To help your money-saving journey to the 200,000-mile club, our experts have mapped out what you need to do to get there. We’ve used a 2023 Toyota RAV4 as an example—the bestselling vehicle in America and popular among Consumer Reports members—but the checklist will be similar for most vehicles.
Our guide focused on a used model rather than a 2025 RAV4 to ensure that pricing was available for its services. (The 2023 and 2025 RAV4 are the same design.) Our mechanics itemized the work needed at major mileage intervals. The Car Repair Assistant, available at CR.org/repair, provided the price estimates, which factor in parts and labor for the Yonkers, N.Y., area—home of Consumer Reports’ headquarters. Prices may vary significantly based on the vehicle, how it’s equipped, your location, and the shop you use. In addition, tariffs may raise the cost of imported parts.
In most cases, an independent repair shop will be less expensive than a dealership for service. In addition, Consumer Reports members who go to independent mechanics and several of the chain repair shops (AAA Car Care Plus and Goodyear Auto Service among them) report having a more satisfying experience and being more likely to get a discount than those who go to dealerships for service. Our survey also found that independent repair shops were the most likely to negotiate on price. If you use a chain shop or dealership for repairs, check its website for discounts or special promotions sent via email if you’ve been a customer there before.
Ultimately, you want to find a shop that you can trust and stick with it. For many owners, that may mean using the dealership during the warranty period, then transitioning to a local independent shop once the warranty expires.
Wherever you have service done, to get to 200,000 miles, the major milestones listed below will help you prepare for the service and budget accordingly.
