Not too long ago, cars were easy to fix because they didn’t have high-end technical issues or complex electronics to deal with. Any home mechanic can fix minor car problems (almost every problem was minor back in the day!) with a few basic mechanic tools. But those days are gone! As technology got more complex, so were cars, too. What used to be a few metal pieces and a basic engine is now an intricate work of modern art combined with computerized parts that the average owner knows almost nothing about. Thankfully, some car models are still easy to fix. And I’ll show you 10 of those in this article. First Things First

Picture this: You are in the middle of nowhere driving back home when your Chevy decides to stutter and come to a grinding halt! You open the hood, and the sight that greets you leaves you more confused than before. Not because there’s a smoke or fire, but because you can’t even tell the ABS from the fuel injector. In fact, you don’t even know if your car comes with a carburetor or an injector! If owning a car is something you would like to do or you already own one, here’s a small favor you could do for yourself. Get the basic knowledge about cars, at least your type of car. Some car problems are actually minor and can be fixed in no time and with a spanner, clear thinking, and a couple of grunts. Next, consider how easy (or not) it is to work on a car before buying it. Don’t be carried away by the price tag only. Think gas, maintenance, and repairs when choosing a car. Essentially, the simpler the technology, the less tricky it is to work on the car. That’s another way of saying more recent models require specialized knowledge to fix if they develop problems. Things are a lot easier with older models. But by older models, I don’t mean ancient carriages or some rickety junker. You can actually find the easiest car to work on from models as recent as 2017 – that’s just three years back. Of course, if you are exceptionally handy, you could find very old rattletraps and convert them into jaw-dropping rat rods. And by the way, if you’re fishing for ideas to build rat rods, check out this post to discover 70 totally awesome ideas to piece together your next cool custom car.   The Easiest Car to Work On: My Top 10 Picks No doubt – some cars are easier to repair than others. But which models or make are the easiest? Here are my top 10 picks.

  1. Chevrolet Silverado Source: betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com Some cars are built to retain the original designs for a long time, even with newer models. This infrequent redesign provides a solid knowledge base and offers plenty of replacement or repairs parts. One such car is the GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado. As you would expect of a truck, it comes with a very spacious engine compartment with trouble-free access to commonly replaced parts and areas that require frequent maintenance. Whether you plan on working on these trucks yourself or letting a mechanic to the maintenance and repairs, it is best to go for models earlier than 2014, as these aren’t as complex as later generations. But if you are on the lookout for the absolute easiest car to work on from this brand, consider choosing a model from 2003 to 2007. Many of these trucks are on the road, which means finding a mechanic that has excellent know-how about them is not difficult. Other alternatives with similar engines and chassis components include Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon.  
  2. Honda Accord Source: Foto by M / Shutterstock.com Honda is one name that reminds car users of reliability; it guarantees efficient performance and dependability. That’s exactly what you get from the Honda Accord model. The 2003 to 2014 models have simple designs that allow users easy access to nearly all the parts. Honda Accord is one of the cars you can work on efficiently without breaking a sweat. Everything in the engine compartment is well-spaced, making repairs less stressful because you can clearly see what you are working with, and there’s less room for errors. But since it is a highly reliable car, it won’t require frequent repairs. Besides, the Honda Accord is a low maintenance car, making it a popular choice for many users.  
  3. Toyota Corolla Source: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock.com Over 44 million Toyota Corolla cars have been sold since its launch in 1966, making it one of the most widely sold cars to date. Interestingly, most of these cars are still on the road. Toyota Corolla is a dependable car, often needing fewer repairs. But when it comes time to fix a problem or replace parts, it is quite easy. Besides being a reliable automobile, its widespread popularity makes replacement parts easily accessible, particularly if you are thinking of buying the models from 1988 to 2017. You can easily find parts for these models in auto shops. But if you want to save a lot more money, head on to a junkyard. And because the engine area is easy to access, working under the hood is a breeze.  
  4. Mazda MX-5 Source: @Gary_shoots / Shutterstock.com The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight roadster that has retained its original design. Despite constant advancements in sports cars, this car continues to maintain its simplicity. Its lack of complex electronic components makes it a breeze to work on. Early models have engines that are not difficult to maintain. You’ll find the sparkplugs conveniently located on top of the engine block for quick and easy access. And because the roadster sits really low, access to every corner of the engine compartment is painless. There are also robust online resources where you can find virtually answers to any questions you have about the Mazda MX-5. The engines in more recent models are somewhat loaded with more components but are still fairly less complicated to work on than other sports cars.  
  5. Toyota Tacoma Source: ZikG / Shutterstock.com If trucks are your thing, and you want one with a lot of the attributes that make cars easy to maintain and work on, consider getting a Toyota Tacoma. Besides its capability of providing trouble-free service for many years, Tacoma has been around for a long time, and its design has hardly changed significantly. In other words, there’s a vast database of knowledge about the trucks as well as available parts for its various generations. Heck, there are even countless videos on YouTube from die-hard fans sharing useful tips on repairs, maintenance, and even upgrade procedures. There is nothing tricky about Tacoma’s system. It is as simple as it looks, and all of its components are easy to locate under the hood. Whether you are repairing or upgrading, Toyota Tacoma is one of the trucks with the most readily available parts and add-ons on the market.  
  6. Subaru BRZ Source: JasonRenfrow / Shutterstock.com Access to the insides and engines of Subaru BRZ is easy, making repairs convenient even for DIYers. The car also offers superb independent support, which goes a long way to enhance its performance. However, the problem most people may have with this otherwise robust car is changing the sparkplug. Sparkplugs are among the most common things most self-taught mechanics like to work on, but they are not easily accessible in Subaru BRZ. Other than that, the engine is not complicated and a lot easy to work on. Changing the oil or replacing the bolts is not difficult, especially as the engine bolts are interchangeable. The chains and timing belt are conveniently located in the engine’s front compartment, which means you can access them with ease if the need arises. Overall, this is an easy car to work on if you can get past the somewhat difficult-to-access sparkplugs.  
  7. Honda CR-V Source: auto-data.net / Shutterstock.com Honda CR-V is not just a beautiful, reliable, and efficient car; it is also durable and doesn’t develop a lot of problems like some other vehicles. What makes this vehicle easy to work on is its simple engine compartment. You can check the various parts at a glance and effect repairs where necessary. Equally, the parts are readily available since it has been around for quite a while. Honda CR-V is a well-performing car that very affordable to maintain. You probably will only need to get under the hood a couple of times in a year for any major repairs.  
  8. Nissan Frontier Source: Darren Brode / Shutterstock.com The Nissan Frontier is another vehicle that has stuck with its original design since it hit the road in 2005. While some may see this as a reason not to choose this car, it is actually a good thing if you want a drama-free vehicle that doesn’t need parts from halfway across the world. Besides being affordable, maintaining it is relatively inexpensive. It is easy to find used and new parts for this model since it has gone unchanged for a very long time. The truck’s design also allows for quick and effortless access to the components, so repairs are quite easy-breezy.  
  9. Chevrolet Cruze Source: Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock.com When it comes to the simplest vehicle designs to work on, the Chevrolet Cruze easily tops the chart. The car has a well-organized engine compartment – nearly every component is clearly visible. Even if you’re not a full-time mechanic, you can identify the parts that need replacement or repairs without difficulty. And the neat arrangement of the components enables quick and painless repairs. Its maintenance is not just easy but affordable since replacement parts are readily available in many auto part stores, dealers, and even junkyards.  
  10. Jeep Wrangler Source: Snap2Art / Shutterstock.com My picks of the easiest car to work on won’t be complete without mentioning the Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle is so easy to fix that even when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere, off-roaders can simply take it apart, fix the problem, and get it back on track with minimal tools and effort. There are literally thousands of aftermarket suppliers where you can source accessories and parts for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Like the Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep Wrangler also has lots of enthusiasts that have shared tons of videos and how-to guides that show any user the ropes. You’re not only going to find this vehicle easy to work on, but you’ll also not be left in the dark on how to find your way around it.   What Makes a Car Easy to Work On? You might not be a professional mechanic, but some factors are important to consider when choosing a car, in case you ever need to get under the hood. Although there may be different things to consider, depending on the type of car, experts all agree on the following common factors. Space Under the Hood

Generally, the size of the car and how spacious under the hood is can affect a mechanic’s or your ability to access components that may require fixing or replacement. If certain parts are difficult to access or other components need to be taken apart before reaching parts that need repairs, you can expect the repairs to be time-consuming, and the cost of repairs will also be higher. Some automakers make it easier to work on your car yourself by marking or labeling user-serviceable components and including clear explanations in the owner’s manual. But other makers make things a bit more difficult for the non-professional by letting you figure things out yourself. Access to Replacement Parts

Another factor that can make a car easy to work on (or not) is how easy it is to find replacement parts for it. Of course, if you can find auto parts for a car in your neighborhood, it would be easier to fix and maintain the car than if you have to travel halfway across the globe to get replacement parts. A good way to find cars with common or easily accessible parts is to look for models that have been on the road longer and that are popular. For example, finding parts for a Lambo is comparatively more difficult than accessing parts for a Honda. Even though that’s an overstretched example, but you get the point. Simple Technology

As I’ve mentioned earlier, older models are generally easier to repair than more recent ones. Their engine bays usually have fewer parts and connections. Besides, there’s a lot more information online on performing routine maintenance and repairs on older models. You can quickly get your car up and running by entering a few search strings on your browser. And even if you don’t want to do the repairs yourself, it is quite easy and more affordable to find an auto-mechanic with ample experience to fix a clutch in a manual transmission Toyota Corolla than it is to find one to work on a complex 10-speed Ford F-150 Pickup, for example. Older cars may require common tools to effect repairs, while some newer models require specialized tools to carry out even basic repairs. So, keep an eye out for something not too recent, as those options are likely to come with parts that require less time, money, and hassles to repair.   One Last Thing “Cheap to maintain” or “easy to work on” doesn’t translate to “cheap.” While most recent models are quite expensive and it makes sense to avoid those if you want the easiest car to work on, you don’t have to settle for cheap cars, ever! In fact, you don’t have to settle for cheap maintenance either.

The best way to save lots of money, hassles, and time on car repairs is to steer clear of them in the first place. Although you are choosing a car that is easy to work on, that doesn’t mean you want your car to breakdown frequently so you can put your skills to test. Regardless of whether the repairs are easy or difficult, if you skip maintenance or settle for cheap alternatives, you are flooring the gas pedal on a one-way road to incessant repair town. Whether you buy a new or used car, take out time as frequently as possible to do some routine services on your own. You can do simple things such as checking fluid levels and ensuring they are maintained, checking tire pressure, replacing cabin air filters, or replacing windshield wipers. These services are quite easy to perform and can reduce the number of times your car requires fixing.   In Closing There’s no stopping the fast rate at which technology is advancing – that’s a sure thing, at least for the foreseeable future. That means new car models are expected to feature more complexities. Still, you can find plenty of cars that can be maintained and repaired easily. Of course, you may have to go back a few models to find the easiest car to work on since older models feature fewer electronics. Alternatively, you can continue to update your car-repair DIY skills so you could handle even the most recent models. Either way, one thing is for sure; whether you own one of the strangest car models ever made or you are hunting for models that age like fine wine, you won’t run out of cars that are easy to work on from the comfort of your home.

Not too long ago, cars were easy to fix because they didn’t have high-end technical issues or complex electronics to deal with. Any home mechanic can fix minor car problems (almost every problem was minor back in the day!) with a few basic mechanic tools. But those days are gone! As technology got more complex, so were cars, too. What used to be a few metal pieces and a basic engine is now an intricate work of modern art combined with computerized parts that the average owner knows almost nothing about. Thankfully, some car models are still easy to fix. And I’ll show you 10 of those in this article. First Things First

Picture this: You are in the middle of nowhere driving back home when your Chevy decides to stutter and come to a grinding halt! You open the hood, and the sight that greets you leaves you more confused than before. Not because there’s a smoke or fire, but because you can’t even tell the ABS from the fuel injector. In fact, you don’t even know if your car comes with a carburetor or an injector! If owning a car is something you would like to do or you already own one, here’s a small favor you could do for yourself. Get the basic knowledge about cars, at least your type of car. Some car problems are actually minor and can be fixed in no time and with a spanner, clear thinking, and a couple of grunts. Next, consider how easy (or not) it is to work on a car before buying it. Don’t be carried away by the price tag only. Think gas, maintenance, and repairs when choosing a car. Essentially, the simpler the technology, the less tricky it is to work on the car. That’s another way of saying more recent models require specialized knowledge to fix if they develop problems. Things are a lot easier with older models. But by older models, I don’t mean ancient carriages or some rickety junker. You can actually find the easiest car to work on from models as recent as 2017 – that’s just three years back. Of course, if you are exceptionally handy, you could find very old rattletraps and convert them into jaw-dropping rat rods. And by the way, if you’re fishing for ideas to build rat rods, check out this post to discover 70 totally awesome ideas to piece together your next cool custom car.   The Easiest Car to Work On: My Top 10 Picks No doubt – some cars are easier to repair than others. But which models or make are the easiest? Here are my top 10 picks.

  1. Chevrolet Silverado Source: betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com Some cars are built to retain the original designs for a long time, even with newer models. This infrequent redesign provides a solid knowledge base and offers plenty of replacement or repairs parts. One such car is the GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado. As you would expect of a truck, it comes with a very spacious engine compartment with trouble-free access to commonly replaced parts and areas that require frequent maintenance. Whether you plan on working on these trucks yourself or letting a mechanic to the maintenance and repairs, it is best to go for models earlier than 2014, as these aren’t as complex as later generations. But if you are on the lookout for the absolute easiest car to work on from this brand, consider choosing a model from 2003 to 2007. Many of these trucks are on the road, which means finding a mechanic that has excellent know-how about them is not difficult. Other alternatives with similar engines and chassis components include Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon.  
  2. Honda Accord Source: Foto by M / Shutterstock.com Honda is one name that reminds car users of reliability; it guarantees efficient performance and dependability. That’s exactly what you get from the Honda Accord model. The 2003 to 2014 models have simple designs that allow users easy access to nearly all the parts. Honda Accord is one of the cars you can work on efficiently without breaking a sweat. Everything in the engine compartment is well-spaced, making repairs less stressful because you can clearly see what you are working with, and there’s less room for errors. But since it is a highly reliable car, it won’t require frequent repairs. Besides, the Honda Accord is a low maintenance car, making it a popular choice for many users.  
  3. Toyota Corolla Source: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock.com Over 44 million Toyota Corolla cars have been sold since its launch in 1966, making it one of the most widely sold cars to date. Interestingly, most of these cars are still on the road. Toyota Corolla is a dependable car, often needing fewer repairs. But when it comes time to fix a problem or replace parts, it is quite easy. Besides being a reliable automobile, its widespread popularity makes replacement parts easily accessible, particularly if you are thinking of buying the models from 1988 to 2017. You can easily find parts for these models in auto shops. But if you want to save a lot more money, head on to a junkyard. And because the engine area is easy to access, working under the hood is a breeze.  
  4. Mazda MX-5 Source: @Gary_shoots / Shutterstock.com The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight roadster that has retained its original design. Despite constant advancements in sports cars, this car continues to maintain its simplicity. Its lack of complex electronic components makes it a breeze to work on. Early models have engines that are not difficult to maintain. You’ll find the sparkplugs conveniently located on top of the engine block for quick and easy access. And because the roadster sits really low, access to every corner of the engine compartment is painless. There are also robust online resources where you can find virtually answers to any questions you have about the Mazda MX-5. The engines in more recent models are somewhat loaded with more components but are still fairly less complicated to work on than other sports cars.  
  5. Toyota Tacoma Source: ZikG / Shutterstock.com If trucks are your thing, and you want one with a lot of the attributes that make cars easy to maintain and work on, consider getting a Toyota Tacoma. Besides its capability of providing trouble-free service for many years, Tacoma has been around for a long time, and its design has hardly changed significantly. In other words, there’s a vast database of knowledge about the trucks as well as available parts for its various generations. Heck, there are even countless videos on YouTube from die-hard fans sharing useful tips on repairs, maintenance, and even upgrade procedures. There is nothing tricky about Tacoma’s system. It is as simple as it looks, and all of its components are easy to locate under the hood. Whether you are repairing or upgrading, Toyota Tacoma is one of the trucks with the most readily available parts and add-ons on the market.  
  6. Subaru BRZ Source: JasonRenfrow / Shutterstock.com Access to the insides and engines of Subaru BRZ is easy, making repairs convenient even for DIYers. The car also offers superb independent support, which goes a long way to enhance its performance. However, the problem most people may have with this otherwise robust car is changing the sparkplug. Sparkplugs are among the most common things most self-taught mechanics like to work on, but they are not easily accessible in Subaru BRZ. Other than that, the engine is not complicated and a lot easy to work on. Changing the oil or replacing the bolts is not difficult, especially as the engine bolts are interchangeable. The chains and timing belt are conveniently located in the engine’s front compartment, which means you can access them with ease if the need arises. Overall, this is an easy car to work on if you can get past the somewhat difficult-to-access sparkplugs.  
  7. Honda CR-V Source: auto-data.net / Shutterstock.com Honda CR-V is not just a beautiful, reliable, and efficient car; it is also durable and doesn’t develop a lot of problems like some other vehicles. What makes this vehicle easy to work on is its simple engine compartment. You can check the various parts at a glance and effect repairs where necessary. Equally, the parts are readily available since it has been around for quite a while. Honda CR-V is a well-performing car that very affordable to maintain. You probably will only need to get under the hood a couple of times in a year for any major repairs.  
  8. Nissan Frontier Source: Darren Brode / Shutterstock.com The Nissan Frontier is another vehicle that has stuck with its original design since it hit the road in 2005. While some may see this as a reason not to choose this car, it is actually a good thing if you want a drama-free vehicle that doesn’t need parts from halfway across the world. Besides being affordable, maintaining it is relatively inexpensive. It is easy to find used and new parts for this model since it has gone unchanged for a very long time. The truck’s design also allows for quick and effortless access to the components, so repairs are quite easy-breezy.  
  9. Chevrolet Cruze Source: Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock.com When it comes to the simplest vehicle designs to work on, the Chevrolet Cruze easily tops the chart. The car has a well-organized engine compartment – nearly every component is clearly visible. Even if you’re not a full-time mechanic, you can identify the parts that need replacement or repairs without difficulty. And the neat arrangement of the components enables quick and painless repairs. Its maintenance is not just easy but affordable since replacement parts are readily available in many auto part stores, dealers, and even junkyards.  
  10. Jeep Wrangler Source: Snap2Art / Shutterstock.com My picks of the easiest car to work on won’t be complete without mentioning the Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle is so easy to fix that even when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere, off-roaders can simply take it apart, fix the problem, and get it back on track with minimal tools and effort. There are literally thousands of aftermarket suppliers where you can source accessories and parts for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Like the Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep Wrangler also has lots of enthusiasts that have shared tons of videos and how-to guides that show any user the ropes. You’re not only going to find this vehicle easy to work on, but you’ll also not be left in the dark on how to find your way around it.   What Makes a Car Easy to Work On? You might not be a professional mechanic, but some factors are important to consider when choosing a car, in case you ever need to get under the hood. Although there may be different things to consider, depending on the type of car, experts all agree on the following common factors. Space Under the Hood

Generally, the size of the car and how spacious under the hood is can affect a mechanic’s or your ability to access components that may require fixing or replacement. If certain parts are difficult to access or other components need to be taken apart before reaching parts that need repairs, you can expect the repairs to be time-consuming, and the cost of repairs will also be higher. Some automakers make it easier to work on your car yourself by marking or labeling user-serviceable components and including clear explanations in the owner’s manual. But other makers make things a bit more difficult for the non-professional by letting you figure things out yourself. Access to Replacement Parts

Another factor that can make a car easy to work on (or not) is how easy it is to find replacement parts for it. Of course, if you can find auto parts for a car in your neighborhood, it would be easier to fix and maintain the car than if you have to travel halfway across the globe to get replacement parts. A good way to find cars with common or easily accessible parts is to look for models that have been on the road longer and that are popular. For example, finding parts for a Lambo is comparatively more difficult than accessing parts for a Honda. Even though that’s an overstretched example, but you get the point. Simple Technology

As I’ve mentioned earlier, older models are generally easier to repair than more recent ones. Their engine bays usually have fewer parts and connections. Besides, there’s a lot more information online on performing routine maintenance and repairs on older models. You can quickly get your car up and running by entering a few search strings on your browser. And even if you don’t want to do the repairs yourself, it is quite easy and more affordable to find an auto-mechanic with ample experience to fix a clutch in a manual transmission Toyota Corolla than it is to find one to work on a complex 10-speed Ford F-150 Pickup, for example. Older cars may require common tools to effect repairs, while some newer models require specialized tools to carry out even basic repairs. So, keep an eye out for something not too recent, as those options are likely to come with parts that require less time, money, and hassles to repair.   One Last Thing “Cheap to maintain” or “easy to work on” doesn’t translate to “cheap.” While most recent models are quite expensive and it makes sense to avoid those if you want the easiest car to work on, you don’t have to settle for cheap cars, ever! In fact, you don’t have to settle for cheap maintenance either.

The best way to save lots of money, hassles, and time on car repairs is to steer clear of them in the first place. Although you are choosing a car that is easy to work on, that doesn’t mean you want your car to breakdown frequently so you can put your skills to test. Regardless of whether the repairs are easy or difficult, if you skip maintenance or settle for cheap alternatives, you are flooring the gas pedal on a one-way road to incessant repair town. Whether you buy a new or used car, take out time as frequently as possible to do some routine services on your own. You can do simple things such as checking fluid levels and ensuring they are maintained, checking tire pressure, replacing cabin air filters, or replacing windshield wipers. These services are quite easy to perform and can reduce the number of times your car requires fixing.   In Closing There’s no stopping the fast rate at which technology is advancing – that’s a sure thing, at least for the foreseeable future. That means new car models are expected to feature more complexities. Still, you can find plenty of cars that can be maintained and repaired easily. Of course, you may have to go back a few models to find the easiest car to work on since older models feature fewer electronics. Alternatively, you can continue to update your car-repair DIY skills so you could handle even the most recent models. Either way, one thing is for sure; whether you own one of the strangest car models ever made or you are hunting for models that age like fine wine, you won’t run out of cars that are easy to work on from the comfort of your home.

Not too long ago, cars were easy to fix because they didn’t have high-end technical issues or complex electronics to deal with. Any home mechanic can fix minor car problems (almost every problem was minor back in the day!) with a few basic mechanic tools.

But those days are gone! As technology got more complex, so were cars, too. What used to be a few metal pieces and a basic engine is now an intricate work of modern art combined with computerized parts that the average owner knows almost nothing about.

Thankfully, some car models are still easy to fix. And I’ll show you 10 of those in this article.

First Things First

Picture this:

You are in the middle of nowhere driving back home when your Chevy decides to stutter and come to a grinding halt! You open the hood, and the sight that greets you leaves you more confused than before. Not because there’s a smoke or fire, but because you can’t even tell the ABS from the fuel injector. In fact, you don’t even know if your car comes with a carburetor or an injector!

If owning a car is something you would like to do or you already own one, here’s a small favor you could do for yourself. Get the basic knowledge about cars, at least your type of car. Some car problems are actually minor and can be fixed in no time and with a spanner, clear thinking, and a couple of grunts.

Next, consider how easy (or not) it is to work on a car before buying it. Don’t be carried away by the price tag only. Think gas, maintenance, and repairs when choosing a car. Essentially, the simpler the technology, the less tricky it is to work on the car. That’s another way of saying more recent models require specialized knowledge to fix if they develop problems. Things are a lot easier with older models.

But by older models, I don’t mean ancient carriages or some rickety junker. You can actually find the easiest car to work on from models as recent as 2017 – that’s just three years back. Of course, if you are exceptionally handy, you could find very old rattletraps and convert them into jaw-dropping rat rods. And by the way, if you’re fishing for ideas to build rat rods, check out this post to discover 70 totally awesome ideas to piece together your next cool custom car.

 

The Easiest Car to Work On: My Top 10 Picks

No doubt – some cars are easier to repair than others. But which models or make are the easiest? Here are my top 10 picks.

1. Chevrolet Silverado

Source: betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com

Some cars are built to retain the original designs for a long time, even with newer models. This infrequent redesign provides a solid knowledge base and offers plenty of replacement or repairs parts. One such car is the GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado.

As you would expect of a truck, it comes with a very spacious engine compartment with trouble-free access to commonly replaced parts and areas that require frequent maintenance. Whether you plan on working on these trucks yourself or letting a mechanic to the maintenance and repairs, it is best to go for models earlier than 2014, as these aren’t as complex as later generations. But if you are on the lookout for the absolute easiest car to work on from this brand, consider choosing a model from 2003 to 2007.

Many of these trucks are on the road, which means finding a mechanic that has excellent know-how about them is not difficult. Other alternatives with similar engines and chassis components include Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon.

2. Honda Accord

Source: Foto by M / Shutterstock.com

Honda is one name that reminds car users of reliability; it guarantees efficient performance and dependability. That’s exactly what you get from the Honda Accord model. The 2003 to 2014 models have simple designs that allow users easy access to nearly all the parts. Honda Accord is one of the cars you can work on efficiently without breaking a sweat.

Everything in the engine compartment is well-spaced, making repairs less stressful because you can clearly see what you are working with, and there’s less room for errors. But since it is a highly reliable car, it won’t require frequent repairs. Besides, the Honda Accord is a low maintenance car, making it a popular choice for many users.

3. Toyota Corolla

Source: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock.com

Over 44 million Toyota Corolla cars have been sold since its launch in 1966, making it one of the most widely sold cars to date. Interestingly, most of these cars are still on the road. Toyota Corolla is a dependable car, often needing fewer repairs. But when it comes time to fix a problem or replace parts, it is quite easy.

Besides being a reliable automobile, its widespread popularity makes replacement parts easily accessible, particularly if you are thinking of buying the models from 1988 to 2017. You can easily find parts for these models in auto shops. But if you want to save a lot more money, head on to a junkyard. And because the engine area is easy to access, working under the hood is a breeze.

4. Mazda MX-5

Source: @Gary_shoots / Shutterstock.com

The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight roadster that has retained its original design. Despite constant advancements in sports cars, this car continues to maintain its simplicity. Its lack of complex electronic components makes it a breeze to work on.

Early models have engines that are not difficult to maintain. You’ll find the sparkplugs conveniently located on top of the engine block for quick and easy access. And because the roadster sits really low, access to every corner of the engine compartment is painless. There are also robust online resources where you can find virtually answers to any questions you have about the Mazda MX-5.

The engines in more recent models are somewhat loaded with more components but are still fairly less complicated to work on than other sports cars.

5. Toyota Tacoma

Source: ZikG / Shutterstock.com

If trucks are your thing, and you want one with a lot of the attributes that make cars easy to maintain and work on, consider getting a Toyota Tacoma. Besides its capability of providing trouble-free service for many years, Tacoma has been around for a long time, and its design has hardly changed significantly.

In other words, there’s a vast database of knowledge about the trucks as well as available parts for its various generations. Heck, there are even countless videos on YouTube from die-hard fans sharing useful tips on repairs, maintenance, and even upgrade procedures.

There is nothing tricky about Tacoma’s system. It is as simple as it looks, and all of its components are easy to locate under the hood. Whether you are repairing or upgrading, Toyota Tacoma is one of the trucks with the most readily available parts and add-ons on the market.

6. Subaru BRZ

Source: JasonRenfrow / Shutterstock.com

Access to the insides and engines of Subaru BRZ is easy, making repairs convenient even for DIYers. The car also offers superb independent support, which goes a long way to enhance its performance. However, the problem most people may have with this otherwise robust car is changing the sparkplug. Sparkplugs are among the most common things most self-taught mechanics like to work on, but they are not easily accessible in Subaru BRZ.

Other than that, the engine is not complicated and a lot easy to work on. Changing the oil or replacing the bolts is not difficult, especially as the engine bolts are interchangeable. The chains and timing belt are conveniently located in the engine’s front compartment, which means you can access them with ease if the need arises. Overall, this is an easy car to work on if you can get past the somewhat difficult-to-access sparkplugs.

7. Honda CR-V

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Honda CR-V is not just a beautiful, reliable, and efficient car; it is also durable and doesn’t develop a lot of problems like some other vehicles.

What makes this vehicle easy to work on is its simple engine compartment. You can check the various parts at a glance and effect repairs where necessary. Equally, the parts are readily available since it has been around for quite a while.

Honda CR-V is a well-performing car that very affordable to maintain. You probably will only need to get under the hood a couple of times in a year for any major repairs.

8. Nissan Frontier

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The Nissan Frontier is another vehicle that has stuck with its original design since it hit the road in 2005. While some may see this as a reason not to choose this car, it is actually a good thing if you want a drama-free vehicle that doesn’t need parts from halfway across the world.

Besides being affordable, maintaining it is relatively inexpensive. It is easy to find used and new parts for this model since it has gone unchanged for a very long time. The truck’s design also allows for quick and effortless access to the components, so repairs are quite easy-breezy.

9. Chevrolet Cruze

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When it comes to the simplest vehicle designs to work on, the Chevrolet Cruze easily tops the chart. The car has a well-organized engine compartment – nearly every component is clearly visible.

Even if you’re not a full-time mechanic, you can identify the parts that need replacement or repairs without difficulty. And the neat arrangement of the components enables quick and painless repairs. Its maintenance is not just easy but affordable since replacement parts are readily available in many auto part stores, dealers, and even junkyards.

10. Jeep Wrangler

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My picks of the easiest car to work on won’t be complete without mentioning the Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle is so easy to fix that even when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere, off-roaders can simply take it apart, fix the problem, and get it back on track with minimal tools and effort.

There are literally thousands of aftermarket suppliers where you can source accessories and parts for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Like the Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep Wrangler also has lots of enthusiasts that have shared tons of videos and how-to guides that show any user the ropes. You’re not only going to find this vehicle easy to work on, but you’ll also not be left in the dark on how to find your way around it.

What Makes a Car Easy to Work On?

You might not be a professional mechanic, but some factors are important to consider when choosing a car, in case you ever need to get under the hood. Although there may be different things to consider, depending on the type of car, experts all agree on the following common factors.

Space Under the Hood

Generally, the size of the car and how spacious under the hood is can affect a mechanic’s or your ability to access components that may require fixing or replacement. If certain parts are difficult to access or other components need to be taken apart before reaching parts that need repairs, you can expect the repairs to be time-consuming, and the cost of repairs will also be higher.

Some automakers make it easier to work on your car yourself by marking or labeling user-serviceable components and including clear explanations in the owner’s manual. But other makers make things a bit more difficult for the non-professional by letting you figure things out yourself.

Access to Replacement Parts

Another factor that can make a car easy to work on (or not) is how easy it is to find replacement parts for it. Of course, if you can find auto parts for a car in your neighborhood, it would be easier to fix and maintain the car than if you have to travel halfway across the globe to get replacement parts.

A good way to find cars with common or easily accessible parts is to look for models that have been on the road longer and that are popular. For example, finding parts for a Lambo is comparatively more difficult than accessing parts for a Honda. Even though that’s an overstretched example, but you get the point.

Simple Technology

As I’ve mentioned earlier, older models are generally easier to repair than more recent ones. Their engine bays usually have fewer parts and connections. Besides, there’s a lot more information online on performing routine maintenance and repairs on older models. You can quickly get your car up and running by entering a few search strings on your browser.

And even if you don’t want to do the repairs yourself, it is quite easy and more affordable to find an auto-mechanic with ample experience to fix a clutch in a manual transmission Toyota Corolla than it is to find one to work on a complex 10-speed Ford F-150 Pickup, for example.

Older cars may require common tools to effect repairs, while some newer models require specialized tools to carry out even basic repairs.

So, keep an eye out for something not too recent, as those options are likely to come with parts that require less time, money, and hassles to repair.

One Last Thing

“Cheap to maintain” or “easy to work on” doesn’t translate to “cheap.” While most recent models are quite expensive and it makes sense to avoid those if you want the easiest car to work on, you don’t have to settle for cheap cars, ever! In fact, you don’t have to settle for cheap maintenance either.

The best way to save lots of money, hassles, and time on car repairs is to steer clear of them in the first place. Although you are choosing a car that is easy to work on, that doesn’t mean you want your car to breakdown frequently so you can put your skills to test. Regardless of whether the repairs are easy or difficult, if you skip maintenance or settle for cheap alternatives, you are flooring the gas pedal on a one-way road to incessant repair town.

Whether you buy a new or used car, take out time as frequently as possible to do some routine services on your own. You can do simple things such as checking fluid levels and ensuring they are maintained, checking tire pressure, replacing cabin air filters, or replacing windshield wipers. These services are quite easy to perform and can reduce the number of times your car requires fixing.

In Closing

There’s no stopping the fast rate at which technology is advancing – that’s a sure thing, at least for the foreseeable future. That means new car models are expected to feature more complexities. Still, you can find plenty of cars that can be maintained and repaired easily. Of course, you may have to go back a few models to find the easiest car to work on since older models feature fewer electronics.

Alternatively, you can continue to update your car-repair DIY skills so you could handle even the most recent models. Either way, one thing is for sure; whether you own one of the strangest car models ever made or you are hunting for models that age like fine wine, you won’t run out of cars that are easy to work on from the comfort of your home.