To many people, buying a used car can just be as exciting as buying a brand new one. Still, the process can be a complicated nightmare if you don't know how to go about it. You should always keep in mind certain things before you decide to buy a used car.Update February 2022: Some used cars can last you decades without replacing a single part and some are terrible right from the factory! We've updated this list to include more cars that should be avoided, no matter the deal. Don't find yourself regretting your decision of a new car by purchasing one that's bad no matter how cheap it may be.One factor you should be looking at is what you'll be needing the car for. Is this going to be your everyday vehicle or something for special occasions? Some brands are known to be reliable and can go for over ten years with just minimum maintenance, but according to dmv.org, second-tier vehicles form the most significant chunk of the used car market.You should also be checking for hidden costs behind the used vehicle. Factors such as depreciation, insurance, cost of maintenance, taxes can have a huge impact on the general price of the car.
23 Acura RLX
The Acura RLX still averages more than $20,000 when looking for used models. For that much, one would expect a bit more from a luxury brand. The RLX receives poor ratings, with complaints ranging from cheap interior materials which often break or blemish easily to the overly stiff, uncomfortable ride.
Additionally, this large luxury sedan rates poorly in reliability. The Acura RLX has more than 20 complaints across seven model years that solidify it firmly on the bottom of Acura's lineup. Further, a FWD setup and uninspired handling limit the quality V6 under the hood. When an RLX comes up for sale, run away fast!
22 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Despite looking pretty cool, there isn't any saving the Tiburon. Hyundai's sporty coupe can be found at an excellent bargain of less than $3,000, but what you get in exchange may be worse than flushing that cash instead! The V6 powering the Tiburon is only good for 176 horsepower, which is significantly underpowered!
Further, the Tiburon GT is one of the most unreliable models ever, with more than 68 complaints spanning the 12 model years it existed. Many of these complaints surround the clutch and body components. Do yourself a favor and pass on the Hyundai Tiburon GT.
21 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
SUVs have been taking over roadways, leaving many beautiful sports cars in the dust bin of history. While many manufacturers have given new life to old sports cars, what Mitsubishi did with the Eclipse Cross is just insulting. For the average $25,000 you will pay for an Eclipse Cross, you can get a much better SUV. Critics complain about ride comfort, handling even cargo space!
Despite the SUV craze, there are several to avoid, and that extends to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Further, the estimated repair costs within the first few years are expected to exceed $7,000! Not really a budget option for those looking to save some money on a used one.
20 Fiat 500
It is tough to narrow down to a model or a year because the Fiat 500 has been pretty consistently unreliable. Car and Driver gave the new model a 2.5-star rating. Despite the price being dropped to $15,990 in 2017 in a bid to keep consumers hooked, AutoExpress still criticized the basic specs that are available on entry models.
The Fiat 500 received a below-average rating in terms of reliability. For the 2017 model, more than 11% of owners complained more than once of experiencing problems with the car, with the main issue being the suspension.
19 Mini Cooper
According to a study conducted by J.D Power in 2016, there were 127 problems reported for every 100 new Mini Coopers sold. This is a worrying statistic for anyone who wants to buy a used Mini Cooper. According to Consumer Affairs, the most common problems reported with the Mini Cooper include body integrity, cooling system, engine cooling, minor and major engine problems.
According to Consumer Reports, there are over 17 known significant issues with the Mini Cooper. The car might be inexpensive, but the costs of maintaining it are likely to become unbearable in the long run. You should at least stay away from the first and second-year models if you do insist on buying a used Mini Cooper.
18 Mercedes-Benz GL
The Mercedes-Benz GL was first launched in 2006. It was meant to compete in the luxury SUV segment, though many observers felt it was late to the party. According to Wikipedia, it was the first German 3-row 7-passenger vehicle to be available in the United States.
According to Repair Pal, one of the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz GL is that the shifting starts to get rough after only a few years of use. The brake pads and rotors are made of soft materials and will need replacing after roughly every 10,000 miles. Another problem that has been reported by several owners of the car on Repair Pal is oil leakage from the vent housing. The car doesn't come cheap, even for a used one, which is another reason why you should probably avoid it.
17 Dodge Nitro
The Dodge Nitro was on the assembly line from 2007 until 2012. According to Wikipedia, the Nitro shared the same platform with the Dodge Liberty. Jalopnik noted that the Dodge Nitro shared a couple of crippling problems with some of its Chrysler cousins.
The two major problems with the vehicle are an underwhelming interior and a below-par powertrain. Under the hood is a 3.7-liter V6 engine that can produce up to 210HP. The first year was great for the car, as Dodge was able to sell 70,000 units, but sales started dropping by 20,000 every year until it was no longer viable to produce the car.
16 Jaguar S-Type
The Jaguar S-Type was produced from 1999 to 2007. Some might see finding a good condition used S-Type for sale as the perfect opportunity to finally own a Jaguar. For others, the car has a dated exterior which can be off-putting. There are also cramped rear seats, which is not an ideal vehicle for families.
According to Jaguar Forum, there have been 212 reported problems per 100 cars, though they admitted that the sample size might be small, which is reasonable considering that the car is no longer in production. If you buy a used Jaguar S-Type, you should be ready to take it to the garage at least a couple of times per year.
15 Chrysler Town & Country
You've probably seen memes of people making fun of the Chrysler Town & Country. The car was first introduced to the mass market in 1990 and was in production right up until 2016. It is estimated that there were 12 million copies of the Chrysler Town & Country sold when it was in production.
The fact that it is possible to find these vehicles for a low price might be a tempting enough reason to buy one, but keep in mind that the car received a 1.5-star rating on Consumer Affairs with a myriad of problems reported. The main one seemingly being with the transmission. There was even one reviewer who claimed that he had to call 911 because his Chrysler Town & Country caught fire with flames shooting out from under the passenger door.
14 Range Rover
The Ranger Rover is one of the UK's most iconic vehicles, though people seem to have a love-hate relationship. One thing is for sure; people don't buy this thing because of its reliability. The car was first launched in 1970 and is currently in its 4th generation.
According to Wikipedia, the first-generation Range Rover was not designed to be a luxury vehicle. It was basic with a practical interior design. The new generation models sharply contrast this, as the company has seemingly decided to focus on interior quality. In terms of reliability, there have been numerous complaints over the years. Some of the main problems involve the suspension, electrical failures, and oil leaks.
13 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler, it seems, has a quality issue with some of their cars. The Chrysler PT Cruiser was on the assembly line from 2000 until 2010. The car had a unique exterior design and was a dramatic departure from the standard Chrysler exterior.
It wouldn't be wise to go for the early models, no matter how affordable they are. According to Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser did not offer even the standard safety features that were available even in small cars at that time.
12 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer was produced from 1982 to 2005 under different nameplates. There is a Brazilian variant that is still in production. Chevrolet S-10 Blazer experienced explosive growth during its first decade, but that had everything to do with America's obsession with big cars.
You can currently find this car for less than $5,000, but there is always more than meets the eye. According to Car Gurus, there are numerous problems reported with rust. The truck is also underpowered and might not be the best choice if you are looking for something punchy. Some owners have also reported that the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer tips over easily despite being a truck. The interior has also not aged well.
11 Chrysler Sebring
The Sebring was one of the longest-running vehicles from Chrysler. It was in production from 1995 up until 2007. You can currently find a used Chrysler Sebring for as low as $3,000 if you look hard enough. The Chrysler Sebring was voted by Top Speed as one of the decade's worst cars. The convertible variant has been heavily criticized for lacking both in terms of aesthetics and performance.
The hard top had weak reinforcement which made it a safety hazard. The first model had a V6 engine which could produce up to 172Hp. The producers at Top Speed had to be coerced into doing a review for the car. In an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson described the Chrysler Sebring convertible as the worst car in the entire world.
10 Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevrolet Aveo is still in production and has been since 2002. According to Wikipedia, the car is currently being marketed in over 120 countries across 7 brands. The car has a 1.5-star reliability rating on Consumers Affairs. There have been problems documented with the coolant and even some instances of bursting. According to Consumer Affairs, the 2007 model can't make a two-hour trip without experiencing any problems, even on units with low mileage.
Another common problem you are likely to experience is overheating, and the thermostat and the radiator will eventually need replacing, given the numerous complaints documented online. The car also loses power over time and it would be highly unadvisable to buy a used one.
9 Cadillac STS
The Cadillac STS was on the assembly line from 2004 until 2011. They are quite affordable; you can find a 2011 model for as low as $7,000. The car's performance was its main selling point when it first launched. The 2011 model came with a V8 engine which could produce up to 302 HP. According to Car Surveys, the catalytic converters tend to get clogged after a while. This can be a problem if the car is not under warranty.
There have also been problems with shifting, which can become a nuisance if you drive the car on a daily basis. The tech can also become buggy which in turn results in a series of electrical failures. One owner noted that the appearance was the vehicle's only redeeming quality.
8 BMW X5
The X5 is mid-size luxury SUV from BMW that has been in production since 1999. According to BMW, the X5 is more tailored as a Sports Activity Vehicle than an SUV. The sales have been kind of hit or miss with, 40,000 units sold on average every year. According to Repair Pal, the most common problem reported is the air suspension which can cost up to $3,000 to fix.
You are also likely to experience problems with the thermostat and the water pump. There are reportedly persistent problems with oil leaks for the older models. The main problem with the BMW X5 is repairs don't come cheap even though it is a great car to drive.
7 Chevrolet Camaro
Here's yet another American car. The Chevrolet Camaro was first introduced to the mass market in 1966. The first generation featured everything you'd ever want in a vehicle but the same can't be said of all the generations and models. According to CarComplaints, the 2010 model has the highest number of complaints followed by 2013. The most common problem has to do with the engine.
Another common problem that is experienced by Chevy Camaro owners is the premature timing chain wear, which costs an average of$2,000 to fix. There have been also numerous issues reported with the key getting stuck in the ignition switch which can cost up to $300 to fix.
6 Volkswagen Touareg
This German automobile has been in production since 2002. The car is named after the nomadic people from North Africa who are known to explore the desert. According to Car Complaints, the 2007 model is the one that has had the highest number of problems and complaints, although there were problems reported with the 2012 model as well.
The biggest problem with the Volkswagen Touareg is the EPC warning light which can cost over $5,000 to fix. This is not a cost you'd want to incur, especially if you are buying a used vehicle. The second most commonly reported problem has to do with fuel pump failure which will set you back around $11,000 for the newer models. Unless you have a lot of money in the bank, this is not a vehicle you should be buying second hand.
5 Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury compact car that first hit the assembly line in 2013. It has all the aesthetic appeal that would make it attractive given that it is a recent car. According to Car Complaints, 2014 is the worst model year for the car.
The most common problem with the Infiniti Q50 is the pump seal failure and the master cylinder. This costs about $2,000 to repair. Another common problem reported is the premature tire wear which can be a big cost in the long run. The third most common problem according to Car Complaints is premature brake wear which will set you back around $400.
4 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler looks good and has aged gracefully. It is the perfect machine for off-road executions. It has a detachable roof and doors, making it also ideal for summer driving. The price for a basic trim is reasonable, and it's easy enough to find good condition models on the second-hand market. There are over 1,655 issues that have been raised about the Jeep Wrangler on Car Complaints. You should steer very clear of the 2008 model as it is the one that has garnered the highest number of complaints.
The most common problem experienced by Jeep owners is TIPM failure which can happen after around 47,000 miles. The cost of this particular repair is $1,300. Another problem is the death wobble which costs roughly $800 to fix.