Lexus maintenance costs are low compared to other vehicles on the market, which means you get the experience of driving a luxury car without having to pay for luxury repairs. That’s important, because the sticker price is merely one part of running a car.
So, exactly how much should you budget for every year? We’ll get into the specifics of Lexus maintenance costs and reliability here. We’ll also take a look at ways to minimize ownership costs by practicing regular maintenance and having a protracted warranty.
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division. Many vehicles from both brands share similar DNA, which means Lexus vehicles are easy to focus on and repair. Because of that, Repair Pal ranks Lexus in seventh place overall for its reliability. Repair Pal estimates the common Lexus maintenance cost is $551 per year for routine services and unscheduled repairs. This is lower than the industry average of $652.
It’s rare that a luxury brand’s ownership costs are less than the industry average. Most American and European luxury vehicles can be very expensive cars to maintain, and it’s really only Genesis and Acura which may have low costs like Lexus.
Lexus Service Schedule and Common Repairs
Lexus provides the first two services cost-free, that is a common benefit among luxury brands. Below is the schedule of major Lexus service intervals with additional maintenance items. The expenses result from RepairPal’s estimator for a 2020 Lexus ES 350.
Additional Service Items
The maintenance schedule above assumes you drive the average amount each year and in normal conditions. If you drive on dusty or dirt roads often, you should inspect the steering, suspension, and air filter at 5,000-mile intervals. It’s also wise to get the nuts and bolts on the chassis tightened every 5,000 miles.
Additionally, computerized vehicles that frequently idle or travel long distances at slow speeds must have the transmission fluid replaced every 60,000 miles. This includes police, door-to-door delivery, and taxis or rideshare vehicles. A car used under normal conditions shouldn’t need a transmission fluid replacement unless it’s part of a larger transmission repair later in the vehicle’s life.
Common Lexus Repairs
Of course, as time goes on, you’ll need to make other repairs and replacements beyond what is outlined in the service schedule. For example, every 15,000-mile service carries a suspension inspection. But when your car has 150,000 miles, that inspection may reveal some work that should be done.
How to Reduce Lexus maintenance cost
There are a few ways you can lower your annual Lexus maintenance cost, extend the life of your car, and reduce the likelihood of emergency repairs all at the same time. The most important thing to do is keep up with regular maintenance. Your Lexus will illuminate a service light when it’s time for maintenance, but you should also opt for additional services depending on your driving habits. If you use your automobile for ridesharing, for example, you’ll put more wear on the car and you should go set for service more frequently.
The manufacturer pays for new Lexus vehicles’ first two services, which is fantastic. You should also try the option to acquire prepaid car maintenance, which is called Lexus Luxury Care. Plans can be obtained from 2 years/20,000 miles to 5 years/90,000 miles with multiple options in between.
Lexus Luxury Care covers standard maintenance stuff like oil changes and inspections. It also covers larger maintenance milestones up until the mileage you select. That means it includes thorough inspections and replacement of things such as spark plugs and brake fluid.
Lexus Extended Warranty Options
The Lexus warrantee includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for 4 years/50,000 miles and powertrain coverage for 6 years/70,000 miles. After that, you can consider extended service plans if you wish to pay repairs for longer and reduce your Lexus maintenance costs.
A Lexus Platinum extended warrantee can cover up to 10 years/100,000 miles. Your Lexus is merely eligible for Lexus Extra Care plans although it continues to be within the factory guarantee period of 4 years/50,000 miles. In case your car has passed that limit, or if you wish longer coverage, you can get a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider.
Lexus Extra Care covers all of those common repairs we mentioned previously, as long as they happen within the time and mileage limits. Third-party warranties cover them as well, though some warrantee plans don’t cover exhaust systems or catalytic converters, which are both systems which contain oxygen sensors.
Lexus Extra Care plans need you to check out a Lexus dealership for repairs, and they don’t last so long as options from other providers. Ultimately, you’ll find more versatility and better pricing from third-party providers. Here are some more advantages to going with a reputable aftermarket car guarantee provider:
You can go to any licensed repair facility for coverage
Leading providers offer four to six plan options
Plans can cover vehicles up to 250,000 miles
You can buy a plan at any point in time
