Cars with Free Maintenance

2022-08-13 11:55:31 By : Bery Zhao

Are you looking for cars with free maintenance? If you are, you are not alone. While today's cars typically require less regular maintenance than ever, the cost of care keeps increasing. Inflation and supply-chain issues compound the problem because as parts get more expensive, maintenance costs inevitably follow. Savvy consumers are seeking free maintenance programs as an antidote to high service costs.

Why do carmakers offer free maintenance? Most brands that offer no-cost maintenance do so to enhance their vehicles' overall cost of ownership, something that wise consumers should consider when purchasing a car. Others do it to counter a past reputation for spotty reliability or high maintenance costs. Still others offer complimentary maintenance as a way to introduce the owners of their vehicles to their dealers' service operations.

To the consumer, the reason carmakers offer free maintenance isn't nearly as important as the fact that they provide it. Some programs are much more comprehensive than others, but it's hard to complain about anything free.

In this day of limited vehicle inventory, many carmakers don't find it advantageous to offer their customers free maintenance or other buying incentives, so the offers might change on a dime. Before you assume that any car your purchase offers a free maintenance program, check with the selling dealer and seek details on the free maintenance offer in writing. Then, when you have your vehicle service, remember to stick to the terms of the complimentary maintenance offer.

Below you will find a comprehensive rundown of cars with free maintenance.

Debuting for the 2023 model year, the new Acura Maintenance Program will cover all new Acura models with free maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles. Services will include standard oil and filter changes, tire rotations, and multi-point vehicle inspections. The money-saving perk is fully transferrable to subsequent owners during the coverage term.

Alfa Romeo provides free maintenance for the first year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Like many brands, it offers its buyers the opportunity to purchase prepaid maintenance plans that you can finance as a portion of the vehicle purchase.

No, Audi does not offer free maintenance. However, it offers prepaid Audi Car maintenance plans you can purchase with the vehicle.

All BMW vehicles sold or leased as new by an authorized BMW dealer come with BMW Ultimate Care standard for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. A BMW authorized service outlet must perform the service. The program covers engine oil filters, engine air filters, brake fluid, cabin filters, spark plugs, remote control key batteries, and fuel filters for diesel-powered vehicles. It also includes a vehicle check-up.

Free maintenance on new Buick vehicles includes the first oil change, tire rotation, and multi-point vehicle inspection.

Like Buick and other General Motors brands, Cadillac offers a free first oil change, tire rotation, and multi-faceted vehicle inspection.

One maintenance visit is free during the first 12 months of ownership of a Chevrolet vehicle purchased or leased as new. The covered maintenance includes oil and oil filter change, multi-point vehicle inspection, diesel exhaust fluid tank refill for diesel-equipped models, and tire rotation according to the vehicle's maintenance schedule.

Chrysler does not offer free maintenance on a national basis. Like most other Stellantis brands, it does offer prepaid maintenance plans.

Dodge does not offer free maintenance on a national basis. Like most other Stellantis brands, it does offer prepaid maintenance plans.

Fiat does not offer free maintenance on a national basis. However, it offers prepaid maintenance plans like most other Stellantis brands.

Ford does not offer a nationally available free maintenance plan, but like many other brands, it does offer a prepaid maintenance plan option. Length of coverage is variable depending on the specific plan chosen.

Genesis Complimentary Maintenance, available for 2017 and newer model-year Genesis vehicles, includes oil and oil filter change, cabin air filter change, and tire rotation at factory-recommended scheduled intervals for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. For the Genesis G90, the complimentary services also include the replacement of wiper blades, wheel alignment, and brake pads.

Like most GM brands, GMC offers free the first oil change, tire rotation, and vehicle inspection.

Selected Honda models currently offer Honda Service Pass complimentary maintenance. As of this writing, the program covers the 2023 Honda Odyssey and Honda HR-V models. The free services are oil changes, tire rotation, and multi-point inspection over the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership.

Hyundai offers its Complimentary Maintenance Program on all new 2020-2023 Hyundai retail vehicles sold on or after February 1, 2020. Available on all Hyundai models, it covers oil and oil filter changes and tire rotations performed in routine maintenance schedule intervals for the first three years or 36,000 miles. It does not apply to electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel-cell vehicles.

Infiniti brand vehicles do not have a free maintenance plan on a national basis. Prepaid maintenance plans are available for purchase.

Jaguar offers one of the most inclusive free maintenance plans from a manufacturer in the United States. Complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage for all new Jaguar models covers factory-recommended scheduled maintenance for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first. To receive scheduled maintenance, the owner must visit an authorized Jaguar dealer within one month or 1,000 miles of the scheduled maintenance interval.

Beginning with the 2021 model year, Jeep provides three years of "worry-free maintenance" with any new-vehicle purchase through its Jeep Wave customer care program. Jeep Wave covers the first three oil changes and tire rotations during the first 36 months of ownership. There is no mileage restriction, and Jeep-trained technicians perform all work at the dealership. Some 2016-2020 Jeep models also come with free Jeep Wave benefits, so check with your dealer to see if your vehicle qualifies.

Kia does not offer a national program of free vehicle maintenance.

Land Rover does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program. It does, however, offer prepaid maintenance plans.

Every Lexus purchased new comes with complimentary first and second scheduled maintenance services. Lexus provides the services at six months or 5,000 miles and 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Lincoln does not offer an all-encompassing nationally available free maintenance plan. However, Black Label trims come with four years/50,000 miles of premium maintenance. Like sister brand Ford, Lincoln does offer a prepaid maintenance plan option. Length of coverage is variable, depending on the specific plan chosen.

Maserati does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program.

Mazda does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program.

Mercedes-Benz does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program.

Mini has one of the most comprehensive free scheduled maintenance programs in its class, covering recommended scheduled maintenance for up to three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. An authorized Mini dealer must perform the services. The complimentary maintenance services include engine oil changes, brake fluid checks, engine air filter replacements, cabin air filter replacements, and vehicle inspections.

Mitsubishi does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program. You can, however, prepay for maintenance.

Nissan does not offer a nationally available free maintenance program.

Apart from EVs, Porsche includes the first scheduled maintenance with any new vehicle purchase. The covered first service on conventionally powered vehicles is most often due at one year or 10,000 miles. Service due dates and mileage may vary by model.

Ram does not offer free maintenance on a national basis. Like most other Stellantis brands, it does offer prepaid maintenance plans.

Subaru does not offer a nationally available free maintenance plan. However, certain regions offer two years or 24,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Tesla does not offer a nationally available free maintenance plan.

Every new Toyota comes with the ToyotaCare complimentary maintenance plan. With the purchase or lease of a new Toyota, the plan covers routine factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The free maintenance services include engine oil and oil filter changes, tire rotations, fluid level checks and adjustments, and multi-point inspections. Toyota also includes 24-hour roadside assistance for two years and unlimited miles.

Most Volkswagen models purchased new feature Scheduled Carefree Maintenance. It includes the first two years of manufacturer-recommended maintenance for 24 months or 20,000 miles, whichever occurs first.⁠ It covers items like oil changes and air filters.

The Volvo Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance Program covers all Volvo vehicles sold to new retail customers and registered in the U.S. by an authorized Volvo dealer. It includes complimentary scheduled maintenance during the vehicle's first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This typically consists of the first three regularly scheduled maintenance services, including complete diagnostic checks of all passive and active safety systems.

As this article describes, some brands offer lengthy free maintenance programs, while others provide much-abbreviated programs. And, of course, many brands don't offer no-charge maintenance at all. Since it is wise to adhere to the carmaker's recommended maintenance schedule, purchasing a car with free maintenance can be a substantial money-saver.

For more on car buying, visit the Shopping Guides section of the website.

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