Are Cadillacs Expensive to Maintain?

Established over a century ago, Cadillac has become a standard in domestic luxury cars. You can expect elegant styling, luxurious comfort, and an excellent driving experience from a Cadillac. But are Cadillacs expensive to maintain?

The approximate maintenance cost of a Cadillac over ten years can range from $12,500 to $13,500. In general, vehicles that are maintained regularly at their recommended intervals have lower maintenance costs over time than cars that are not regularly maintained.

While Cadillacs cost more than your average car, it is not that expensive to maintain. However, their repair costs are above average. Based on data from RepairPal.com, maintaining a Cadillac will cost you $783 per year. That’s not very high for a luxury vehicle. But that’s high for the average car owner.

Read on to learn more about the maintenance costs of Cadillacs, if they are costly to maintain, and why.

Are Cadillacs Expensive to Maintain?

are cadillacs expensive to maintain
Cadillac Escapade

The maintenance costs of a Cadillac for ten years are estimated at $12,500 to $13,500. Usually, if a car is maintained regularly at recommended intervals, its maintenance costs will be lower over time compared to a vehicle that is not regularly maintained.

Considering the price points of Cadillacs, it is surprising that their maintenance costs are not that high. But their repair costs are still above average.

Data from RepairPal.com suggests that you need to spend $783 per year to keep a Cadillac in shape. For a luxury vehicle, that is not too expensive. But for the average car owner, that cost is expensive.

The Reliability Rating of Cadillac is 3.0 out of 5.0, making it rank 26 out of 32 car brands across 345 unique car models. Cadillac’s annual repair cost of $783. This cost is average compared to other brands.

Consumer Reports made up a list of “Brands That Make the Best Vehicles.” The list included 33 car brands, wherein Cadillac came up at number 29. Consumer Reports listed owner satisfaction and reliability as significant pain points as their basis for the listing.

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Why Are Cadillacs Expensive to Maintain

Has a Reputation as a Standard in Domestic Luxury Cars

Cadillacs are not your regular cars. These vehicles provide luxurious comfort, elegant styling, and excellent driving experience to their owners. Since its establishment as a car manufacturer in 1922, Cadillac has built a reputation as a standard in domestic luxury cars.

Higher Standard and Quality Materials

Due to their luxurious nature, the price points of Cadillacs are generally higher than that of average cars. Their Cadillac maintenance costs are higher considering their higher standard and higher quality materials.

Included in the Top 13% with the Most Expensive Maintenance Costs

According to statistics, Cadillac is positioned in the top 13% of cars based on how expensive their maintenance costs are.

Recommended 22,500-mile or 45,000-mile Service

While the recommendation is to take a Cadillac for certain services every 22,500 miles or every 45,000 miles, an owner of a Cadillac owner will typically have their car serviced at least once every 7,500 miles.

The most common of these maintenance services is an oil change. This particular service typically costs about $150. Approximately one-third of this cost will go to labor, while the rest will go to fresh motor oil and a brand new oil filter.

If the owner goes for the regular 7,500-mile maintenance checkup, the mechanic will also perform the following services:

  • Engine air filter check
  • Brake pads check
  • Tire rotation – the owner may need to pay an additional $40 to $50 for this service.
  • Multi-point car inspection – this will be indicated by the owner’s Cadillac Life Monitoring System.

Bring the Car for a Basic Maintenance Service Twice a Year

If you drive your Cadillac regularly as an average driver, you must bring your car in for basic maintenance service twice a year. This will make your average Cadillac service costs relatively low, about less than $400 per year.

As your car grows older, its Cadillac maintenance cost will get higher. You will need to replace car parts such as the engine air filter, spark plugs, brake pads, battery, transmission fluid, etc.

While the warranty does not cover these parts, labor and issues caused by shoddy workmanship and defective parts are covered. This means you won’t be charged if they occur.

Unscheduled Maintenance

Cadillacs are fairly reliable luxury vehicles. As luxury cars, you can expect their maintenance service costs to be slightly higher than average cars. According to RepairPal.com, Cadillac owners visit repair shops for unscheduled maintenance as often as other vehicle owners (about 0.4 times a year).

Around 17% of those unscheduled visits are regarded as severe. This is considerably higher than the average across all car models.

Estimated Annual Maintenance Expense of a Cadillac

are cadillacs srx expensive to maintain

Modern cars can last long without experiencing so many problems because of technological advances and innovative designs for their engines and other car components. Better quality oils also enable car engines to go from 7,500 to 15,000 miles between oil changes.

Most modern cars are also equipped with monitors that inform their owners when they need to change their motor oils. In this regard, the car owner’s driving habits will also affect the frequency of oil changes.

A Cadillac used in highway driving of around 500 miles a week will require its motor oil to be changed more frequently than a Cadillac that is infrequently driven on city streets.

At any rate, a Cadillac oil change costs between $130 and $150. About 30% of this will pay for the labor cost, or approximately $40 to $50. The remainder is to cover parts and related products.

But if the age of the Cadillac is well advanced, the maintenance expenses will get higher because of the general wear and tear of its parts. As the mechanic inspects a Cadillac that has clocked in hundreds of thousands of miles, they may recommend additional repairs or replacement of parts.

That said, the average Cadillac maintenance cost per year can be between $1,041 and $1,125.

How to Estimate a Cadillac’s Annual Maintenance Cost

Here are the factors you should consider to estimate a Cadillac’s annual maintenance cost:

1. Oil Change

Car experts calculate the annual maintenance cost of a car to predict the price of oil changes over a specific period. Generally, it is necessary to perform oil changes every six months. So you are looking at two oil changes per year for ten years.

2. Car Part Replacement

Other car parts need to be changed as part of standard maintenance procedures. These parts include batteries, windshields, tires, and brake pads. Tire rotation is also a common maintenance requirement.

While these parts do not need to be changed when you have an oil change, they still need to be regularly checked for any signs of failure. For instance, a battery doesn’t need to be changed until they reach the age of three or four years. On the other hand, windshield wipers need to change every year.

Changing brake pads will also largely depend on the driving habits of the Cadillac owner. In general, the maintenance cost will increase as the Cadillac grows old. How frequently it is used and how it is used will also affect its maintenance cost.

3. Age, Mileage, and More

So, the Cadillac’s maintenance cost depends on the following:

  • Age,
  • Mileage,
  • Location, and
  • Car service shop.

Where the Cadillac is predominantly driven, whether mainly in the city or on the highway, will also affect its yearly maintenance cost.

The particular Cadillac model will also affect its annual maintenance cost. For example, the Cadillac STS and Cadillac CTS have the least yearly maintenance cost.

On the other end of the scale, the Cadillac models Escalade ESV and Escalade have the most expensive annual maintenance cost.

So, if we put everything in perspective, the cost of maintaining a Cadillac for ten years may reach $12,500 to $13,500.

4. Warranty

For new Cadillac buyers, the company provides a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. This covers four years or around 50,000 miles. Unfortunately, this does not include routine maintenance.

However, it covers the entire vehicle, including labor and parts. This warranty is automatically transferred to a new owner if they purchase the car before the expiration of the warranty.

Again, are Cadillacs expensive to maintain? During Caddilac’s first ten years, its maintenance costs range from $12,500 to $13,500. Note that this cost can be higher or lower.

Are Cadillacs Worth the Maintenance Cost?

Cadillac started manufacturing vehicles; it focused on big sedans and luxury coupes. Now, it is turning its energies to producing crossovers for the SUV market.

Still, Cadillac keeps its distinctive styling features and highlights its vehicles’ impressive performance, luxurious features, technology, and excellent customer support.

Cadillac is second to no one regarding the superior driving experience. This is still true after being in the car-making industry for around 120 years. So, for those who are after a luxury automobile made by a domestic car maker, Cadillac should be their first choice.

Cadillac Maintenance Costs by Model

are cadillacs cts expensive to maintain
Cadillac CTS

As I’ve already mentioned, the average cost of maintaining a Cadillac per year is around $783. This refers to standard maintenance services and does not include emergency repairs. Additionally, maintenance costs will vary according to the Cadillac model.

In this regard, here are the typical annual maintenance costs of some of the more popular Cadillac models:

1. Cadillac Escalade

  • Annual maintenance cost – $1,102 (average)
  • Repair frequency – 0.3 times per year (below high)
  • Reliability – 2.5 out of 5 (average)

2. Cadillac CTS

  • Annual maintenance cost – $836 (average)
  • Repair frequency – 0.4 times per year (average)
  • Reliability – 3 out of 5 (average)

3. Cadillac XTS

  • Annual maintenance cost – $725 (average)
  • Repair frequency – 0.4 times per year (average)
  • Reliability – 3.5 out of 5 (above average)

What Are the Benefits of Maintaining a Cadillac?

If you bought a Cadillac, you know how much you have paid for it. To get the best value for your money, your Cadillac should stay viable as long as you want it to. And that’s one of the reasons why you need to maintain your Cadillac. There are other reasons besides that.

If you are religious in following the maintenance schedule of your Cadillac, you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Excellent performance
  • Cadillac value will not depreciate
  • Ensured safety
  • You can save money from costly repairs.

One of the things that you need to keep in mind is this: The more expensive your car is, the more you will be spending big money on repairs if you don’t keep up with its regular maintenance.

Not to mention the inconvenience it will cause with not being able to use your car while it is undergoing repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most often asked questions about this topic. Reading these answers may help you remember the essential points I have given in this article:

What Is the Cost of Maintaining a Cadillac?

The approximate cost of maintaining a Cadillac for ten years can range from $12,500 to $13,500. Generally, a Cadillac regularly maintained at its recommended intervals has a lower maintenance cost than a Cadillac that is maintained infrequently or not maintained at all.

Is It Expensive to Maintain a Cadillac?

Cadillacs are not your regular cars. They are designed and built with more expensive materials and technology. So, if you compare their maintenance costs to regular vehicles, they will be higher.

However, considering their higher values, the high quality of rides you will get, and their attractive resale values, the higher maintenance costs of Cadillacs are pretty justified.

The annual repair cost of Cadillacs is about $783. This is slightly more expensive than regular vehicles since it is a luxury car.

How Long Can a Cadillac Last?

A Cadillac can last up to 200,00o miles or more with proper care, maintenance, and use. As with every car of other car brands, the actual service life of a Cadillac will still depend on how and where it is used and maintained.

What Is the Most Common Maintenance Procedure That a Cadillac Needs?

An oil change at recommended intervals is the most common service maintenance that a Cadillac needs to be able to function efficiently. Other car brands’ cars also need the same essential routine care.

In Closing: Is It Expensive to Maintain a Cadillac?

A Cadillac’s estimated maintenance cost over ten years can range from $12,500 to $13,500. Maintaining a vehicle regularly at the recommended intervals will result in lower maintenance costs compared to a car that is maintained infrequently or not at all.

A Cadillac costs more than an average car, but it is still not that expensive to maintain. However, the repair costs of Cadillacs are above average.

Data provided by RepairPal.com indicates that to maintain a Cadillac, you will spend $783 per year. That’s not too costly for a luxury vehicle but high for the average car owner.

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