I’m a Mechanic: These Are the 5 Cars I Would Never Buy in 2025
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Not all cars are reliable. Some vehicles have high maintenance costs and persistent mechanical issues. Even if they have the most attractive designs, it’s best to avoid such cars if you don’t want to drain your wallet.
Alan Gelfand, a mechanic and owner of German Car Depot, shared five cars he would never buy in 2025 because they’re expensive to maintain and are prone to mechanical problems.
Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 has been out of production since 2017, but preowned vehicles are still available for purchase.
“They end up being expensive to maintain,” Gelfand said. Besides being costly to service, Gelfand also noted that the Chrysler 200 has poor transmission quality, electrical system issues and uncomfortable driving dynamics. “The 9-speed automatic transmission is notorious for jerky shifting and premature failure,” he said.
Nissan Altima (2013-2020)
This midsize sedan has a luxurious look but has a major continuously variable transmission (CVT) issue, which can be costly to replace.
“I would never purchase this vehicle because the CVT is its major flaw,” Gelfand said. “We have had to replace numerous Altima transmissions because they tend to fail at approximately 60,000 miles.”
Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade may appeal to many people because it’s a compact SUV, but Gelfand said it’s one of the most unreliable cars.
“The vehicle presents itself as modern, yet it experiences multiple electrical breakdowns while its driving comfort remains poor,” he said. “It will experience powertrain lights and shifting issues and connectivity problems that will require frequent visits to the shop.”
Range Rover Evoque
This luxury compact SUV’s sleek design looks attractive in many ways. However, the Range Rover Evoque will let you visit the repair shop regularly.
“It looks stylish yet lacks reliability. We have observed engine oil leaks together with transmission problems and total electrical shutdowns, which occur frequently below 80,000 miles,” Gelfand said.
Chevrolet Spark
While the Chevrolet Spark is an affordable car, it’s not worth the price.
“The vehicle demonstrates low construction quality together with high noise levels and weak engine performance,” Gelfand said. Rather than settling for this vehicle, Gelfand recommended a used Honda or Toyota since these models cost less and offer better durability.
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