Difficult repairs? Like what? Replace an engine? That’s an afternoon. Transmission? Also an afternoon. These aren’t difficult, and a decent local shop won’t charge through the nose like a dealer does.
Modern ICE from Japan are about as easy as it gets.
Average age of cars in my family is 10 years. Some are 30. This across probably 20 cars.
My current vehicle is 15 years old. It’s cost maybe $2000 in repairs in that time. An EV would be on its second battery, heading for a third.