The 2024 Ford Mustang will arrive this summer of 2023, and many Mustang enthusiasts are stoked about it. Aside from adding more muscle in the pony’s EcoBoost and GT trims, this 2024 model year will also include the most powerful non-Shelby Mustang ever in its line-up – the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

While many Ford performance car fans eagerly await for the new Mustang to arrive at their local dealerships, however, some gearheads have started flocking towards used car lots to check out previous model years of the pony car. Market values of used cars skyrocketed back in 2021, but pre-loved car prices have gone down since late 2022.

A major consideration for used car buyers is maintenance cost. After all, no one wants to fork out tens of thousands of dollars to a used car dealer just to drive home an endless money pit of a car.

Current Mustang models require an oil change every 6 months or 5,000 to 10,000 miles (or when Ford's Intelligent Oil Life Monitor says so), a multi-point inspection and tire rotation every 10,000 miles, brake pad, and rotor replacement every 30,000-50,000 miles, and so on. Of course, this schedule can vary depending on climate, driving habits, vehicle age, and other factors.

Understandably, a high-performance car like the Mustang will cost more to maintain than the average family sedan. But not by much for the first five years, thankfully. For instance, a 2023 Toyota Camry will cost approximately $4,000 to maintain for the first five years of operation (an average of $800 per year). A 2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, on the other hand, will rack up $4,373 for the first five years' maintenance ($874 per year, average).

Here are 10 Ford Mustangs with the lowest average annual maintenance costs as of March 2023. You'll also find a summary of these Mustangs' cash prices, reliability scores, consumer ratings, common problems, and several recalls. With all these data together in one place, you'll be able to make a well-informed buying decision.

10 2017 Ford Mustang EcoBoost - $1,533/Year

2017 Ford Mustang white
Ford

The 2017 Ford Mustang is the third model year of the nameplate's 6th generation. Its 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine option provides 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly more powerful than the older 3.7-liter V6 that churns out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft.

Assuming an annual driving distance of 15,000 miles, a 2017 Mustang will have accumulated 90,000 miles. Maintenance expenses for the next five years will include tire replacements, spark plugs, brake pads and rotors, cabin filter, drive belts and hoses, engine coolant, motor mounts, suspension bushings, and shock absorbers. The transmission may also need servicing.

9 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost - $1,719/Year

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Ford

For the 2018 Mustang, Ford changed the front grille design and suspension tuning. Moreover, the automaker gave the pony a new 10-speed transmission and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

Assuming an odometer reading of 75,000 miles, the 2018 Mustang EcoBoost will probably incur the same maintenance expenses as the 2017 Mustang does, except for the cost of new shock absorbers and a complete engine coolant flushing and replacement.

8 2018 Ford Mustang GT - $1,701/Year

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Ford

Ford buffed the Mustang GT's 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine for the 2018 model year, from a previous output of 435 hp and 400 lb-ft up to 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

Despite the larger engine of the 2018 GT trim, its 5-year maintenance cost is almost the same as that of the similarly-aged EcoBoost variant. After all, smaller turbocharged engines need more love as they work harder and have more parts that can fail compared to bigger, naturally-aspirated blocks.

RELATED: The Only 9 Ford Mustangs We'd Buy Used

7 2019 Ford Mustang GT​​​ - $1,845/Year

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Ford

The 2019 Mustang lineup boasted two limited-edition GT trims, namely the 480-hp Bullitt Edition and the GT California Special. Additional improvements include a new rev-matching feature for manual GT trims and an optional Bang & Olufsen audio system upgrade.

A regularly driven 2019 Mustang would have accumulated approximately 60,000 miles on its counter by the start of 2023. For the next five years, it will need replacements for tires, brakes, drive belts and hoses, engine mounts, suspension bushings, and possibly for suspension struts as well.

6 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost​​​ - $1,808/Year

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Ford

In 2020, Ford gave the Mustang's EcoBoost engine the same love that automaker gave the Coyote mill two years prior... and more! With the High-Performance package, the 2020 Mustang Ecoboost gained 20 extra horses plus GT-trim performance and aesthetic components. All Mustang trims also received onboard Wi-Fi.

A well-driven 2020 Mustang would have already passed the 45,000-mile mark, so the next five years will include major costs for the 50,000 and the 70,000-mile schedule (drive belts and hoses, engine mounts, suspension bushings, struts, and transmission servicing).

RELATED: First Look At A Real 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

5 2020 Ford Mustang GT​​​ - $1,856/Year

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Via: Ford

Although nothing notable happened to the Mustang GT trim in 2020, the Mustang nameplate as a whole became the the world's best-selling sports car for the 2nd straight year. Despite its relative idleness in the Ford stable, the standard 2020 Mustang GT can puff its chest out for being in the same model year as the all-new 760-hp Shelby GT500.

The 2020 Mustang GT's annual maintenance cost for the next five years is roughly the same as that of the 2020 EcoBoost version.

4 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1​​​ - $1,220/Year

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Ford

With the same engine and power output as the 2020 Mustang Bullitt edition, the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 was a souped-up, track-oriented GT version. The Handling Package's wider wheels and tires, improved chassis configuration and aggressive front and rear aero modifications further increase the Mach 1's track capabilities.

After only two years and 30,000 miles, a Mustang Mach 1 buyer today will be pleasantly surprised that the next five years' maintenance cost will average only $1,220 per year. That is, of course, if the buyer doesn't shy away from the high sticker price.

3 2022 Ford Mustang EcoBoost​​​ - $874/Year

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Ford

The 2022 Mustang is the 8th model year of the 6th generation. With the 7th generation already in development, Ford can only give the outgoing generation some cosmetic improvements like those in the EcoBoost Coastal Edition.

As the car is still within warranty as of 2023, a 2022 Mustang EcoBoost buyer today can expect a relatively low average annual maintenance cost of $874 for the next five years.

RELATED: Old Sports Cars That Will Obliterate The 2024 Ford Mustang

2 2022 Ford Mustang GT​ - $967/Year

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Ford

The 2022 Ford Mustang GT gained some purely cosmetic improvements with the optional Ice White Package but paid for it with a slight drop in engine power (down to 450 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque).

Nevertheless, today, a 2022 Mustang GT buyer will be happy to know that the average maintenance cost for the next five years is less than $1,000 per year. The average sticker price, however, may not be very enticing because used cars within their factory warranty periods can still hold their value pretty well.

1 2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost​​ - $875/Year

Red 2023 Ford Mustang Ecoboost
Via: Ford

As the final model year of the pony marque's 6th generation, the 2023 Ford Mustang is set to pass the baton to the 7th generation within 3 to 4 months of this article's release. Perhaps the most pertinent point to ponder is whether it's still worth buying a used half-year-old Mustang, or if it's much better to just buy a 2023 model year straight from the dealerships.

The 5-year maintenance cost for either choice will hover around $875 per year.

Sources: Edmunds, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports, West Point Ford, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).