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.
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?
| | |
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| Minor maintenance service: oil and filter change, tire rotation, safety check; visual check on brakes, hoses, and belts; fluid leak check | |
| 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 | |
| Potential tire, brake pad replacements; oil change and filter | |
| Replace transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid; replace the air filter and spark plugs | |
| Oil change and filter, tire rotation, and service recalls | |
Oil changes
When: Usually needed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles
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
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
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
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
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
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.
“This was so easy! Signing up with Jerry
saved me $499 on my semi-annual car insurance—as if it was nothing!” —Kache P.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍