7 Expenses That Can Make a “Cheap” Used Car Surprisingly Expensive

A low used-car price can hide expenses for repairs, maintenance, tires, insurance, fuel, taxes, registration, and financing. Check the total ownership cost before calling any vehicle a bargain – Shutterstock

A cheap used car can look like a financial victory until the first repair bill arrives. That $6,000 bargain may need tires, brakes, insurance, registration, maintenance, and a few other wallet-unfriendly surprises before it feels like a bargain at all.

The trick involves looking beyond the sale price and calculating what the car will actually cost to own. A vehicle can have a wonderfully low sticker price and still deliver a surprisingly expensive ownership experience, especially when age, mileage, condition, and financing enter the picture.