How Much Does Lexus Maintenance Cost?

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Lexus maintenance costs are low compared to other vehicles in the industry, 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 just one part of owning a car.

So, exactly how much should you budget for each year? We’ll get into the specifics of Lexus maintenance costs and reliability here. We’ll also look at how you can minimize ownership costs by practicing regular maintenance and having an extended warranty. We’ve reviewed the best extended auto warranty companies and recommend getting free quotes from top-rated providers to find the best bang for your buck.

Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division. Many vehicles from the two brands share similar DNA, and that means Lexus vehicles are easy to work on and repair. Because of that, RepairPal ranks Lexus in seventh place overall for its reliability. RepairPal estimates the average 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 are expensive cars to maintain, and it’s really only Genesis and Acura that have low costs like Lexus.

Here’s how a few different popular Lexus models score for reliability, according to RepairPal:

The maintenance schedule above assumes you drive an 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. You should also get the nuts and bolts on the chassis tightened every 5,000 miles.

Additionally, automatic vehicles that frequently idle or travel long distances at slow speeds should have the transmission fluid replaced every 60,000 miles. This includes police, door-to-door delivery, and taxis or rideshare vehicles. A vehicle 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.

There are a few ways you can lower your annual Lexus maintenance cost, extend the life of your vehicle, 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 vehicle for ridesharing, for example, you’ll put more wear on the car and you should go in for service more frequently.

The manufacturer pays for new Lexus vehicles’ first two services, which is great. You also have the option to purchase prepaid car maintenance, which is called Lexus Luxury Care. Plans are available from 2 years/20,000 miles to 5 years/90,000 miles with multiple options in between.

Lexus Luxury Care covers standard maintenance items 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 like spark plugs and brake fluid.

The Lexus warranty 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 want to cover repairs for longer and reduce your Lexus maintenance costs.

The repairs we talked about above, like replacing control arms and oxygen sensors, aren’t covered under a maintenance plan. But they may be covered under an extended warranty.

The Lexus’ extended warranty is called Lexus Extra Care. It comes in three varieties:

A Lexus Platinum extended warranty can cover up to 10 years/100,000 miles. Your Lexus is only eligible for Lexus Extra Care plans while it is still within the factory warranty period of 4 years/50,000 miles. If your car has passed that limit, or if you want 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 above, as long as they happen within the time and mileage limits. Third-party warranties cover them as well, though some warranty plans don’t cover exhaust systems or catalytic converters, which are the two systems that contain oxygen sensors.

Lexus Extra Care plans require you to go to a Lexus dealership for repairs, and they don’t last as long as options from other providers. Ultimately, you’ll find more flexibility and better pricing from third-party providers. Here are a few more benefits to going with a reputable aftermarket car warranty provider:

Endurance is our top pick overall for many reasons. It has great customer service ratings, provides a wide range of coverage options, and has good transparency with sample contracts posted online. Endurance offers six plans that can cover vehicles over 200,000 miles. Plans range from basic to factory-level comprehensive coverage.

EnduranceAdvantageTM plans combine coverage for mechanical breakdowns and routine maintenance services, so they may be your best choice if you’re looking to cut down your annual Lexus maintenance cost.

If you want to learn more about this provider, you can check out our full Endurance warranty review. You can also get a free quote from Endurance by clicking below.

Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

Endurance is our pick for best coverage with its comprehensive warranty options.

Get Quote

(888) 650-5952

CARCHEX is another extended warranty company that is worth taking a look at. It has a great reputation, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It's also supported by industry leaders like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com.

CARCHEX offers five plans that can cover up to 250,000 miles. All plans come with benefits like towing, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. CARCHEX also has an app for roadside assistance, which makes things easy if you have a breakdown.

Check out our CARCHEX review for more information, and get a free, personalized quote for your Lexus below:

Our rating: 4.4 out of 5.0

Our research found this provider to be the best for used cars.

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(866) 254-0205

Q & A

Is maintenance expensive on a Lexus?

No, maintenance is not usually expensive on a Lexus. Lexus maintenance costs are much cheaper than those for most luxury car brands, and they’re even less expensive than the average for the whole market. Since Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division, it benefits from economical parts and easy maintenance.

How much does it cost to get an oil change for a Lexus?

An oil change on a Lexus ES 250 can cost between $152 and $167, according to RepairPal. That’s for synthetic oil, and engine oil changes are only required once per year.

Is a Lexus cheaper to maintain than a BMW?

Yes, Lexus is much cheaper to maintain than a BMW. According to RepairPal, Lexus owners pay $551 per year on average for scheduled maintenance and repairs, while BMW drivers pay $968 per year.

Is Lexus more reliable than Toyota?

Lexus and Toyota are almost equal in terms of reliability, though RepairPal ranks Lexus in seventh place overall and Toyota in eighth place. Lexus drivers pay slightly more per year for repairs, but Toyota drivers have a higher probability of encountering a more severe repair.