Mechanics Hate These Cars
Buying a car is a huge commitment, and while the shiny paint and high-tech screens look great on the lot, the person you should really listen to is the one who has to fix them. Mechanics see the true personality of a vehicle once the warranty expires and the real-world wear and tear begins to set in. They know exactly which engines are built to last a decade and which ones are likely to leave you stranded on the side of the highway with a hefty repair bill.
1. Land Rover
The second your Range Rover starts acting up after five years, you’ll regret buying it. Mechanics curse their air suspension units and computer glitches that plague nearly every model. Driving one will make you feel fancy, but maintaining one will break your bank.
2. Fiat
Everyone knows these cars are cheaply made and their parts don’t last. Mechanics will tell you they hate working on these cars because the engine compartments are so small. Even changing the oil or serpentine belt can be harder than it should be.
3. Jeep
Jeep Wranglers are great off-roaders but have a propensity to fail internally. Your dash plastics will rattle and fall apart before reaching 100,000 miles. Mechanics see these cars because of frustrating sensor failures that will return after multiple attempts to fix them.
4. Chrysler
For years mechanics have proclaimed Chrysler vehicles use cheap materials. They tend to have weak suspensions that wear out quickly, as do their engines. If you want to drive a car that never leaves the bottom of the dependability charts, buy Chryco.
5. Maserati
Owning an exotic Italian car sounds like a dream until you realize that a basic brake job can cost as much as a used economy car. These vehicles are notorious for depreciating rapidly while their specialized parts become harder and more expensive to source as they age. Most mechanics will tell you that the beautiful exhaust note isn't worth the constant anxiety of wondering what will break next.
6. Volkswagen
These cars drive really well, but they use special tools and fancy synthetic fluids that cost you. The plastic parts used in their engines and cooling systems will become brittle and crack, causing leaks that could destroy your motor. You’ll need to follow their service schedule to a T or else spend lots of money repairing mechanical issues.
7. Nissan (With CVT)
Mechanics specifically avoid Nissan because of their continuously variable transmission. They’re expensive to replace and seem to fail at random with no warning. The only hope is to trade in for another car because you’ll probably owe more than it’s worth when the CVT goes out.
8. Mini
That cute Mini you’ve always wanted hides a fancy BMW powertrain that doesn’t age well. You’ll have oil leaks from anywhere that uses a gasket. They even have special turbos that only certain mechanics can fix.
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9. Tesla
The lack of traditional engine parts is a plus, but the build quality of the body and the difficulty of getting spare parts can be a massive headache. Many independent shops won't even touch them because they require proprietary software and specialized training to perform even basic bodywork or structural repairs. You might save on gas, but you'll find that insurance and collision repairs are significantly higher than for a standard vehicle.
10. Alfa Romeo
Italian cars are cool, but you’ll hate taking your Alfa Romeo to work every day. Electrical issues are extremely common in these vehicles due to how sensitive they are to heat. Yeah, you’ll turn heads when you drive it to the shop, but you’ll also become friends with your local tow truck driver.
Now that we’ve talked about some of the worst cars according to mechanics, here are 10 fantastic ones.
1. Toyota
You really can’t go wrong with a brand that has built its entire legacy on being practically indestructible under almost any conditions. Mechanics love working on these because the parts are easy to find and the engineering is straightforward enough that things rarely go catastrophically wrong. If you change the oil regularly, there’s a very good chance the car will outlive your interest in driving it.
2. Honda
These engines are well known for continuing to purr along nicely even after hundreds of thousands of miles of regular commuting. You’ll enjoy how easy it is for a tech to access the engine for regular maintenance without having to tack on extra labor charges. Smart car companies build cars like this so you don’t get slammed with that unexpected $2000 repair.
3. Lexus
Want that luxury feel without literally throwing money at European mechanical problems? Look no further than this brand, as Lexus is the Cadillac of reliable cars. It shares a lot of parts with Toyota, so you get the reliability of an everyman brand with luxury car comfort.
4. Mazda
In recent years, this company has moved toward simpler, naturally aspirated engines that avoid the complications of the turbochargers found in many competitors. They manage to offer a sporty driving feel while maintaining a level of build quality that rivals much more expensive luxury manufacturers. You’ll find that their transmissions are particularly robust and rarely give owners any trouble throughout the life of the car.
5. Subaru
Their symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is top-notch for places like Quebec that get a ton of snow each year. Built like tanks and won’t leave you stranded in the cold. They used to have head gasket problems decades ago, but their newer models are quite good these days.
6. Porsche
If you’re looking at high-performance brands, this is by far the most reliable. Yes, even better than BMW. You can actually drive your Porsche daily and enjoy the engineering that rivals most cars on the road.
7. Buick
Buick doesn’t excite many car enthusiasts, but when talking about ease of repair and longevity, you can’t beat the ol’ Buick. It uses simple and effective powertrains that you won’t have to worry about. Oh, and they’re also comfy as SUVs go.
8. Acura
The luxury version of Honda. What you won’t have to deal with is insane depreciation or bizarre sensor errors. Acuras are beautiful cars that allow you to have luxuries without beating yourself up financially.
9. Hyundai
Hyundai used to be known for being garbage cars, but since their rebrand, they have made cars with excellent build quality. Some of the best warranties you’ll find in the industry. Hyundai has introduced nice interiors to pair with their simple and clean engines.
10. Kia
Kia uses many of the same parts as its sibling Hyundai. They too were known for “terrible cars,” but recently have made a vow to produce reliable and stylish vehicles. Their engine bays are very simple and won’t intimidate the average DIY mechanic.
