Best Low Maintenance Car in India under 10 Lakhs

Buyers who specifically prioritise reliability and cost efficiency above all, can now find a set of affordable low maintenance cars in India that address their requirements. A low-maintenance car is a smart choice for individuals who want to minimise long-term expenses like servicing, repairs, and fuel costs.

Car maintenance is an aspect that not only helps reduce ownership costs, but also maintain the vehicle in good condition to benefit from a higher resale value later. There are many new and used cars under-₹ 10 lakh that balance affordability and durability well, thus it’s no surprise that some of the lowest maintenance cars in India come from this category.

What makes a Car Low Maintenance?

Before delving into the list of top 10 low maintenance cars under ₹ 10 lakh in India, it is vital to define what makes a car low maintenance. While a car’s initial cost may be low, higher maintenance and running costs can drastically offset its affordability. A low maintenance car should offer high fuel-efficiency, is reliable to run and has affordable service costs, thus making it cost-effective in the long run. Apart from the car’s purchase cost, it's the service and fuel consumption costs that are fixed and reoccur predictably, contributing to the total cost of ownership. We’ll focus on the fixed maintenance costs that contribute towards making an affordable low maintenance car.
 

Factors Influencing Low Maintenance of a Car

There are several factors that influence low cost of maintenance of cars. These include reliability, fuel efficiency, cost of spare parts and more which are detailed below –

Reliability - The car’s ability to function well over time with minimal repairs or breakdowns will consequently affect the costs it incurs in maintenance.

Fuel efficiency - High returns in fuel mileage reduces fuel consumption costs significantly thus lowering overall maintenance costs.

Affordable spare parts - Widely available service network and reasonably-priced spare parts that are used in scheduled services (air-filter, oil-filter, engine oil and lubricants), ensure budget-friendliness and ease of repairs.

Long service intervals - Cars requiring infrequent visits to the workshop, even for scheduled services, incur lower maintenance costs. Although, skipping scheduled services will considerably accelerate component wear leading to higher maintenance costs overtime.

Warranty coverage - Extended warranty helps reduce maintenance expenses for unforeseen repairs that can be costly when carried out outside of the initial warranty period.

Driving style - A neutral driving style using progressive accelerator, clutch and brake usage will result in lesser wear and tear of components over time. Too conservative or overly aggressive driving styles not only diminish fuel-efficiency but negatively impact longevity of components leading to higher maintenance costs.

Conditions of usage - Using cars over poorly maintained roads, off-road or rough surfaces accelerate wear and tear resulting in higher maintenance needs. Cars operating in areas with extreme weather, extended monsoons also require more maintenance.

Smart technology - Modern cars come equipped with features like connected tech that lets you monitor or partially diagnose issues in the car through an app. The app can send alerts of malfunctions that would otherwise go unnoticed or even keep a track of pending service or checks, helping you stay on top of maintenance needs.

What Not to Consider as Regular Maintenance Costs

Certain costs associated with car maintenance occur at irregular intervals. While they do contribute to overall maintenance costs, they should be omitted from regular maintenance cost estimations. These include –

Certain wear and tear components - It’s prudent to separate replacement of wear and tear components like tyres, brake pads, wiper blades etc from regular maintenance costs estimations. Their replacement can differ depending on individual usage and running conditions and isn’t predictable at fixed intervals.

Cleaning and washing products - Regular maintenance costs will also differ in a buyer’s usage of cleaning, detailing  products as well as car washing services. As they vary from individual to individual, one should include their costs accordingly. 

Modifications - Additions to a car for comfort, convenience and aesthetics should  not be considered as regular maintenance costs.

Accidental repairs - Costs incurred in insurance claims and consequent accidental repairs are also irregular and unpredictable thus should not be accounted for in regular maintenance.

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 | ₹ 15,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is an excellent entry-level choice that’s designed for budget-friendly ownership. Its affordable price, minimal service requirements, and reliable build quality ensure long-term savings. For a period of five years, the Alto K10 costs an approximate ₹ 15,000 for scheduled services. 10,000km service intervals may cover annual mileage for a lot of customers, thus reducing its annual maintenance cost to ₹3,000 or a very affordable ₹ 250 per month.

The Alto is compact in size, robust in performance and along with exceptional fuel efficiency and reliability, it is suitable for both urban and rural driving conditions alike. Maruti’s extensive service network enhances the easy ownership experience, allowing access to repairs and spare parts across the country and in remote locations. All these qualities amount to its high resale value, making it a smart investment as the best low maintenance car in India. Don’t forget to look at used Alto K10 models as an option.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,000 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 30 paise/km

2. Maruti Suzuki S-Presso | ₹ 15,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

What makes the S-Presso yet another top contender for a new or used low maintenance car in India, is the fact that its service intervals and costs are the same as the Alto’s. The S-Presso demands a 10,000km service interval which costs an approximate of ₹3,000 as yearly service cost. This tallies to ₹ 15,000 over five years of ownership and an estimated 50,000km of usage. Paired with over 24kmpl of claimed fuel efficiency, the S-Presso makes for one of the lowest running costs for a car in India right now. It is feature-rich in the higher variants, mechanically sound with a proven engine and Maruti’s wide service network and spares availability, all combine to make the S-Presso a compelling low maintenance car in India. Used Maruti Suzuki S-Presso cars are even more value for money at their current prices.

The S-Presso is Maruti Suzuki’s solution for those wanting more space than an Alto K10. Based on the same platform and featuring the same positive attributes of the Alto, the S-Presso brings along the added advantages of a taller car with improved ground clearance. Think of it as a SUV-inspired version of a small, affordable hatchback.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,000 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 30 paise/km

3. Maruti Suzuki Celerio | ₹ 15,500 for 5 years & 50,000km

The Celerio presents itself as a hidden gem in Maruti Suzuki’s portfolio. The hatchback helps you step up from the entry-level options into a higher segment of hatchbacks while still maintaining an affordable price tag. Since the Celerio is powered by the proven K10C engine that does duty on the Alto K10 and S-Presso, it carries forward the same reliability traits. Not just that, it even edges out more fuel efficiency than its smaller siblings. Adding to the advantages, the maintenance costs remain similar too at ₹ 15,500 for an ownership tenure of five years and 50,000km of usage. The 10,000km service interval greatly helps keep service requirements to once a year so you’re looking at a lot of savings in long-term running costs thus making for a brilliant low maintenance car purchase.

As the Celerio sits in between segments, it has a lot to offer. It boasts the best fuel efficiency figures in its class and has substantially increased overall interior space than entry-level and some higher segment rivals. Due to a combination of these traits, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio holds a high resale value and makes for a good second-hand option from the used Celerio cars on CARS24 available across India.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Celerio Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,100 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 31 paise/km

4. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | ₹ 16,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

One of the reasons for the Grand i10 Nios’ popularity is its fairly affordable maintenance cost. Like its competitors, Hyundai recommends a 10,000km or one year service interval and offers the first two services free of labour costs. A spending of ₹ 16,000 on services over 50,000km and 5 years of running, the average yearly spending works out to ₹ 3,200. At just ₹ 267 per month, it becomes a clear premium choice of a low maintenance hatchbacks for young executives.

Despite its compact dimensions, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is a substantial step up in this list of low maintenance cars in India. The latest iteration of the Grand i10 brings updated looks, contemporary interiors and all the modern features complete with adequate space and comfort. It’s no surprise that the model builds on the popularity of the older models. Used Grand i10 models are available in the CARS24 inventory across the country.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Specifications

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,200 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 32 paise/km

5. Hyundai Aura | ₹ 16,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

Think of the Aura as a Grand i10 Nios in a sedan format, albeit in compact dimensions. The reliable and fuel-efficient engine continues with its low maintenance and running costs in the Aura too. 10,000km service intervals will keep service centre visits to once a year for most users while averaging ₹ 3,200 annually in service costs or ₹ 267 monthly. At ₹16,000 spent in service costs over a five years or 50,000km, the Aura makes for a low maintenance choice of sedan. Hyundai’s widespread service network, cheaper costs of spares and high fuel efficiency figures all combine to make the Aura a great value for money compact sedan.

Hyundai has carried forward all the good bits about the hatchback and present a more premium and preferred shape to customers in India. Thus the Aura boasts of similar contemporary features and aesthetics, both on the exterior and interior fronts. There are many used Hyundai Aura cars at CARS24 across India that make for an even more attractive value proposition.

Hyundai Aura Key Specifications

Hyundai Aura Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,200 per year

Running cost - Approx. 32 paise/km

6. Renault Kwid | ₹ 17,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

The Renault Kwid presents itself as a great value proposition for a small, affordable low maintenance car that features modern technology and robust safety systems. For the Kwid, Renault offers up to three services free of labour charges, that can be availed in a span of three years or 30,000km, whichever is earlier. This will help lower yearly maintenance costs since recommended services are spaced in 10,000km intervals. Renault’s service costs averages to just ₹ 0.34 paise per kilometre which translates to roughly ₹ 3,400 per year or ₹ 283 per month. At ₹ 17,000 spent in scheduled maintenance over five years and 50,000km, the Kwid is a great option outside the Maruti Suzuki family.

The Renault Kwid in its latest avatar combines style with practicality in a compact hatchback shape. The bold SUV-inspired design makes it very attractive compared to its competitors and lends a dash of premiumness to this otherwise affordable hatchback. Known for its low-cost maintenance, the Kwid delivers great fuel efficiency too. Its affordable spare parts and service accessibility make it ideal for budget-conscious buyers both as a new or a used car. CARS24 currently has many used Renault Kwid cars in India, a testament to its popularity.

Renault Kwid Key Specifications

Renault Kwid Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,400 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 34 paise/km
   

7. Nissan Magnite | ₹ 17,500 for 5 years & 50,000km

The Nissan Magnite’s non-turbo 1.0-litre engine proves to be incredibly cost effective to run over a period of five years and 50,000km. With service costs averaging to just ₹17,500 in that period, the per kilometre running cost in scheduled maintenance is just ₹ 0.35 paise. Add to that a respectable fuel efficiency figure and you’ve got all the benefits of a compact SUV with the low maintenance costs of a much smaller hatchback.

The Magnite helps buyers step up to a compact SUV that’s surprisingly low maintenance and is available for under ₹ 10 lakh. Boasting larger dimensions than similarly-priced hatchbacks, the Magnite also comes fully-loaded with modern conveniences like LED lighting, wireless charging, wireless Android and Apple connectivity in its higher trims. A choice of engines and automatic or manual transmissions are also on offer.Many examples of a used Nissan Magnite can be found on CARS24.

Nissan Magnite Key Specifications

Nissan Magnite Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,500 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 35 paise/km

8. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R | ₹ 18,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

The humble Wagon-R is an all-round family hatchback that’s a hot favourite even in the used space. Like all Maruti Suzuki cars, the Wagon R benefits from the first service being free of labour charges while subsequent services cost averages out to ₹ 3,600 per year or ₹300 per month. That adds up to a reasonable ₹ 18,000 for 50,000km run over a five-year period. Factor in an over 24kmpl fuel efficiency as well as a 10,000km service interval and you’ve got the perfect makings of a great low maintenance family hatchback for the cities and highways.

The Wagon R by far, is a hot favourite among fleet operators and with good reason. Over its years of existence, it has flawlessly served as a reliable, fuel efficient and low maintenance hatchback. For the very same reasons, it’s a brilliant choice of car for a small family that requires generous amounts of space too. The Wagon R looks more attractive than ever before in its current guise while also offering a powerful yet fuel efficient 1.2-litre engine option. That said, used Maruti Suzuki Wagon R models still make for an excellent used purchase.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,600 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 36 paise/km

9. Maruti Suzuki Dzire | ₹ 19,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

One of the best-selling cars in India recently received a complete makeover with a new engine and increased fuel efficiency to boast. The new Z-series engine promises phenomenal fuel-efficiency which will play a substantial role in reducing running costs over a five year tenure. Based on the maintenance and service costs of the previous-gen Dzire, the new Dzire should also average to ₹ 19,000 over a 50,000km run in five years. That’s ₹ 3,800 annually and it makes the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire a great low maintenance car, among the best family cars in India at the moment.

Maruti Suzuki engines have proven to be bulletproof over the years and this new engine shouldn’t be any different. The already cost-effective compact sedan is now much more attractive with new exterior and interior styling along with the addition of top-notch features like LED lighting, sun-roof, wireless charging, 360-degree camera, 6 airbags and a 5-star GNCAP safety rating. But if you’re looking for used Maruti Dzire models, there are many options available on CARS24.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Key Specification

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 3,800 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 38 paise/km

10. Maruti Suzuki Eeco | ₹ 21,000 for 5 years & 50,000km

One would assume that 7-seater options would be rare for a low maintenance car under ₹ 10 lakh budget. Yet another Maruti Suzuki option shows up on this list of affordable low maintenance cars in the form of the Eeco MUV to address that need. Periodic services are spaced in 10,000km intervals and work out to ₹ 4,200 per year or ₹ 350 a month. At ₹ 21,000 spent in scheduled maintenance over five years and 50,000km, for a 7-seater MUV under ₹ 10 lakh, the Eeco makes for a great low maintenance people mover.

Sure, the Eeco may be short on modern features, being equipped with the basics only, it however, aims to solve the requirement of a budget people mover. Space is available in abundance and powered by Maruti Suzuki’s trusty 1.2-litre engine, so is reliability and fuel efficiency. To further reduce fuel costs, there is the optional factory-fitted CNG kit too. An often overlooked option, the Eeco presents as a viable and reliable 7-seater MUV offering with a starting price tag of a shade over ₹ 5.5 lakh. A used Eeco MUV also holds good resale value, proving its VFM worthiness.

Maruti Suzuki Eeco Key Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Eeco Key Features

• Manufacturer recommended service intervals - every 10,000km
• Average annual service cost - Approx. ₹ 4,200 per year
• Running cost - Approx. 42 paise/km

Low Maintenance Cars Under ₹ 10 Lakh  

From affordable entry-level hatchbacks to budget MUVs and compact SUVs, under ₹ 10 lakhs can get you a great low maintenance car for your needs.

Summary

Investing in a low-maintenance car not only saves on servicing costs but also provides peace of mind, ensuring your vehicle remains a reliable companion for years to come. A majority of long term maintenance costs arise from fixed scheduled service costs and fuel consumption. These are predictable and can be planned beforehand. Thus making a sound decision while considering a low maintenance car in India. Many manufacturers also provide online service cost calculators but use them with caution as they may be inaccurate or omit labour costs and taxes. Always ask for a service cost estimate from the service centre directly for a more accurate estimate for your particular car variant.