For most of us regular folks, a standard oil change typically costs anywhere from $30 to $100. It’s usually more expensive when we’re talking about premium cars, but that same train of thought is taken to the extreme level when we’re talking about a car like the Bugatti Veyron. The embodiment of excess, the Veyron is more than just a $1.5 million supercar that once held the title as the world’s fastest production car: Everything about it is expensive, right down to the regular maintenance.

If you need an explanation of why a Bugatti Veyron oil change costs as much as a brand-new Honda Civic, then you’re not alone. The truth is, that we live in a world where examples of excess and opulence exist. No more is that evident in the car industry than with a model like the Bugatti Veyron.

UPDATE: 2024/04/07

A Bugatti Veyron oil change is still as expensive as it was when this piece first came out. Nevertheless, we have decided to update the article, adding information about Bugatti Veyron maintenance and elaborating on the maintenance programs Bugatti offers Veyron owners.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Bugatti and other authoritative sources, including Hagerty, Kelly Blue Book, and HotCars.

The $21,000 Bugatti Veyron Oil Change

Royalty Exotic Cars, a company known for renting out high-end performance cars, gave us a peek behind the curtain at what happens when you change the oil of a Bugatti Veyron, while also trying to understand why it costs that much to do it. Part of it is attached to the prestige of the brand. Sure, it’s a ridiculous thought, but it also makes sense.

The Bugatti Veyron Has 16 Drain Plugs

The far more sensible explanation, though, is that the Veyron is one of the most sophisticated cars in the world, all thanks to a network of parts and components that are beyond our realms of understanding. Take the car’s dry-sump oiling system, for example. It comes with 16 different drain plugs, all of which can only be accessed by removing parts of the supercar’s underbody.

It doesn’t end there, either. When it comes time to refill the car with oil and check air filters, mechanics will also have to remove the car’s rear fender liners and rear deck. That’s “have to,” folks. That wouldn’t be so time-consuming if not for the fact that there are way too many bolts on those panels to keep them in place. No wonder this whole process takes around 27 hours to complete.

So, there you have it. A Bugatti oil change isn’t just expensive; it’s also time-consuming. Then again, when you have enough money to actually buy a Bugatti Veyron, a $21,000 oil change should be a drop in the bucket for you. And waiting 27 hours for the whole process to complete shouldn’t be an issue, either, because you can just use any one of your other exotics while the Veyron’s in the garage getting its juices swapped.

Bugatti Recommends Annual Service, Even If You Don't Use Your Veyron

One of the pitfalls of owning a supercar is high maintenance costs. When it comes to the Veyron, those costs take a bite off your bank account even if you don't use the car. Bugatti recommends that you service your W16 beast at least once a year, even if it rarely leaves your garage. If you use your Veyron often, the automaker advises that you bring it in for a service every 10,000 miles.

According to the French automaker, the annual service and inspection of the Veyron takes one week. In contrast, it only takes a couple of hours to service a regular car. Why does it take so long? Well, Bugatti claims that its experts perform 'over seventy different checks and actions' before they hand back the car.

Bugatti Veyron Service Actions

• Oil change
• Brake service, including brake fluid replacement.
• Transmission fluid check
• Battery health check
• Hardware inspection, including wipers, blinkers, and lights.
• Coolant check
• Detailing

Bugatti Veyron Wheels Cost A Whopping $50,000

Wheel changes aren't part of regular maintenance for most car owners. Regular folk change wheels if the rollers get damaged or if they want to pimp their ride. However, Bugatti owners have to change their wheels regularly.

The Automaker Recommends Wheel Changes Every 10,000 Miles

The reason Bugatti requires you to change wheels every 10,000 miles is safety. The forces put through the wheels by the massive Veyron engine may weaken them, potentially causing failure. Therefore, the automaker advises that you swap the wheels for new ones every 10,000 miles. Oh, and the wheels cost around $50,000.

A Set Of Bugatti Tires Costs Around $38,000

Bugatti advises that you change your tires as you change wheels. A set of tires will cost you close to $40,000. To be on the safe side, do as the automaker asks. Bugattis are notorious for burning through their tires: the automaker famously recalled the Chiron Pur Sport after cracks were observed on the rear tires of Chiron Pur Sport tires. Before Michelin could develop a more durable tire for the Pur Sport, Bugatti asked owners to change tires every 1,875 miles.

Let's do some math. If you have an oil change done and swap the wheels and tires in one go, your bill will be $109,000. That figure doesn't include labor costs for the tires and wheels, and the price of any other fault that needs repair. In contrast, Porsche 911 owners pay around $7,000 for a major service that involves engine work.

The Passeport Tranquillite Program Covers Veyron Service After The Warranty Expires

Bugatti offered a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty for the Bugatti Veyron. That warranty has expired on all Veyrons considering that production ended in 2015. Nevertheless, the French automaker offers a way to extend the car's warranty.

The Passeport Tranquillite Program Also Includes Roadside Recovery

The program for Veyron owners covers the car for two years. It is split into two:

• Collector: For Veyrons that travel less than 124 miles annually.
• Active: For Veyrons that see more road time.

Bugatti allows owners to customize the program according to car usage. For instance, they can opt for an annual service that takes around 14 hours or a 32-hour service every two years. Other goodies offered under the program include roadside assistance and car care kit featuring detailing materials.

The Program Is Transferable If Ownership Changes

The Passeport Tranquillite program attaches to the car, so if you purchase a Veyron covered by the service, you are in luck. According to Hagerty, you'll have to pay at least $1 million to own one. As this piece shows, you'll need deep pockets to maintain a Veyron per the automaker's recommendations.