Think These Cars Are Cheap? Wait Until Something Breaks
Affordable cars are great… Until they’re not. One big repair is all it takes for your cheap car to suddenly cost more than you paid for it in the first place. Sadly, this is true of many vehicles. Keep reading to discover some of the most affordable cars with surprisingly expensive issues.
Ford Focus
The Ford Focus is one of the brand’s cheapest mass-produced cars, so it has many fans. However, it has many known transmission issues, with many people noticing the clutch jerking, shuddering, and failing. A full replacement can cost up to $7,000!
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo has been popular for two decades, but its low cost doesn’t negate some of its issues. The most common complaints are a faulty exhaust, clutch failure, and difficulties starting the engine. While small individually, the prices for these repairs soon add up.
Opel Corsa
Even the newest Opel Corsa models typically cost less than $20,000, which explains their popularity. However, lots of drivers complain that the Corsa is poorly built, with problems in the gearbox, handbrake, and timing chain routinely resulting in multiple costly repairs, one after another.
Fiat Panda
You can’t beat simplicity, but the Fiat Panda can quickly become complicated. Many drivers have found the Engine Control Unit to be problematic. ECU repairs usually cost between $300 and $900, but if a replacement is needed, you could be down up to $3,000!
Hyundai I20
The i20 is one of Hyundai’s best commuter cars but also one of its most troublesome. Clutch control is a huge issue for i20 drivers due to the plastic operating rod, as is the fuel tank being unreliable. A little wear and tear can cost a whole lot of money.
Mini Cooper Hatch
The Mini Cooper comes in many forms, but the Hatch is a classic. However, the older models are prone to issues with the timing chain. As the Hatch timing chains are BMW-sourced, they’re expensive to maintain and even pricier to replace.
Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra is one car that has become less reliable with time, and the newest models are some of the worst. The engines use excessive oil and often stall, with transmission also being rough or delayed. Diesel engine Micras are the most expensive to repair.
Volkswagen Polo Mk5
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 is a supermini, but some of its issues are super expensive! The engine, in particular, is prone to excessive oil consumption and leaks. In the most costly cases, this could set you back up to $5,500.
SEAT Ibiza
The Ibiza is one of SEAT’s most affordable and popular cars, for many good reasons. But many drivers dispute its reliability, with many reporting engine misfires, electrical issues, and suspension wear. Unfortunately, fixing these problems takes a lot of time and money.
Peugeot 208
The Peugeot 208 has been a bestseller since it was first launched in 2012, but it’s also had its fair share of issues in that time. Many drivers have reported issues with the battery draining and needing to be replaced, which can cost hundreds.
Kia Picanto
Kia Picantos are perfect for those who want to save money, but they’re prone to some expensive issues. Poor fuel economy causes many drivers to spend excessive money on fuel. Others have reported faulty timing chains, which can cost up to $1,500 to replace.
Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is another of Ford’s top-selling, affordable models, but drivers still report common faults. The car’s transmission is probably its biggest issue, with many people struggling to accelerate and shift gears properly. Replacing the entire transmission can cost up to $7,000!
Fiat 500
It’s everyone’s favorite small car! But the Fiat 500 is actually plagued with some unfortunate (and pricey!) issues. The electrical systems often fail, causing battery drainage and engine misfires, and the transmission is also problematic. The repair bill for a Fiat 500 can easily be thousands.
Suzuki Alto
The Suzuki Alto is another great starter car with a low price tag. And its issues are fairly rare, but they can be expensive, especially if the car doesn’t receive proper maintenance. Engine mount failures can be particularly costly, with replacements priced between $500 and $1,000.
Toyota Yaris
Unfortunately, its good looks and low price aren’t enough to exempt the Toyota Yaris from our list. The steering system is vulnerable to wear and tear, as are the brakes, and the transmission is reportedly unreliable. Repairing individual components, such as the clutch, can cost a lot of money.
Honda Accord
Though the Honda Accord is typically reliable, post-purchase costs can spiral. Some of the older models waste excessive oil, which can cause engine problems, and the transmission can also be unreliable, making the Accord difficult to drive and more expensive to fix.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is a good choice for a city car, but many have criticized its features, blaming its unreliability on its cheap price. Lots of people report issues with the brakes, with some even needing to fully replace them. This repair alone could cost up to $800.
Peugeot 307
The Peugeot 307 is surprisingly affordable for its size. Unfortunately, you may end up spending the money you saved on repairs. Most of the issues are minor, like infotainment system failures and faulty windows, but common suspension problems are far more expensive.
Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz has more than earned its popularity, but it’s still deserving of a place on our list. Newer models feature the iShift automatic gearbox, which often sticks and judders, causing damage to the clutch. Maintenance alone can be very expensive.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra promises quality at a low price. However, its long list of expensive issues will make your eyes water! Drivers have reported issues with the engine stalling, overheating, and leaking oil, as well as problems with the transmission. Even the body paint, which can cost hundreds to re-do, has issues.
Kia Soul
Even the newest Kia Souls are affordable, but the brand still needs to work on the model’s various problems. On top of dangerous airbag malfunctions, Souls are also prone to mechanical and electrical failures. If too many issues accumulate, the cost also adds up.
Toyota Corolla
Despite their luxury status, Corollas are still relatively affordable. Unfortunately, fixing them is not. Repairing the bodywork alone can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000, and that’s before we get to the internal issues. The battery, transmission, and brakes can all be faulty.
Citroen C3
If you’re looking for an affordable family car, the Citroen C3 may seem like the ideal option, but that’s only if no issues arise. The front suspension components can easily wear out, and electrical faults are also not uncommon. Without maintenance, these problems get bigger and more expensive.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is usually praised for its reliability, but that isn’t always the case. Many drivers have had to pay for fuel pump repairs, transmission faults, and catalytic converter replacements, the latter of which can often cost over $1,000.
Volkswagen Golf
Though they look sleek and stylish on the outside, the inexpensive internal parts installed in Volkswagen Golf cars are the main cause of their expensive issues. Parts in the engine often need to be replaced due to overheating or oil leaks, and the electrical system is prone to failures.
Ford Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo typically promises good value for money, but if you don’t take care of it, you could soon be out of pocket. The power steering has been a reported fault since the ‘90s, with drivers paying hundreds for replacement parts. The dual-clutch transmission is also problematic.
Chevrolet Spark
You can’t beat a Chevy! At least, most of the time. However, the Spark is known for being unreliable, even in its most recent forms. Safety features, including seatbelts and airbags, can malfunction, and these must be repaired. Other common expenses include fuel system faults and smoking engines.
Mazda-CX-5
Many people love the Mazda CX-5, and while it isn’t all bad, it may not be the bargain it initially seems. Many Mazda drivers have found the CX-5 to have particularly poor brakes, and the pads and rotors can easily cost nearly $900 to replace!
Range Rover Evoque
Though they’re known for being unreliable, people still love Range Rovers. The Evoque is one of the brand’s most affordable models. However, true to form, it often displays issues, including turbocharger failures. Replacing the turbocharger alone can easily cost $2,000.
Opel Insignia
The Opel Insignia finished production in 2022, but remains popular due to its affordability. However, many soon find that they’re actually not saving money, especially those with diesel Insignias that are prone to flywheel issues. Pricey gearbox and engine failures are also common.
Nissan Juke
Whether new or used, there is a market for the Nissan Juke. Unfortunately, there is also a big market for repairing it. The continuously variable transmission, in particular, is easily damaged, and replacing it can cost an eye-watering $6,000! And that’s before we take other engine faults into account.
Vauxhall Astra
Don’t be fooled by its unassuming family car design! The Vauxhall Astra is plagued by engine and transmission failures, with the clutch being a particularly pricey offender. You’ll easily pay over $1,000 for a new clutch and more if you need to replace additional parts, too.
Ford Kuga
You can get a Ford Kuga for next to nothing, but only if you’re very lucky and don’t experience any problems. Many owners have had to pay over the odds for costly replacement parts, including batteries, turbochargers, and clutches, with labor charges on top.
Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata is an underrated Hyundai that generally works well, but if something goes wrong, your wallet will soon know it! The Sonata is known for both transmission and engine faults, as well as torque converter failures, and sadly, these are never cheap to fix.
Skoda Fabia
Finally, we have the Skoda Fabia. It has been a hit since 1999, but that doesn’t exempt it from some criticism. Most criticism is for its seven-speed automatic gearbox, which is known for being difficult to handle and expensive to repair or replace, as well as its common electrical glitches.
