Any reasonable buyer should consider a car's reliability as the priority qualification. A car owner should only pay once for a vehicle, but without proper research, you risk subjecting yourself to a lifetime of emotional and financial ruin. Usually, when we think of European cars, we expect exceptional performance and luxury.
More often than not, European carmakers live up to our expectations of luxury and performance, but with reliability, it's not always the case. It seems there is a price to pay for the performance and luxury that European cars offer. Here, we'll look at ten times when European carmakers built unreliable and overpriced cars.
10 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 ($43,500) - Loose Sunroof Panel, Exploding Airbags
The 2015 C300 was the most aggressive-looking version of its time. Sadly, it barked worse than it bit. The turbocharged inline-four onboard made 241 hp through a 7-speed automatic transmission. With an outrageous curb weight of 3645 lbs, its acceleration left much to be desired.
These cars are the worst used luxury sedans you should avoid as they have a host of issues. The car got some of the worst consumer report ratings of its year due to trouble spots ranging from the engine, brakes, power equipment, and the electrical unit.
9 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia ($44,000) - Engine, Brake, & Electrical Failures
An Alfa Romeo Giulia should be an excellent alternative to the familiar German executive sedans. However, a worrying number of Giulias from this year had engine failures, brake problems, and non-engine electrical faults.
Some of these serious faults resulted in a week or more of repair time. While the car carries the traditional Italian good look and has some substance to back up its style, some model years are notorious for poor reliability.
8 2019 Range Rover Evoque ($42,000) - Electrical & Bodywork Problems
The most common problems that should scare you from a Range Rover Evoque include electrical and bodywork problems. Although these cars are comfortable and stylish, several issues are prone to arise in the brake system, which could leave you devastated in repair bills.
These cars are the dream cars of many people, but they could easily turn into your worst nightmare. The radiator fan also seems to cause major issues that may result in overheating. Some users reported unwarned shutdowns that called for a new engine with barely 20k miles on it.
7 2011 - 2018 Audi A6 ($55,000) - Engine & Electrical Issues
The Audi A6 is a luxury sedan that has been on the market since 2011. It's a German-engineered car known for its high-end features and sleek design. However, the A6 has also been known for its reliability issues and high price tag.
In fact, it's been named one of the most unreliable and overpriced cars on the market. The A6 has been known to have issues with its electrical system, engine, and transmission.
6 2014 Land Rover Discovery Sport ($57,000) - AC, Battery, Electronics Problems
Think of the Discovery Sport as the scaled-down version of the full-size Land Rover Discovery. It has many of the same highlights and off-road prowess as its bigger brother. Although it was the cheapest way to get a new Land Rover on your driveway, it was still more expensive than other compact luxury SUVs.
If you're thinking about buying a Land Rover Discovery Sport, you might want to think again. In addition to being unreliable, the Discovery Sport is one of the most expensive cars to repair.
5 BMW M3 (E46) - ($54,000) - Electrical Issues, HVAC controls, Rod Bearings
It's no secret among mechanics that BMW drivetrains can be heavily unreliable. Although there's some truth to that, there's always a flip side to the coin. You have to pay the price for all the performance you get from an M car.
It's the same as marrying a supermodel. It's not always blissful and reliable; sometimes, you expect the unpredictable, and other times it throws you off. Nonetheless, it is an experience there are rewards as well as risks.
4 2017 Jaguar E-Pace ($75,000) - Body Work Quality
Although the E-Pace is a stylish and relatively new vehicle, there have been several reported issues. You are most likely going to encounter panel fit and paint defects.
Don't be surprised when you find AdBlue fluid leaking from hoses and filler caps, cracks in the rear suspension, infotainment system glitches, and air breather pipes rubbing on engine components. Although these issues might have been teething symptoms in the first generation, the price was too steep for such mediocrity.
3 2008 - 2017 Audi Q5 Diesel ($42,000) - Suspension Problems, AC & Electrical Issues
This compact luxury SUV boasted stylish bodywork and a tech-rich cabin, but it also had flaws. The sunroof was notorious for leakage problems following a poorly designed sunroof drainage system.
Other common problems include excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, leaking fuel, and power steering failure. Owners who found these problems while the car was under warranty had Audi sort it out for them, but in their used condition, they could lead to expensive maintenance costs.
2 2016 Porsche 718 Cayman - (87,500) - Gearbox, Suspension, Bodywork
The Porsche Cayman is undoubtedly an incredibly gorgeous car model, but owning it also comes with its fair share of hassles. When you think of big and expensive car repairs, one of the worst-case scenarios implies engine failure.
Unfortunately, the earliest Cayman models had various engine problems, the most common being oil starvation. Other reported issues included oil leaks and a rear axle carrier prone to fracture.
1 2012 BMW X5 35d (35D) ($52,000) - Multiple Engine Issues
Another BMW is on a list of unreliable cars, no surprises there. This car has a multitude of issues, from turbochargers, EGR valves, and DPF filters plugging off. If you operate the car in very cold conditions, you can experience a high reductant pressure issue.
The car also has rear air suspension problems where it'll start losing air and sags in the rear end. Although the car's engine is good, its dynamic control system also starts to leak and fail slowly.