TOP 10 least reliable second-hand cars in 2024

After showing you TOP 10 best used cars, here are the cars you should avoid so that you don’t end up spending more time in the repair shop than on the road.

Warrantywise, the UK leader in post-sale warranty provision, analyzed failure data to bring you a list of the least reliable cars. This data includes thousands of failures, car issues, the age and mileage of each car, as well as repair costs and durations.

To ensure the relevance of the sample, cars with fewer than 100 warranty plans and certain types of vehicles, such as vans, were excluded. All models in the Warrantywise data are less than 10 years old and are no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Based on this information, Warrantywise created a reliability index that gives each car a score out of 100. The lower the score, the less reliable the car.

Here are the cars with the lowest scores. Let’s hope your car isn’t on this list.

10th Place: Range Rover Sport (previous generation)

Reliability score: 34.6/100

The problematic suspension of the Range Rover Sport might have you rushing straight to your mechanic. The average repair cost was €2,670, but one unlucky person paid around €15,500 for an engine failure. If you’ve experienced such an issue, it might be time to say goodbye to off-roading and stick to smoother roads.

9th Place: SEAT Leon Cupra and Audi A7

Reliability score: 33.4/100

Both the SEAT Leon Cupra and Audi A7, registered between 2014 and early 2022, earned the same reliability score. The SEAT Leon Cupra faced cooling issues, while the Audi A7 had problems with the emissions control system. The average repair cost was €1,200 for the SEAT and €2,700 for the Audi. The most expensive repairs were €4,680 for an engine failure in the SEAT, and a whopping €37,500 for an engine failure in the A7. While repair costs vary, the SEAT Leon Cupra had more frequent issues compared to the Audi A7.

8th Place: Audi RS3 (previous generation)

Reliability score: 32.1/100

The most common issues were related to the gearbox, with an average repair cost of approximately €3,500. In an extreme case, repairing a gearbox cost €11,150. It seems the hard launches of past RS3 models took a toll on the gearboxes. Audi addressed these issues in recent models, which have more progressive launches that are less damaging to mechanical components.

7th Place: Audi RS6 (early C7 and C8 models)

Reliability score: 30.3/100

Audi hasn’t had much luck so far, has it? The most frequent problems were electrical in nature, with an average repair cost of €2,400. Ironically, the most expensive repair was brake-related, costing €21,800, likely for carbon ceramic brakes.

6th Place: Tesla Model S

Reliability score: 25.9/100

You probably expected to see a Tesla on this list, didn’t you? The Tesla Model S ranks 6th due to frequent electrical problems. The average repair cost was €1,500, but a major battery issue cost Warrantywise nearly €12,000. Tesla offers an impressive 8-year or 150,000-mile warranty on the battery and drive units for new models, suggesting that the car evaluated was older. Despite this, the Tesla Model S scored only 25.9 out of 100, making it the least reliable large luxury car on this list, though not the least reliable electric car. It seems being eco-friendly comes at a price.

5th Place: Maserati Levante

Reliability score: 25.3/100

In 5th place is an Italian car that lives up to stereotypes: the Maserati Levante. With a reputation for poor reliability, the Maserati Levante is no exception. Oddly enough, there is no specific common issue, but a wide range of problems, and repair costs are quite high. The average repair cost was nearly €3,500, but one repair cost €32,700 for an engine failure. Ouch!

4th Place: Tesla Model X

Reliability score: 24.6/100

In 4th place is another Tesla, the Model X, which is considered the least reliable electric car on this list, according to Warrantywise. The most frequent problems were not electrical or related to the complex Falcon Wing doors, but rather with the suspension. The average repair cost was €1,380, but a severe suspension issue cost €5,500. Why is the Model X considered less reliable than the Maserati Levante, despite lower repair costs? Because there’s a higher chance of a Tesla experiencing issues compared to a Maserati, which contributed to its low score of 24.6/100.

3rd Place: BMW M3

Reliability score: 24/100

In 3rd place is the BMW M3. This means the M3 is also the least reliable small sports car. Common issues are related to the twin-turbocharged S55 engine, contributing to an average repair cost of €2,870. The gearbox hasn’t proven to be very reliable either, with Warrantywise paying around €14,200 for a transmission failure.

2nd Place: Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover

Reliability score: 22.1/100

In 2nd place are the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover, specifically the Discovery 4 and 5 models and the previous generation Range Rover. These cars earned a reliability score of 22.1 in the Warrantywise index. The Discovery is the least reliable seven-seater on this list, and both models rank as the least reliable large SUVs. Common issues were electrical in nature, with average repair costs of nearly €2,400 for the Discovery and €2,150 for the Range Rover. The most expensive repairs were €30,100 for a Discovery engine failure and €30,600 for a Range Rover engine failure.

1st Place: BMW i8

Reliability score: 16.5/100

And now, with a drumroll, the least reliable car according to Warrantywise: the BMW i8. It scored only 16.5 out of 100, making it not just the least reliable sports car, but also the least reliable car overall. The most common issues were related to the hybrid electric system, with an average repair cost of €2,350. The internal combustion engine wasn’t problem-free either, with the most expensive repair being €8,840 for the fuel system. The high frequency of breakdowns contributed to this low score.

Conclusion

Choosing a second-hand car can be a challenge, especially when it comes to reliability. While the models mentioned are known for their problems, this doesn’t necessarily mean they should be avoided at all costs. It’s important to stay informed and consider maintenance and repair costs when making a purchase. Maybe your next car should be one that offers the perfect balance between performance and reliability.