I’m a Mechanic: 5 Electric Vehicles I Would Never Buy and Why They Aren’t Worth It
Written by
Jamela Adam
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Though electric vehicles have been around for a while, they became all the rage when Tesla transformed EVs from niche products into desirable mainstream vehicles. However, just because a car is electric and good for the environment doesn’t mean it’s always a solid purchase to put your money behind. Some EVs come with pretty serious flaws that could make them a headache to drive.
To get an expert’s perspective, GOBankingRates spoke with Mateo, a car mechanic with over ten years of experience. Here below are five EVs he would never buy and why.
Also, keep in mind that President Trump said he wants to end the EV tax credit, which is bound to have an impact on EV owners’ wallets.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf (2011 to 2017) was one of the first mainstream EVs, but Mateo warns that the older models have a pretty big issue: batteries that degrade quickly.
“These early Leaf models don’t have an active thermal management system for the battery, which means they lose range much faster than other EVs,” he explained. “I’ve seen owners complain that their range drops by half within a few years.”
Also, because battery replacements for the Leaf can cost thousands of dollars, it’s not a smart choice if you’re looking for an electric vehicle that you can drive for years to come.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevy Bolt EV (2017 to 2022) is another electric vehicle that many people go for since it’s affordable, but it has some potentially dangerous battery issues.
“The biggest problem I’ve seen with the Chevy Bolt EV is the battery recall,” Mateo said. “There have been cases of these cars catching fire due to faulty battery packs.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2021, all Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles were recalled due to the risk of the high-voltage battery pack catching fire.
Tesla Model S
Tesla is one of the biggest names in the EV industry, but not all of its models are worth your hard-earned coins. According to Mateo, the early versions of the Model S (2012 to 2016) come with serious maintenance concerns.
“The first-gen Model S has a lot of problems. For example, door handle failures and touchscreen issues,” he said. “But the worst part is the air suspension and drivetrain issues, which can be insanely expensive to fix.”
If you really want to buy a Tesla, Mateo recommended sticking with newer models that generally have better build quality and reliability.
BMW i3
The BMW i3 (2014 to 2021) was marketed as a futuristic and compact EV, but Mateo believes it’s one of the worst electric cars to buy.
“The i3 has a relatively small battery and limited range and the maintenance costs are high because it uses a lot of carbon fiber in its construction,” he explained. “Plus, BMW parts and labor aren’t cheap.”
So unless you’re looking for a car that you’ll only use to drive short distances and don’t mind the high repair costs, Mateo suggested skipping this one.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace (2019 to Present) is positioned as a luxurious EV that promises high performance, which is why it’s relatively expensive. But Mateo believes it’s not worth spending $70k on this car brand since it has some reliability concerns.
“This car has had software glitches, charging issues and battery problems,” he said. “It’s a nightmare when it comes to repairs because Jaguar dealerships don’t always have the right parts or technicians trained for EVs.”
Plus, the I-Pace’s resale value has gone down quite a bit, which means you could lose a lot of money in the long run.
“The EV technology is improving, but not every car is worth the investment,” Mateo said. If you’re in the market for one, make sure to research each car’s reliability, battery performance and repair costs before making a purchase.
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