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No one wants to get stuck with a car that is going to constantly break down — or worse — become one of the biggest ‘money pits’, costing an arm and a leg to repair each time it does.
But how can you tell when a car is going to give you problems? Are there brands that are more known for causing headaches? If you ask a mechanic, the short answer is yes.
As someone looking for a used car, I’m constantly researching for the best and worst brands. We scoured the internet looking at mechanic and expert reviews on car brands, drawing inspiration from the Men’s Journal and CNBC. I also read through Reddit posts and comments written by mechanics to identify the biggest ‘money pits’ that can drain your wallet with costly repairs and maintenance.
Do you agree with the listed car brands? Why or why not?
Jeep
Are you surprised to see Jeep mentioned? I was too, after reading multiple sources online. As long as you take care of your Jeep, you likely won’t have too many problems.
But once you get too relaxed about maintenance, expect to pay a hefty fee for repairs. According to CarEdge, you can expect to pay about $10,930 for both maintenance and repairs during the first ten years.
Nissan
Nissan’s aren’t particularly expensive vehicles, but repairs can cost you. Mechanics struggle to find parts for older Nissan cars, although this completely depends on the model.
So, what are some common problems Nissan owners face? Nissan owners frequently complain of transmission issues, which is not an easy thing to fix. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 to repair or replace a transmission.
Dodge
Dodge vehicles aren’t the best either. Mechanics on Reddit constantly rant about this brand’s strange vehicle designs. Dodges are known for reliability issues, rust, and engine problems.
If you do have this car brand, take maintenance seriously. Change your car’s oil at 5,000 miles or even before. Repairs can cost you thousands.
Kia
I love my 2014 Kia Soul, but it gives me trouble. I’m not surprised to see that mechanics believe that Kias can be money pits.
One Redditor commented on a post about their experience working on Kias. They specifically complained about older models from the 2000s. According to the Redditor, parts are hard to find.
Chrysler
Chrysler cars get a lot of hate from both buyers and mechanics alike. Constant repairs aren’t unheard of.
If you have a Chrysler, you have a 28.82% chance of needing a large repair within the first ten years. During these same ten years, the average cost of repairs and maintenance is $9,884.
BMW
Another name I saw pop up a lot while researching was BMW. Luxury brands don’t always equal great quality and reliability.
Instead, when you run into a problem, expect a massive bill and a possible delay for repairs as mechanics wait for parts. So, what kind of issues do mechanics see in these cars? Mechanics often see oil burning/leaking and electric issues in BMWs.
Porsche
Like BMWs, Porsche vehicles run into a lot of expensive problems. Finding the parts for these vehicles is easier said than done.
On Reddit, mechanics complained about Porsches because of their strange layout. The placement of the engine can make it hard to diagnose and fix problems. Maintenance is also pricey. According to MarketWatch, in the first ten years, you can expect to pay around $19,168 for maintenance and repairs.
Jaguar
Mechanics struggle with Jaguar vehicles. This is likely because the brand is relatively new, and the newer a car, the more there is to learn. The learning curve can become too much for a mechanic.
Maintenance and repair costs are also very high. In the car’s first ten years, it costs about $14,752 to repair and maintain it. That’s over $1,000 a year!
Mercedes
Last but not least is Mercedes, a very popular luxury vehicle brand. Mechanics especially note that the CLA series is expensive.
The series is known for having transmission issues, which cost a lot to replace. The transmission alone can cost over $3,000. This doesn’t include labor costs. Mercedes vehicles don’t always last past 130,00 miles.
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