It’s a lot to shell out for one of the best trucks and as it turns out, buying a truck isn’t nearly the end of what you’ll pay over the next 15 years. For instance, it’s not just how much you pay when you drive off the lot and more so because a new truck can depreciate by 20-30 per cent within the first year, and 40-50 per cent after only three. This is why many prefer to look for a used Ford pickup as most of the depreciation has already been accounted for a possible savings of thousands of dollars.

Older and Used Ford Pickup Trucks With Ford’s more traditional and secondhand vehicles, there are a number of affordable options that can lower the costs of long term ownership. Cheap F-150 Heritage models, budget Rangers and older F-250 and F-350 trucks all have less financial considerations for long term ownership. Cheap doesn’t always mean more affordable repair costs, older motors, and fuel economy, as well as potentially expensive rental fees and a lack of modern safety tech can all lead to big expenses for the owners of older trucks.

1. New Ford Trucks Lose Value Faster Than Used Models

Another significant pitfall of new pickups is depreciation. New vehicles tend to depreciate (depreciate) from the moment you drive them off the lot. They can depreciate up to 20 to 30 percent immediately, rising to 40 to 50 percent over three years. For prospective buyers, new trucks present the opportunity to pay the high beginning price and sell at a much later date. For old truck enthusiasts, these are advantages. For example, the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT 4WD has an approximate starting price of $56,000, whereas a comparable used 2020 Ford F-150 XLT has an approximate starting price of $36,000, meaning that used-truck buyers can purchase the truck at least 20 grand cheaper than their new counterparts.

Ford Truck Depreciation and Purchase Savings:

• New trucks lose 20-30% immediately
• Three-year depreciation reaches 50%
• 2025 F-150 costs $56,000
• Comparable 2020 model costs $36,000
• Used purchase saves approximately $20,000

How this savings adds up even more when the monthly costs of financing are factored in. When financing a $27,128 used truck, the typical monthly payment averages around $525, compared to $742 for a new truck with a $42,332 loan. And the savings extend further into ownership costs, as insurance premiums for used vehicles tend to be around 3.4% lower per year of the vehicle’s age. An 8-year-old pickup would cost roughly 25% less to insure than a new truck in the same model. Buying used is a popular option for budget-minded pickup owners, but some of the savings are in the purchase price, as there’s more to vehicle ownership costs than the initial purchase.

2. Ford F-150 Maintenance Costs and Problematic Model Years

After a Ford pickup is placed into service, maintenance and repairs will be large considerations in estimating the overall cost of ownership. Ford trucks tend to be relatively easy to service, leading to a predictable cost of typical work, such as oil changes, tire rotations and brake jobs. The average annual cost of repairs for a standard F-150 is about $788, but some mechanical issues can be significantly more costly as a vehicle ages. If the engine needs a new camshaft, that could cost you as much as $1,755. If you’re shopping for an F-150 that is a few years old, pay attention to model years, as some 2004s had multiple recalls and 2008s had weaker general performance.

F-150 Repair Expenses and Model-Year Risks:

• Average yearly repairs cost $788
• Camshaft replacement reaches $1,755
• 2004 models experienced multiple recalls
• 2008 models lacked overall performance
• Scheduled maintenance supports reliability

The variations are important because it means paying special attention to the individual model years when shopping for a used F-150. For example, you might pay less for an older vehicle, but it will be of limited value if it needs to be repaired mechanically soon after you buy it. Still, all used Ford F-150s need to be maintained, with oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks all part of normal operation. Ford’s serviceable engineering means it can be easier to keep up with it all, but that’s not to say that there won’t be major mechanical costs to worry about and consider before you buy.

3. F-150 Heritage and Raptor Offer Different Ownership Advantages

If you’re a seller of mid-2000s Ford half-ton trucks, the 2004 F-150 Heritage could be a good choice when looking for a used truck to sell that might appeal to buyers. This special edition F-150 was restyled from 2003 trucks, and costs an average of about $473 per year in repairs. That’s a fairly attractive number to someone who wants a cheaper used full-size truck, but doesn’t want to suffer through the more extensive mechanical problems of some older versions. Conversely, if you’re a buyer looking at a high-performance F-150 Raptor, it’s comforting to know that even an off-road specialty half-ton truck has relatively affordable repairs, even with a high initial purchase price.

F-150 Heritage and Raptor Repair Costs:

• 2004 F-150 Heritage variant
• Based on 2003 models
• Heritage repairs average $473 yearly
• 2018 Raptor repairs total $3,330
• Raptor averages under $600 annually

You will pay nearly as much in repair bills over the course of five years if you buy one of these trucks (see below), according to Edmunds’ estimates of repair costs for the model. It’s less than $600 a year for a carefully driven 2018 F-150 Raptor. This example demonstrates how the costs to own two different F-150s can differ significantly based on the design of the vehicle. Those interested in an older half-ton that may be less costly to purchase might consider the Heritage, but truck shoppers may find the Raptor might be worth paying more for based on its off-road aspirations and manageable repair estimates (but check your budget).

4. Ford Ranger and Maverick Deliver More Affordable Ownership

If the buyer doesn’t need a full-size pickup, they can save some extra money on Ford’s smaller truck offerings. Older Ford Rangers, especially those made before 2012, have a five-year total estimated average repair cost of about $615. Its low repair costs can be a draw for customers who are shopping used and want a pickup but would like to avoid the added costs of trucks with larger sizes and engine sizes. The compact Ford Maverick is even cheaper when it comes to repair cost estimates. The average cost of repairs and maintenance for early-2022 models over five years is approximately $1,700, making the Maverick an interesting small pickup option for those who want to keep costs down.

Ford Compact Truck Ownership Costs:

• Pre-2012 Ranger repairs average $615
• Ranger suits used-truck beginners
• 2022 Maverick costs $1,700
• Maverick figures cover five years
• Compact trucks reduce repair budgets

Maverick’s five-year estimated repair costs are under $400 per year, making it one of the more budget-friendly options in the lineup. Used Rangers are also a more budget-friendly option into Ford truck ownership, with four-year average repair costs that are also below the amounts for many bigger pickups. This is why people should think through what they are going to use a truck for before buying if you don’t need the size of an F-150, then purchasing something smaller like a Maverick or Ranger with less expensive repair costs each year can be an excellent way to save money. The Maverick and Ranger show that you can afford a practical truck without buying something big and costly.

5. Classic Ford Heavy-Duty Trucks Can Keep Repair Bills Low

Older heavy-duty Ford pickups still appeal to those consumers seeking the capabilities of those trucks without an equally high price tag from current-generation Super Duty models. F-250s built prior to the year 2000 were averaging around $480 in repairs last year, with a used-buy average value ranging from $4,000 to $10,000. This may be a very attractive option to those devoted to the idea of a mechanical build, along with a lower starting point in purchase. Even some older F-350s get respectable repair prices 1997-2000 models of this truck averaged about $529 last year for repair costs and those truck can bring a little bit higher used prices, too.

Classic Ford Heavy-Duty Truck Costs:

• Pre-2000s F-250 repairs average $480
• Used prices range 4,000-10,000
• F-350 repairs average $529 yearly
• 1997 marks the referenced F-350 example
• Classic mechanical construction offers utility

Older F-350 workhorses still pack some meaningful to a trailer, with some models capable of pulling 10,000 pounds with die-hard 230-horsepower powerplants. These trucks aren’t without their share of costly repairs, though. A heater core replacement may run above $1,000, which is a lot of money, comparatively, for a machine that you may have purchased for less than half that. Still, an older, heavy-duty pickup provides decent utility for some years for a fraction of what it costs to buy the latest super-duty model, especially since these vintage workhorses are so simple mechanically. Mechanics love ’em, too, for their pure old-school design, but buyers should keep an eye out for every truck’s reliability, since wear can take its toll on an older workhorse.

6. Modern Ford Super Duty Trucks Bring Higher Repair Expenses

A leap from the old half-ton trucks to today’s heavy-duty models will take you into a far different ownership-cost realm. Newer Ford Super Duty pickups, including the popular 2000s and later F-250 and F-350, generally will present higher annual repair costs than the lighter and smaller F-150 versions. The average yearly repair costs for Ford trucks, per Repair Pal, hover from about $1,241 to $1,304. For many buyers, costs increase still more as you look at various engine options, trim levels and towing needs for a newer Super Duty. Buyers should assume costs more than the initial purchase and towing capacity when weighing a newer Super Duty.

Ford Super Duty Repair and Maintenance Figures:

• F-250 repairs average $1,241 yearly
• F-350 repairs average $1,304 yearly
• 2019 F-250 repairs reach $3,711
• Five-year maintenance reaches $8,503
• Engine complexity affects expenses

Cost of ownership for a 2019 Ford F-250 averages $2,790 to $3,711 in repair bills over five years. Maintenance costs for a Super Duty can reach as high as $8,503, though this can greatly depend on the weight of the truck and complexity of its engine. It’s clear that coming into a heavier-duty truck can massively increase ownership costs, although an F-250 can come close to $60,000 if you’re not careful on the number of options you spec for your truck. Super Duty pickups mean business, but they also come with significantly higher costs, meaning you’ll want to consider whether or not you really need a larger-than-average truck.

7. Ford F-450 Super Duty Offers Competitive Long-Term Repair Estimates

Because of its size and strength, the Ford F-450 Super Duty can be an odd choice for repair estimates, and those estimates can seem alarmingly low. The 2018 F-450 has estimated five-year repair costs of between $3,227 and $3,443. That is good to keep in mind when weighing against other recent Super Duty models, but one key thing to remember about repair estimates is that they don’t factor in other costs that go into ownership. When it comes to maintenance, the F-450’s costs can vary widely depending on the trim level chosen, leading to an enormously high difference in what owners could end up paying out of pocket to maintain the large pickup in the long run.

F-450 Repair and Maintenance Estimates:

• 2018 F-450 repair estimates available
• Five-year repairs start at $3,227
• Higher estimate reaches $3,443
• Maintenance starts around $4,753
• Higher maintenance reaches $8,010

For comparison, we ran our five-year maintenance estimates on the new 2018 F-450, which ranged from about $4,753 for the base variation to about $8,010 for the highest-loaded truck. The latter version is the outlier that shows the variation in the total cost of ownership for this class of heavy-duty truck. While a customer who is only concerned with repair costs might never buy the higher-end trim, the F-450 should have a more detailed comparison of ownership costs than it does. Its individual repair costs are competitive, but the maintenance range goes to show that the least expensive trim when looking at a few repair estimates may not remain the most inexpensive over a long period of ownership.

8. Aging Ford Engines Quietly Increase Fuel Expenses

A couple of less obvious but costly-to-owner-by-vehicle-budget fuel economy issues can rear their ugly head in an aging Ford pickup. As an engine accumulates miles, it’s piston rings become loose, cylinder head wear can cause the fuel injectors to spray fuel unevenly and oxygen sensors can decay. These factors all can contribute to an inevitable fuel-economy penalty of about 10 to 15 percent. That was just fine when a V8 pickup was a daily driver hauling hundreds of pounds of people or load, but these days an older pickup that’s averaging 8-12 MPG can be an expensive daily-ride if driven every day.

Hidden Fuel-Efficiency Problems:

• Worn piston rings reduce compression
• Uneven fuel injector spray
• Degraded oxygen sensors affect efficiency
• Fuel economy drops 10-15%
• Older V8s return 8-12 MPG

But the loss of efficiency is even more significant when you consider an annual total of 12,000 miles. An older pickup that’s lost fuel efficiency will end up costing hundreds more dollars in fuel every year. That ‘average’ commuter pickup that’s gone from 28 MPG to 24 MPG also burns more fuel on an annual basis and that difference adds up, even if it doesn’t initially sound like much. That difference will pile up over a 10-or 15-year ownership period, so it’s important to go beyond purchase price, repairs, and restoration estimates to evaluate the true cost of ownership of a classic Ford pickup truck.

9. Hidden Ownership Expenses Include Rentals and Insurance

Older Ford trucks can be more costly to maintain beyond repairs and fuel. For example, if a classic pickup requires multiple days of service repairs, the owner may need to find a way to get around until the truck is ready to be picked up. This can include rental cars at $40-80 a day in addition to the repair bill. The owner may also have to cut back on work time when needing to drop or pick up their vehicle. And insurance is another significant factor as older pickups often lack a number of safety features and driver aids that could impact insurance discounts and liability risk.

Additional Costs of Older Truck Ownership:

• Rental cars cost 40-80 daily
• Multi-day repairs increase transportation expenses
• Older trucks lack automatic emergency braking
• Lane-keep assist may be unavailable
• Safety discounts can reach 25%

Modern safety devices can affect insurance premiums by enabling the truck to qualify for discounts of anywhere from 10 to 25 percent. Older pickups can cost less to ensure in the comprehensive category, but the absence of newer safety systems means that the liability portion of coverage can still be surprisingly robust. For a buyer, that’s a trade that should be taken into account before jumping into a vintage truck, since a purchase price that’s substantially lower can be offset by added expenses for renting a vehicle, time lost to repairs and insurance. Those prices can be overlooked easily when they don’t always figure into routine maintenance estimates.

10. Preventive Maintenance, DIY Repairs, and Classic Ford Resale Value

One of the top ways owners can keep future expenses of a Ford pickup in check is through its maintenance. For example, avoiding standard maintenance schedules can accelerate wear on drivetrain parts and heavy-duty frames, increasing repair costs. Owners can make their Ford truck last significantly longer past 150,000 miles by keeping up with regular maintenance, and a significant percentage of them-anywhere from 50% to 70% annually-can save money with DIY work on oil changes, brake service, and basic mechanics, helping those who love to work on trucks. You’ll also find legendary powertrains such as Ford’s 300 inline six engine to be reliable, with a 350,000 mile lifespan expected with maintenance and regular oil changes.

Long-Term Ford Truck Ownership Advantages:

• Preventive maintenance extends component life
• Many trucks exceed 150,000 miles
• DIY work saves 50-70%
• Ford 300 inline-six reaches 350,000 miles
• Classic 1972 F-250 Highboy commands $47,000

The savings don’t stop there. An older Ford can also help save money when it comes time to sell. Many classic Ford pickups are highly valued in the collector market and trade at a fraction of the cost of a new truck. While a new F-150 bought for $65,000 may depreciate to almost nothing in 15 years, a 1972 F-250 Highboy may be worth as much as $47,000 when it’s time for auction. That makes them a much better investment than your average new truck. An F-100 or F-250 may even have enough character to become a family heirloom, handed down from generation to generation.