Mechanics Share Which Cars They See in the Shop the Most

Whether you buy a car fresh from the dealership or at a used car lot, you expect it to last for years before requiring repairs. Sure, you need to get regular maintenance. You probably even include those costs in your budget before you start looking seriously at vehicles. But frequent repairs? That's a whole other level of annoyance and expenses.

As part of making smart money moves for car owners, it helps to know which vehicles might end up draining your wallet more than others. We've put together a list of cars mechanics say they see the most in their shops. If nothing else, you should know what you're getting into before you finalize a purchase.

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Like most Land Rover vehicles, the Range Rover Evoque has an attractive exterior that can really grab your attention. Unfortunately, the Evoque doesn't have what it takes to remain your trusty ride.

Edmunds gives the 2026 Evoque a 7.1 out of 10, calling it "Below Average." The rating gets lower as you start exploring older versions. The 2020 model, for example, gets a rather sad 6.1 out of 10.

Edmunds gives both years a 3 out of 5 for reliability.

A mechanic with decades of experience says these vehicles experience "random engine catastrophic failure, turbos filling the engine with oil and bending the conrods, driveshaft support bearings spinning in the housing." Plus, "they are horrible engines to work on generally."

One mechanic on Reddit says, "Other than Volkswagen, there isn't really a brand I could say I'd never buy under any circumstance." That's a pretty broad statement, so we went in search of the least reliable VW. We decided drivers should never choose the Jetta.

The 2019 Jetta stands out as a particularly bad option. It has 11 safety recalls for serious issues like a faulty ignition switch that can fail mid-drive, causing the entire electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall.

Perhaps just as bad, owners report that the car will spend a lot of time in the shop. One owner says that they've had to take it in for repairs nine times within an eight-month period. Their problems included faulty sensors and engine noise that the dealership couldn't diagnose.

Exactly when do you get to drive this car?

On the one hand, the Cadillac LYRIQ gives you a lot for its price. For less than $40,000, you can get a 2023 LYRIQ that has a luxurious cabin and a 300-mile range.

On the other hand, it's very easy to find owners complaining about this electric SUV. One person calls it a Pandora's Box of issues. Cadillac has issued nine recalls since 2022. Problems run the gamut from stabilizer bar brackets coming apart and literally falling off the frame to antilock brakes that activate suddenly.

Small, frequent mechanical problems are annoying. These issues are downright hazardous.

BMW has a solid reputation among consumers, right? Well, they're nice … until they aren't.

The BMW X1 is one of those SUVs that will teach you a tough lesson about how a high price doesn't always equal reliable performance.

J.D. Power makes clear where the experts stand. Its reviewers give the 2024 BMW X1 an 81 out of 100 score for driving experience. That's really good. You will enjoy driving the BMW X1.

Those same experts give the SUV a 63 out of 100 (Fair) for reliability. Do you really want to spend more than $45,000 on a BMW that's just fair?

If you really want to buy a used BMW, make sure it has been taken care of. One auto tech on Reddit said, "Stay away from European cars (BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi, SAAB). What I see with them is mostly previous owner neglect. Sludged motors, cracking vacuum hoses, worn out brakes and struts, expensive parts and repairs."

Here's another car that consumers tend to like, but mechanics and other experts have different feelings. The 2025 Mazda CX-90 gets a Fair reliability rating from J.D. Power. Unlike the BMW X1, though, it doesn't even offer a very fun ride. It's just Average. Again, that's the word from J.D. Power.

What about recalls? The 2024 model has already had 11 of them. Some of those recalls are for minor annoyances, such as a malfunctioning fuel gauge. Others are for much bigger problems, such as an engine that turns itself off, putting you in danger of a crash.

What happens when you take it to a mechanic? They will hate the experience because so much of what's under the hood is positioned in ways that almost resist repair. Just changing the timing chain requires removing the entire engine.

Hard pass.

The Dodge Hornet isn't exactly the most popular car on this list. There are plenty of reasons why, starting with its 66 out of 100 (Fair) rating from J.D. Power.

It also doesn't help that Dodge manufactures the Hornet right alongside the Alfa Romeo Tonale, another crossover SUV dud.

The Tonale and the Hornet are essentially the same vehicle with different branding. Because of that, they have both had six safety recalls since 2023. Some of these recalls are very important, too. For example, the 2024 model's brake pedal can collapse, making it impossible to brake.

Let's end with the Jeep Wrangler. Considering that Edmunds gives it a 5.5 out of 10 Below Average rating, it deserves to sit at the bottom.

New Wranglers haven't had any recalls, but they really add up as you move back in time. The 2018 model, for instance, has nine safety recalls.

As one auto tech said on Reddit, "I would have to say Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep are the worst new or used. Constant electrical problems due to their genius idea of a Totally Integrated Power Module, basically it's the fuse block under the hood with non-replaceable relays."

Assume this quote applies to the Dodge Hornet, too.

Owning an unreliable car is often dangerous, annoying, and expensive. Even when they look fancy, they're not worth buying at any price.

Now that you know some of the cars mechanics are most likely to avoid, you could now try to find a cheaper auto insurance policy. Picking a reliable vehicle and the right coverage can be a win-win for your wallet.