Cars to Skip on the Used Market
Buying a used car saves money, sure, but some models bring more trouble than they’re really worth. Whether it’s constant repairs or unreliability, we’ve rounded up 35 car models you should skip. Read on before you make your next move and see just which cars you should avoid.
BMW 7 Series
The 7 Series BMW looks fancy, but it’s a nightmare once it starts aging. Repairs cost a fortune, and little things like electronics fail all the time. Owning one is not easy. It’s expensive and high maintenance. Skip this one if you’re not ready to empty your wallet.
Audi A8
Audi’s A8 is another luxury car that feels great at first, but those repair bills will change your mind quickly. Everything is complex and pricey to fix. You might love the smooth drive, but you definitely won’t love the constant trips to the mechanic.
Jaguar XF
The Jaguar badge is cool, but the XF just doesn’t age well. There are a few common issues that many Jag owners face, like electrical gremlins and engine troubles. Unless you enjoy throwing money away, it’s better to admire the XF from afar.
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery has an adventurous image, but an unreliable heart. It’s known for breakdowns, leaky systems, and expensive fixes. People buy them for off-road fun, but spend more time battling mechanics than on muddy trails. It can quickly turn into a headache.
Range Rover Sport
Yes, it’s stylish. And yes, it’s powerful. But owning a Range Rover Sport is like living with a drama queen. They break down often, repairs are sky-high, and even small issues will sting your wallet. It’s better to pick something less temperamental.
Chrysler 200
Chrysler’s 200 might look like a safe bet, but it’s not. The transmission is troublesome, the interior feels cheap, and reliability is not its strong suit. Many owners complain about issues piling up fast, so it’s best to save yourself the hassle and avoid it entirely.
Dodge Journey
The Journey is a roomy family hauler on paper. In reality, though, it’s one of the least reliable crossovers out there. It has a weak engine and constant problems with brakes and electronics. You’ll spend more time fixing it than enjoying the ride.
Chevrolet Cruze
The Cruze is tempting because it’s affordable. But, and this is a big but, it’s known for engine and transmission issues. Cooling system failures are common, too. If you want something reliable and economical, the Cruze is not it.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2013 Malibu looks great, but it comes with a load of hidden headaches. Poor build quality, transmission issues, and electrical quirks make it a risky buy. You’ll find way better options for mid-size sedans without the stress of the Malibu.
Chevrolet Aveo
The Aveo is cheap. But cheap doesn’t always mean good. It’s slow, feels flimsy, and breaks down way more than it should. Repairs aren’t fun either. You might think you’re saving money buying a used Aveo, but you’ll realize you’re throwing even more money down the drain.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta’s automatic transmission is nothing more than a disaster. The car’s shaky, jerky, and known for failing constantly. Repairs also aren’t cheap. You’re better off skipping it, unless you like playing a game of “guess what’s wrong this week.”
2012 Ford Focus
The 2012 Focus has one of the worst transmissions ever. This makes the car shudder, stall, and cost a lot to fix. It’s really a shame, because the car itself drives nicely. But reliability, or rather the lack thereof, ruins the whole package.
Fiat 500
Cute? Yes! Reliable? No! The Fiat 500 is known for electrical problems, weak parts, and some pretty expensive maintenance. It looks good on the outside, but it's totally impractical in real life. Avoiding it is the best solution unless you want to end up paying thousands more.
Mini Cooper
Older models of the Mini Cooper break down like clockwork. These fun, zippy cars have engines and transmissions that fail early, and the repairs are shockingly pricey for such a small car. Unless you’ve got a mechanic as a best friend, it’s best to skip it.
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen’s Passat promises comfort and space. But the reality is engine troubles, electrical glitches, and high maintenance and repair costs. VW parts aren’t cheap, either, and older models tend to rack up issues quickly. It’s not the “reliable family car” you’re hoping for.
2010 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2010 VW Jetta has plenty of complaints - especially about the engine and electronics. Many owners deal with constant repairs and big bills. Sure, it looks sharp, but behind the wheel, it becomes a nightmare that’s expensive to deal with.
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetles are quirky and fun, but owning them is anything but cheerful. They have too many mechanical issues, and repairing these problems is pricey. Many people fall in love with the style, but regret it instantly when the problems pile up.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder suffered complete transmission failure early on. Add in reliability concerns, and you can see why many owners felt it wasn’t worth the risk. Family SUVs should give you peace of mind and not endless breakdowns.
2013 Nissan Altima
Nissan’s 2013 Altima has a CVT transmission that’s notorious for failing. Repairs cost thousands, and the problem is so common that it’s basically a gamble every time you buy one used. If you want a reliable car, keep looking.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is cheap, yes, but it’s not worth it. It feels outdated, underpowered, and poorly built. Owners of the Versa complain about so many little problems that add up over time. Buying one used is like signing up for a never-ending list of little annoyances.
Nissan Juke
The Juke has a funky design that makes it stand out. But, under the hood, it’s not so great. The turbo engine is costly to fix, and the overall reliability isn’t strong. It’s fun to look at, but very risky to buy and own used.
Infiniti QX60
Infiniti’s QX60 looks like a classy family SUV, but it comes with a very shaky CVT transmission. Previous owners have faced huge repair bills. It’s a luxury SUV with a very fragile heart - not something you want in a long-term investment.
Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac ATS is super stylish but not very reliable. It suffers from engine problems and electrical issues. And the repairs? Well, they cost a lot more than you’d expect. The car doesn’t hold value well. It looks good in your driveway, but drains your wallet.
Cadillac SRX
Cadillac’s SRX has a reputation for bad engines and expensive maintenance. Parts aren’t cheap, and the reliability isn’t strong. Buying a used version feels like you’re stepping into luxury. But you’ll quickly realize it’s a money trap.
2014 Jeep Cherokee
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee had tons of complaints about transmissions and electronics. Even after repairs, they act up again. Jeeps are supposed to be tough and rugged, but this model doesn’t live up to its name at all. What a disappointment.
Jeep Compass
Older models of the Jeep Compass feel cheap and don’t hold up as well as they should. Add in weak engines, poor interiors, and frequent issues, and you’ve got a car that’s a bad buy. You’ll spend more time annoyed with the issues than enjoying the ride.
Jeep Patriot
The Patriot is another Jeep that doesn’t quite deliver. It looks rugged, sure, but it’s underpowered and has a weak CVT transmission. Way too many owners regret choosing a Patriot, and better SUVs exist for the same money.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi’s Mirage is one of the cheapest new cars. But that doesn’t make it good. It’s slow, noisy, and feels flimsy on the road. The reliability isn’t great either. It brings a ton of big problems, even though it’s small and cheap.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Outlander Sport sounds adventurous, but it’s really just underwhelming. A weak performance, cheap build quality, and poor reliability hold it back from being a solid used buy. It’s one of those cars that looks better in the brochure than in real life.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2011 Sonatas had serious engine problems. We’re talking complete engine failure, which is about as bad as it gets. Repairs are insanely expensive, making this generation one to avoid. Later models are better for your pocket and your sanity, too.
2011 Hyundai Elantra
Want to know a secret? The 2011 Elantra has engine trouble and reliability issues. It seems like a bargain, but the risk of a costly failure makes it a poor choice. Don’t let the lower price tag fool you, either. This is one car you want to stay away from.
2011 Kia Sorento
It seems 2011 cars are all problematic, right? And the Kia Sorento is no different. It has engine problems that are expensive to repair. It’s a family SUV that should give you peace of mind, but gives you stress and a high repair bill instead.
Kia Rio
The Rio is one of the smaller and more affordable Kias around. But the older models are plagued with so many problems that buying one used is a big mistake. The build quality isn’t great, and the reliability is spotty. You’ll end up with costly repairs.
Suzuki SX4
Suzuki pulled out of the U.S. market in 2012, making finding parts for the SX4 ridiculously tough. On top of that, the car isn’t very reliable. Buying a used version is like signing up for a scavenger hunt where the reward is a costly repair bill.
Volvo XC90
The XC90 is safe and stylish, but older ones are full of issues. Repairs cost a fortune, and they don’t age as well as you’d think they do. If you want a Volvo, it’s better to choose newer models that have far fewer problems with transmissions and electronics.
