy means that even domestically built sedans and SUVs can carry parts that become more expensive when tariffs or trade disputes escalate.

For first-time Cadillac buyers, the assumption that a domestic badge guarantees insulation from policy-driven cost spikes can be costly. A collision repair involving imported sensors or lighting units, for example, may be priced as if you were driving a fully imported luxury car. The stakes extend to insurance and leasing, because higher parts costs can influence premiums and residual values, reshaping how affordable a Cadillac really is over a typical ownership cycle.

11) Chrysler, 2025-04-11

Chrysler, long associated with minivans and family sedans, is deeply tied to the same tariff and supply-chain dynamics highlighted in reporting dated 2025-04-11. That coverage emphasizes how even brands perceived as domestic can depend on imported components, leaving owners exposed when tariffs or logistics issues raise parts prices. For Chrysler, which shares platforms and parts across global corporate siblings, a disruption in one region can quickly affect repair costs in U.S. dealerships.

First-time Chrysler buyers may be drawn by incentives and family-friendly packaging, but they still need to budget for potential tariff-related increases in parts and service. A transmission built overseas or an electronic module sourced from a foreign supplier can carry added costs that show up only when something breaks. The broader trend is that policy decisions and supply-chain complexity are now central to understanding repair risk, even for brands that look comfortably familiar on American roads.