RealCost Guide
Most Expensive Cars to Run UK
Some cars are expensive because they use a lot of fuel. Others become expensive through insurance, tyres, servicing, depreciation, specialist repairs or hidden used-car risk.
This guide highlights the expensive car ownership traps to watch for in the UK, including premium SUVs, older luxury cars, performance models, large petrol engines and premium EVs.
The simple answer
The most expensive cars to run are usually large luxury SUVs, performance cars, older premium cars, large petrol engines and premium electric cars. The danger is not always the purchase price — it is the tyre bill, insurance quote, repair cost, fuel use and depreciation.
A used Range Rover, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Mercedes S-Class, BMW M car or premium Tesla may look affordable to buy used, but the running costs can still behave like a high-end car.
Quick warning list: cars that can cost more to run
These are the categories to treat carefully before buying.
Large luxury SUVs
Range Rover, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne-style cars can bring high tyres, fuel, insurance and repair costs.
Main risk: several big costs at once.
Performance cars
BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and hot hatch models often cost more for tyres, brakes, fuel and insurance.
Main risk: performance parts and insurance.
Older luxury cars
A cheap used S-Class or premium SUV can still have premium repair bills.
Main risk: complex systems and ageing parts.
Large petrol engines
Big petrol engines can become painful for commuting, school runs and town driving.
Main risk: high fuel cost.
Premium EVs
Charging may be cheap, but insurance, tyres, repair complexity and depreciation can still be high.
Main risk: assuming EV equals cheap.
Neglected used cars
A cheap car with poor service history, old tyres or warning lights can be expensive quickly.
Main risk: hidden repair bills.
RealCost note: A car can be cheap to buy and still expensive to own. Use the Car Cost Calculator UK before buying, then check insurance, maintenance, fuel and depreciation separately.
Examples of expensive cars to run in the UK
These are not a fixed ranking. They are examples of cars and categories that often carry higher ownership-cost risk.
Range Rover / Range Rover Sport
Range Rover models are desirable, comfortable and capable, but insurance, tyres, servicing, repairs and depreciation can all be significant.
Why it can cost more: luxury parts, large tyres, high vehicle value and repair complexity.
Avoid if: you are buying used because the purchase price looks tempting but you do not have a strong repair budget.
BMW X5 / BMW X6
Large premium SUVs such as the BMW X5 and X6 combine weight, performance, premium servicing and expensive tyres.
Why it can cost more: premium maintenance, large wheels, complex technology and higher insurance exposure.
Avoid if: most driving is short local trips and you do not genuinely need the size.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A used S-Class can look like a bargain because depreciation has already happened. The problem is that suspension, electronics, servicing and parts can still be luxury-car expensive.
Why it can cost more: complex systems, premium parts, specialist servicing and high repair bills.
Avoid if: you want predictable used-car running costs.
Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne offers performance and practicality, but tyres, brakes, servicing and insurance can be costly, especially on powerful versions.
Why it can cost more: performance parts, premium servicing, large tyres and insurance.
Avoid if: you want SUV practicality without sports-car running costs.
Audi Q7 / Audi SQ7
The Audi Q7 is a large premium SUV. Performance versions such as the SQ7 can be especially expensive through tyres, servicing, fuel and insurance.
Why it can cost more: vehicle weight, premium parts, large wheels, complex systems and insurance.
Avoid if: you do not genuinely need a large seven-seat premium SUV.
BMW M / Mercedes-AMG models
Performance versions are expensive even before anything goes wrong. Insurance, tyres, brakes, fuel and servicing are all usually higher than standard versions.
Why they can cost more: performance tyres, powerful engines, higher insurance groups and specialist maintenance.
Avoid if: you are trying to keep monthly costs predictable and low.
Porsche 911
A Porsche 911 may hold value better than many cars, but that does not make it cheap to run. Servicing, tyres, insurance and repairs can still be expensive.
Why it can cost more: specialist servicing, performance tyres, insurance and repair costs.
Avoid if: you are judging affordability only by depreciation or resale value.
Tesla Model S / Tesla Model X
Electric cars can be cheap to charge, but premium EVs are not automatically cheap to own. Insurance, tyres, depreciation and repair complexity can all change the total cost.
Why they can cost more: high value, large tyres, insurance, battery-related risk and specialist repairs.
Avoid if: you assume low charging cost means low ownership cost.
What makes a car expensive to run?
The worst cars for running costs usually combine several expensive factors.
Heavy cars and large petrol engines can be costly on daily mileage.
High value, performance and repair cost can push premiums higher.
Large wheels and performance tyres can make replacement expensive.
Performance brakes can cost far more than standard family-car parts.
Expensive cars can lose thousands per year in value.
Air suspension, premium electronics and specialist systems can be costly.
Calculate the real cost before buying
Use this calculator before buying a tempting used luxury car, large SUV, performance car or premium EV. Include depreciation, fuel or charging, insurance, tax, servicing, tyres, repairs and other monthly costs.
This calculator is for budgeting. It does not predict future breakdowns, but it helps reveal whether the ownership cost is realistic.
Older luxury cars: cheap to buy, expensive to own
This is one of the biggest used-car traps.
Older premium cars can look like bargains because depreciation has already reduced the purchase price. The problem is that the parts, servicing, tyres and repair complexity often remain expensive.
Used luxury warning: if a car once cost £70,000 new, it may still have £70,000-car repair bills even if you buy it used for far less.
Premium EV trap: cheap to charge does not mean cheap to own
EVs can reduce fuel cost, but high-value EVs need proper cost checks.
Insurance
Premium EVs can cost more to insure because of value, repair complexity and specialist parts.
Tyres
Heavy EVs and powerful acceleration can mean expensive tyre replacement.
Depreciation
High purchase prices and fast-changing EV technology can affect resale values.
Charging setup
Home charging can be cheap, but frequent public rapid charging changes the maths.
Check EV costs: use the EV Charging Cost Calculator UK and the Electric vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator before assuming an EV is cheaper overall.
How to avoid buying an expensive car to run
Do these checks before the car becomes your problem.
Check the expensive costs separately
One calculator rarely tells the whole story. Check the costly parts one by one.
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Lower-cost alternatives and next checks
Use these pages if the car you are considering looks risky.
How to Reduce Car Running Costs UK
Cut fuel, insurance, maintenance and ownership costs.