Why Supercar owners are paying $21,000 just to change their car's oil

Regular gas cars require constant upkeep in a million different ways. For owners of rare supercars, routine maintenance can cause extreme financial shock. New industry reports show that some high-end vehicles demand luxury car maintenance costs that are higher than the price of a brand-new automobile.

One of the biggest selling points of modern electric vehicles is that you do not need oil changes, fluid swaps, or new spark plugs. This benefit is often underrated by regular car buyers. However, looking at the eye-watering prices of supercar service reveals just how expensive owning a traditional gas engine can truly be.

How delayed jets, engine recalls stretch global airline balance sheets to breaking point

Chinese automakers race to build European factories before EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ rules

The Cost of Bugatti Chiron Service

According to data reported by CarBuzz, the number one spot for the most expensive oil change in the world belongs to the Bugatti Chiron. Getting a simple fluid service for this hypercar requires an astonishing $21,000 oil change fee.

The price is incredibly high because the car features a complex dry-sump setup with 16 separate drain plugs. Mechanics must perform around 27 hours of specialised labor just to access the engine. Workers have to carefully remove large body panels, rear bumpers, wheel liners, and side scoops just to look inside.

Specialised supercar maintenance and hidden fees

Other legendary sports cars face similar budget-breaking maintenance requirements. The iconic 1990s McLaren F1 was incredibly expensive to buy launch, and it is even more expensive to run today. This vehicle features a gold-lined engine bay that requires intensive expert care and specialized maintenance protocols. A single oil change for the McLaren F1 costs a staggering $8,000.

Furthermore, the famous Porsche Carrera GT has a high service price for a very wild reason. The car uses an engine that is loosely related to an Formula One V10. Because of this design, mechanics cannot use normal tools. Shops must use a specialized $10,000 car jack just to lift the vehicle and safely access its underbelly. While the oil change itself is not overly complicated, simply reaching the parts requires a fortune in equipment.

High-End Exotic Car Service Bundles

Elite models like the Lamborghini Murciélago and Ferrari Enzo also make the list of high-priced vehicles, but with a specific catch. For these two specific cars, changing the oil is not overly expensive on its own.
Instead, the factory service protocols pair the oil change with several other seemingly simple checkups.

When these tasks are added together, the final bill shoots up fast. For example, a routine service visit for a Ferrari Enzo easily shoots past the $10,000 mark. These extreme numbers are causing many wealthy collectors to look closely at the future of electric supercars to avoid massive automotive ownership costs.