Owning a luxury car like a Bugatti may sound like a dream come true, but for most people, it’s a dream that’s better left unrealized. Why? Because the cost of maintaining one of these engineering marvels makes the initial price tag look almost modest. Think of it this way: an oil change alone can cost as much as a brand-new car. Let’s break it down.
A Routine Oil Change or a Brand-New Car?
Car prices have soared over the years, whether for new or used vehicles. But when you compare the maintenance costs of a hypercar like a Bugatti to the price of an everyday car, the numbers are staggering. Take the Bugatti Veyron, for instance. According to Manny Khoshbin, a luxury car collector and YouTube personality, changing the oil on this supercar will set you back a whopping $25,000. That’s enough to buy a perfectly respectable family SUV, like a Dacia Duster, and still have some cash left over for insurance.
Why so much for an oil change? Bugatti’s intricate design means it’s not just about unscrewing a drain plug. To access the 16 oil drain plugs on the Veyron, mechanics need to remove the rear wheels, brakes, fender liners, and other components. It’s a job that requires precision, time, and a very specific set of skills. And that’s just the start—other maintenance tasks can push the yearly upkeep cost well into six figures.
The True Cost of Keeping a Bugatti Running
If you thought $25,000 for oil was excessive, brace yourself. A new set of wheels for a Bugatti costs $38,000, and if you need new tires, prepare to pay $50,000. Bugatti recommends a comprehensive maintenance service every 15,000 kilometers or once a year, whichever comes first. Over time, these costs add up. For example, the four-year maintenance plan for a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is estimated between €340,000 and €405,000 (before taxes). That’s the price of a house in many parts of the world.
Even collectors like Khoshbin, who owns three Bugattis, admit that these cars spend more time in garages than on the road. “I’m lucky they don’t get driven much,” he says, perhaps a bittersweet acknowledgment for a car lover.
Luxury Isn’t Just a Bugatti Thing
Bugatti isn’t the only brand pushing the limits of high maintenance costs. Ferrari offers an ultra-exclusive program for owners of their track-focused models like the FXX series or LaFerrari FXX K. These vehicles, built exclusively for competition, can’t even be parked in the buyer’s garage. Ferrari retains ownership, handling maintenance and storage while offering access to a private racing championship.
The price? In 2014, a Ferrari FXX K cost €2.5 million before taxes. While that includes logistical support, mechanics, and even chefs during race events, the buyer doesn’t technically “own” the car in the traditional sense.
A Luxury Few Can Afford
Owning a hypercar like a Bugatti or Ferrari isn’t just about wealth—it’s about commitment. These cars represent the pinnacle of automotive design and engineering, but they also come with responsibilities that far exceed those of ordinary vehicles. For most of us, simply imagining the cost of maintaining such a car is a sobering reminder that sometimes, dreams are best admired from afar.