Insurance
$3,400/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $3,400 a year on a national average against $415 for upkeep.
Tesla Model 3 Maintenance Cost (2017–2026)
Report ACI-TES-MODEL3 · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-TES-MODEL3
Tesla Model 3
ev · midsize car · MY 2017–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $415
- 10-year total
- $4,150
- Cost rank
- #3 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 15%
Average Annual Cost $415
$35per month
3.5¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Tesla Model 3 ranks #3 of 52 vehicles we track — among the cheapest cars to keep running.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
No oil changes or transmission service; spending concentrates in tires, cabin filters, and brake fluid.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | $70 | 6,250 mi |
| Cabin air filter | $75 | 24,000 mi |
| Brake fluid check/exchange | $130 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $1,200 | 40,000 mi |
| Wiper blades (pair) | $35 | 15,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $100 | $100 |
| Age 2 | $150 | $250 |
| Age 3 | $260 | $510 |
| Age 4 | $330 | $840 |
| Age 5 | $380 | $1,220 |
| 5-year total | $1,220 | $1,220 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#3 of 52
The Tesla Model 3 ranks #3 of 52 vehicles we track — among the cheapest cars to keep running.
EV service profile
No oil, ever
No oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission service. Costs concentrate in tires — EV torque and weight wear them faster — plus cabin filters and periodic brake-fluid checks.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Model 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3This page | $415 | $4,150 | — |
| Toyota Camry | $455 | $4,550 | +$40/yr |
| Tesla Model Y | $470 | $4,700 | +$55/yr |
| Honda Civic | $482 | $4,820 | +$67/yr |
| Honda Accord | $498 | $4,975 | +$83/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Tesla Model 3 expensive to maintain?
No. The Model 3 averages $415 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #3 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That places it among the cheapest vehicles we track to keep running.
What does a Tesla Model 3 cost to maintain per year?
$415 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $35 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $100; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $730. Ten-year total: $4,150.
What are the most common Model 3 services?
The routine items are tire rotation (~$70), cabin air filter (~$75), brake fluid check/exchange (~$130). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
Does the Model 3 need oil changes?
No. The Model 3 has no engine oil, spark plugs, or transmission fluid to service. Scheduled care is limited to tire rotation, cabin filters, brake-fluid checks, and wiper blades — which is why its routine costs sit below comparable gas vehicles.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $3,400 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
More Tesla models
Similar running costs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19