The selection of a car goes beyond colour, aesthetics or the price tag. There are certain elements that one should consider that are very vital and these elements can either make or break your bank. When choosing a car, ensure it is reliable and that the repair costs do not cost an arm and a leg. In this era of fast information, social media and fake advertisements, it is wise not to fall for the flashy images that companies present, but rather to do more research on that model, because you do not want to regret your decision after finding out that repair costs are more than purchase costs of the car.
There is a group that have different opinions regarding cars, cars that you and I think are the best to have in our garage. Mechanics are clear, and since they are professionals who get their hands dirty and greasy, they understand various car models and why they are good or bad. There are 5 cars that they would never buy in 2025. This information is not our opinion, and we are only showing the results of a study made by GOBankingRates.
Let us examine the top five cars that mechanics personally avoid, along with their reasons:
Tesla: The vehicle that belongs to tech billionaire, Elon Musk
Tesla, a vehicle known to be dominating the automotive industry, especially in EVs, is said to be one of the cars you should not purchase. AOL reports that the car brand has proved to be intriguing and has gotten the attention of many buyers since its launch, and because it has the features and appearance that are desirable, it is until it needs a repair that one might start scratching their head.
According to AOL, owning a Tesla means preparing yourself to pay more for repairs than the actual amount you paid to buy the car. A 2024 Tesla Model 3 starts at nearly $41,000, as reported by AOL. Mechanics claim that Tesla is one of the most expensive vehicles to maintain and repair. The reason behind this expense is that the materials used by Tesla are unique and difficult to find.
The premium SUV, electric vehicle, Rivian
Rivian and Tesla belong to the same category, according to mechanics as reported by AOL. Rivian produces premium electric SUVs and pickup trucks from their Illinois factory. Chris Pyle, an auto mechanic and expert at JustAnswer, expressed that repairing a Rivian is as good as purchasing or making a down payment for a new car. A Rivian owner claimed that repairing the car cost him more than he expected just for minor damage.
New trucks, including Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Nissan, or Toyota
The interesting thing about these models (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Nissan, or Toyota) is that they are trusted globally. But this is why mechanics claim that they will not purchase them: The first issue is overpricing. The second issue is the loss of value; in the first five years of owning the vehicle, AOL claims that you are going to lose about 35% to 55% of the car value in the $30,000 to $50,000 price range.
The Jeep Renegade: It spends more time in the repair car lot than on the road
The 2023 Jeep Renegade received a value rating of six out of ten from Edmunds Car Review. It is also the most expensive car; however, if the purchase price was worth the features that come with the car, then it would be of value. However, nothing is fascinating about the car, and it looks like the interior and exterior do not match what we would expect a 2025 Jeep to look like.
Jeep Grand Cherokee: Poor dependability
According to AOL, you cannot depend on this vehicle. RepairPal rated it a 3.5 out of 5. There are various reasons why this vehicle is a “no-go area”: Pyle states that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is hampered by expensive repairs, early component failures due to poor manufacturing, and their excessive desire to buy the car new. Make sure to get an extended warranty if you intend to buy a new one before the current one expires.
Selecting a vehicle is a personal choice. Some of the brands above could be your favourites, or perhaps you already own one and that does not mean you should sell it or get discouraged. These are opinions from other mechanics based on their personal experience, and it is just advisable to do more research and to ensure your car does not compromise your bank account and financial status. What usually happens is that buyers are usually driven by excitement, spark and fascination without looking into the hidden repair costs. hence, Mechanics made it clear that these are the 5 cars they would never buy in 2025.