As an accessible brand with high-reliability ratings, Kias tend to be significantly cheaper to maintain than the average automobile, with an annual repair cost of around $474—far less than the average vehicle maintenance cost of $652.

When you’re buying a Kia, the sticker price is just the start of what you’ll be paying over the life of the car, though with a Kia you’ll get some serious bang for your buck. Still, properly maintaining your Kia is vital to ensure it runs smoothly. Also, keep in mind that some Kias will cost more than others yearly.

To help you understand what to expect with your new (or new-ish) Kia, the

car insurance

broker and comparison shopping app

Jerry

has put together everything you need to know about whether Kias are expensive to maintain—good news for you, they aren’t.

How much maintenance does my Kia need?

Kia is a popular Korean carmaker whose vehicles have high-reliability ratings, and you can expect a Kia to require a fair bit less maintenance than most other cars on the road.

On average, RepairPal notes that Kias are brought into the repair shop nearly two times less than the average vehicle (0.2 times a year) for unscheduled maintenance. On top of that, only about 10% of those visits are deemed severe—which is also lower than the average rate for most cars.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How much does service for a Kia cost?

On average, a Kia only costs about $474 per year for standard maintenance.

That being said, maintenance costs will depend on the kind of Kia you own. Below you’ll find the average yearly maintenance costs for some of the most popular Kias.

Budget: Optima

Reliability: 4/5 (average)

Annual maintenance cost: $355 (average)

Repair frequency: 0.2 times per year (average)

Mid-range: Sorento

Reliability: 4/5 (average)

Annual maintenance cost: $463 (average)

Repair frequency: 0.3 times per year

Splurge: Forte Koup

Reliability: 4/5 (average)

Annual maintenance cost: $553 (average)

Repair frequency: 0.2 times per year

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Why you should maintain your Kia

There are plenty of advantages to bringing your Kia in for routine maintenance:

Keeps it in peak condition

Improves your safety while driving

Keeps the value of your car high

Saves you money by preventing costly issues from cropping up down the road

If you don’t take your Kia in for regular maintenance, not only are you wasting the brand’s value, but you’re also exposing it to more wear and tear, damage, and potentially significant future issues—not to mention the headaches that accompany all that!

Key Takeaway The more expensive your Kia, the more likely you are to face slightly higher repair costs at your mechanic.

How often does a Kia need maintenance?

Mileage	Service	Average cost
Every 7,500 miles	Minor maintenance service: oil and filter change, tire rotation, safety check; visual check on brakes, hoses, and belts; fluid leak check	$283 to $322
Every 15,000 miles	Standard maintenance service: oil change, tire rotation, potential replacement of cabin air filter and engine air filter; search for fluid leaks; potential brake pad replacement; service any recalls	$341 to $394
Every 22,500 miles	Potential tire, brake pad replacements; oil change and filter	$278 to $314
Every 30,000 miles	Replace transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid; replace the air filter and spark plugs	$407 to $470
Every 40,000 miles	Oil change and filter, tire rotation, and service recalls	$76 to $84

Oil changes

When: Usually needed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles

Cost: $30 to $60

Why: Removes excess dirt and grime that can build up on engine walls and impair your engine

DIY?: Yes—if you have the right tools

Tire replacement

When: NHTSA recommends that tires be switched out every six years, regardless of the number of miles driven

Cost: $150 to $300

Why: Worn tires lose grip and handle poorly, especially in wet weather

DIY?: No—let a professional handle the tire replacement to make sure new tires are balanced for even wear and a smooth drive

Engine replacement

When: If your engine is damaged from an accident, you have a cracked engine block, or the engine has run its course

Cost: $2,500 to $4,000

Why: A well-functioning engine is key to ensuring your Kia has a long life

DIY?: No—avoid trying this yourself and take the car to a professional mechanic

Windshield replacement

When: If the crack exceeds the length of a dollar bill, goes halfway-deep into the windshield, or extends to the windshield’s outer limits

Cost: ~$350

Why: Driving with a severely cracked windshield can seriously hinder your vision

DIY?: No—installing a new windshield yourself isn’t recommended

Paint

When: If the car’s paint job is peeling or is visibly discolored

Cost: $1,000 to $5,000

Why: Paint stops structural damage, corrosion, and boosts a car’s resale value

DIY?: Maybe—but a professional-looking paint job requires specialized tools and lots of time and patience

MORE:

How to know if a mechanic is taking too long with car repairs

Finding cheap car insurance

Keeping your Kia in fighting form is about more than just taking it to the mechanic on schedule. Having good car insurance will keep your Kia protected in even the most unexpected situations.

If you’re looking to save money on car insurance, the insurance comparison app

Jerry

is the best place to start. As a licensed broker, Jerry takes care of all the most tedious parts of shopping for a new policy—from comparing quotes to dealing with the paperwork when you choose a new policy.

And to ensure you always have the cheapest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes each time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the most affordable price.

This is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

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