When working out the cost of a license-free car, people usually think of the purchase price and the insurance. Maintenance is too often forgotten, or underestimated. Yet it is a regular, predictable expense, and one that varies considerably depending on the type of powertrain. Here are the real figures.
Petrol license-free car: the true cost of a miniature diesel engine
The engines in petrol license-free cars, mainly Lombardini DCI units (SLH group) or Yanmar, are single-cylinder diesels derived from industrial engines. They are robust, but they need regular maintenance.
The oil change: every 5,000 km or once a year
This is the most frequent maintenance item. Unlike a modern car that can go up to 20,000 km between two oil changes, a petrol license-free car needs an oil change every 5,000 km, or even every 12 months if you drive few kilometres.
Price at an approved dealer: 80 to 120 € (oil + filter + labour). Price at an independent garage: 50 to 80 €.
At a rate of 5,000 km per year (the average use of a license-free car driver), this works out to one oil change per year, so 60 to 120 € annually depending on where you go.
The timing belt: the critical operation
This is the most dreaded part. Unlike a timing chain (which usually lasts the entire life of the engine), the belt must be replaced periodically. On a petrol license-free car, the recommended interval is 40,000 to 60,000 km or 4 to 6 years, depending on the manufacturer.
Price: 300 to 500 € at a dealer, 200 to 350 € at an independent garage.
Not to be neglected: a belt that snaps often leads to the destruction of the engine. Better to plan ahead.
The brakes: a low-cost item
License-free cars weigh 350 to 500 kg and do not exceed 45 km/h. The brakes work little and wear slowly. Allow for a replacement of pads and discs every 4 to 5 years under normal use.
Price: 150 to 250 € for all four wheels (parts + labour).
The tyres: small, inexpensive sizes
Petrol license-free cars run on 145/70 R13 or 145/80 R12 tyres, uncommon sizes but available from specialist distributors (Norauto, Euromaster) and from brand dealers.
Price for a set of 4 tyres: 150 to 250 € depending on the brand. Wear is low, so allow for a change every 5 to 7 years in urban use.
Estimated annual total: petrol license-free car
| Item | Interval | Estimated cost | Annualised cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil change | 1x/year | 60-120 € | 60-120 € |
| Timing belt | 5 years | 300-500 € | 60-100 € |
| Brakes | 5 years | 150-250 € | 30-50 € |
| Tyres | 6 years | 150-250 € | 25-42 € |
| Annual service | 1x/year | 80-150 € | 80-150 € |
| Annual total | 255-462 € |
Allow for 300 to 500 € per year for the routine maintenance of a petrol license-free car, excluding unexpected repairs.
Electric license-free car: much less, but not zero
The great strength of electric license-free cars when it comes to maintenance is the radical simplicity of their architecture.
What is not there
No oil change (no engine oil). No timing belt. No fuel filter. No clutch. No mechanical gearbox on recent models. Remove all these items from the table above.
What still needs maintaining
The brakes: less used than in a petrol model thanks to regenerative braking, but not immortal. Plan a check every 2-3 years, a replacement every 5-6 years under normal conditions. 50 to 150 € per year annualised.
The tyres: identical to the petrol version. 25 to 42 € per year annualised.
The brake fluid: to be changed every 2 years. 30 to 50 €.
The annual check at the dealer: required to keep the warranty on recent models. 50 to 100 €.
The battery: the real unknown
This is the main point of attention. The battery of an electric license-free car is generally guaranteed 2 years or 25,000 km at Citroën (Ami), a little more at Aixam.
Beyond that, if the battery loses too much capacity or fails, replacement costs 1,500 to 3,000 € depending on the model. That is significant. In practice, feedback from owners shows that the batteries of electric license-free cars hold up well over 5 to 8 years of normal use, but it is a risk to build into your long-term budget.
Estimated annual total: electric license-free car
| Item | Interval | Estimated cost | Annualised cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5 years | 100-150 € | 20-30 € |
| Tyres | 6 years | 150-250 € | 25-42 € |
| Brake fluid | 2 years | 30-50 € | 15-25 € |
| Annual service | 1x/year | 50-100 € | 50-100 € |
| Annual total | 110-197 € |
Allow for 120 to 200 € per year for the routine maintenance of an electric license-free car, excluding battery replacement.
Comparison over 5 years
| Petrol license-free car | Electric license-free car | |
|---|---|---|
| Routine maintenance (5 years) | 1,500 - 2,500 € | 600 - 1,000 € |
| Unexpected repair risk | Belt, injectors, clutch | Battery |
| DIY ease | Limited (electronic diagnostics) | Almost none |
| Saving at an independent garage | 20-30 % | Barely applicable |
Dealer vs independent garage: which to choose?
For most routine operations, oil change, brakes, tyres, roadworthiness test, a competent independent garage can do the job for 20 to 30 % less than a brand dealer.
Be careful, though: some operations require specific diagnostic equipment, particularly on recent Aixam models and electric license-free cars. For anything involving the onboard electronics or the battery, the official network is often unavoidable.
What you can do yourself
Without any particular mechanical skills:
- Check and adjust the tyre pressure: monthly, free (or 0.50 € at the petrol station)
- Clean the air filter (petrol): every 10,000 km, 5 minutes and a few euros
- Visually check the fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid
- Clean the contacts of the 12V battery (present on both electric and petrol models)
These small actions can prevent costly breakdowns and extend the life of the vehicle.
Conclusion: license-free car maintenance is affordable, provided you plan for it
Maintaining a license-free car is significantly cheaper than maintaining a conventional car. A well-maintained petrol license-free car costs 300 to 500 € per year, excluding unexpected repairs. An electric license-free car comes down to 120 to 200 € per year.
The key is anticipation. Do not wait for the warning light to come on before thinking about the timing belt. Do not ignore a loss of range on an electric license-free car. And keep a few hundred euros aside for the unexpected.
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