When choosing your next vehicle, it’s important to consider the servicing and maintenance costs as these can vary massively between manufacturers. In this article, we’ll be comparing the cost of servicing and maintaining Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen cars to see which is the cheapest and which is the priciest.
Comparing Service Costs of Popular Models
In this section we’ll be comparing the cost of servicing some popular models from each of these German car manufacturers. These costs refer to the main dealership services, are taken from an average of at least three service centres across the midlands in 2026. Please keep in mind that these prices will change in future and different service centres charge different amounts for different vehicles. Always get in touch with your local service centre if you’re looking to get an up-to-date quote for your car.
Below is a comparison of the prices of a service which includes the following aspects:
- Oil and filter change
- Fluid level checks
- Pollen filter change
- Electrical cable and component check
- Brake pad and disc check
Entry-Level Hatchbacks
| Vehicle | Service Cost |
| Audi A1 | £449.74 |
| BMW 1 Series | £561.24 |
| Mercedes A-Class | £484.51 |
| Volkswagen Polo | £315.00 |
Saloons
| Vehicle | Service Cost |
| Audi A6 | £471.46 |
| BMW 5 Series | £659.02 |
| Mercedes E-Class | £507.90 |
| Volkswagen Arteon | £315.00 |
Performance Hatchbacks
| Vehicle | Service Cost |
| Audi RS3 | £501.74 |
| BMW M135i | £582.97 |
| Mercedes AMG A35 | £518.55 |
| Volkswagen Golf R | £315.00 |
Electric Vehicle Servicing
Below is a comparison table showing the cost of a basic annual service of small electric SUVs from each German car manufacturer.
| Vehicle | Service Cost |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | £289.24 |
| BMW iX3 | £315.10 |
| Mercedes EQA | £267.36 |
| Volkswagen ID 4 | £258.64 |
Comparing Other Maintenance Costs
In this next section we’ll be comparing the additional maintenance costs associated with modern vehicles. Again, each category is split into different vehicle types and contains an average from three main dealerships from each manufacturer in 2026. Please keep in mind that these prices will change in future and different service centres charge different amounts for different vehicles.
Cars used for reference:
- Entry-level hatchback: Audi A1, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class, Volkswagen Polo
- Saloon: Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Volkswagen Arteon
- Small electric SUV: Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3, Mercedes EQA, Volkswagen ID 4
- Performance Hatchback: Audi RS3, BMW M135i, Mercedes AMG A35, Volkswagen Golf R
Front Brake Pads & Discs Replacement
| Audi | BMW | Mercedes | Volkswagen | |
| Entry-Level Hatchback | £473.52 | £667.22 | £620.81 | £404.36 |
| Saloon | £1363.46 | £866.77 | £741.77 | £547.68 |
| Small Electric SUV | £714.48 | £962.06 | £713.45 | £757.21 |
| Performance Hatchback | £1796.82 | £871.24 | £711.29 | £908.51 |
Brake Fluid
| Audi | BMW | Mercedes | Volkswagen | |
| Entry-Level Hatchback | £70.20 | £173.90 | £142.66 | £89.00 |
| Saloon | £70.20 | £155.40 | £142.66 | £89.00 |
| Small Electric SUV | £65.52 | £136.90 | £136.56 | £65.34 |
| Performance Hatchback | £70.20 | £173.90 | £142.66 | £89.00 |
Spark Plugs
| Audi | BMW | Mercedes | |
| Entry-Level Hatchback | £197.88 | £152.23 | £191.78 |
| Saloon | £183.60 | £178.30 | £134.18 |
| Performance Hatchback | £254.70 | £196.80 | £228.98 |
Air Filter
| Audi | BMW | Mercedes | |
| Entry-Level Hatchback | £49.20 | £70.09 | £52.20 |
| Saloon | £71.70 | £72.18 | £52.20 |
| Performance Hatchback | £51.30 | £65.40 | £66.84 |
Dealership vs Independent Specialist Servicing & Maintenance
It’s important to note that main dealers can be more expensive than independent specialists when it comes to servicing. Here at Recharged Automotive, we are proud to offer competitive servicing and parts costs for Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen. We also only use genuine manufacturer or high-quality parts which come with a guarantee.
As the leading German vehicle specialist in Worcester with over 30 years of experience working on these premium brands, we’re the place to call when you’re looking to get your vehicle serviced. Get in touch today by calling 01905 458156.