Five Used Cars To Stay Away From

If you’re browsing used car dealerships on the lookout for an affordable and reliable vehicle, it’s good to know that there are plenty of options out there. Some models like the Honda Accord and others have great reputations for reliability. However, there are also some used cars that it would be best to stay away from, no matter what kind of good deal you might find.

Fiat 500

Used Fiat cars have a fairly bad reputation for being unreliable and in constant need of repairs. This reputation is so pervasive that it led to a negative acronym using the car’s name: Fix It Again Tony. If you’re visiting used car dealerships, the Fiat car you’re most likely to run into is the Fiat 500. The models between 2012 and 2016 are arguably the worst examples of the Fiat 500 with buyers reporting clutch failure and a high number of repairs.

Volkswagen Eos

This compact convertible was discontinued in 2015, so you might not find many of these still available at used car dealerships. However, if you do run into a good deal, you still might want to pass. The Eos has a 13% probability of needing a serious repair or running into a major issue. That might not seem like a lot, but the average for compact cars in the same category is 11%. The VW Eos was known for having issues with the convertible top and power windows. Buyers also report frequent suspension issues that lead to high repair bills.

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a popular model, but used versions of the compact SUV are a mixed bag. Several model years are known for problems, including the models made between 2008 and 2014. Buyers report problems with the transmission and suspension. If you find a good deal on the Ford Escape, make sure it’s one of the more recent model years. The 2020 Ford Escape is considered one of the best years for the SUV, but you can’t go wrong with the updated 2022 model either.

Chrysler 200

The Chrysler 200 is another car with a laundry list of problems. Buyers report transmission issues, drivetrain issues, and engine issues. The 200 spanned two generations, but the worst one for problems is the first generation, which includes models from 2011 to 2014. Despite a redesign for 2016, the Chrysler 200 for that year posted a meager two out of five reliability score from JD Power, which is the lowest score any vehicle can get. Every other midsize sedan rival has a higher score.

All BMW Models

If you can get a BMW that’s only a few years old, you might be ok, but otherwise, the repair and maintenance costs on BMW models tend to be very high compared to other vehicles. The average maintenance expense for used vehicles is around $652 per year. Unfortunately, the cost for BMW vehicles is nearly twice that. The yearly average for maintenance on a used BMW is nearly $1,000. Even if you find a good deal on a used BMW, you’ll likely end up paying so much on maintenance and repairs that the money you saved on purchasing will be moot.

As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea, and there are plenty of other used cars to consider instead of the ones listed here.