If you are considering getting a new vehicle this year, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the hundreds of different options. And when it comes to purchasing a new car, there are many things to consider. But one thing that shouldn’t be a factor when choosing your next set of wheels is the brand. Unfortunately, not all brands are created equal; some are worse than others. This post will take a look at the worst car brands to purchase and why you should avoid them at all costs!
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Volkswagen
It’s no secret that Volkswagen was embroiled in scandals over the past few years. The company admitted to cheating on emissions tests, and as a result, many of its cars are now subject to recall and repairs. In addition, Volkswagen has been accused of using unethical business practices, such as offering kickbacks to dealerships.
As a result of all this, Volkswagen has become one of the worst car brands to buy. Not only are its cars less reliable than ever before, but the company has also lost the trust of its customers. If you’re in the market for a new car, you would be better off choosing almost any other brand.
Jeep
Jeep is one of the worst car brands to buy for a number of reasons. First, their vehicles are notoriously unreliable. According to Consumer Reports, Jeep was one of the least reliable car brands in 2020, with one model getting a reliability score of just 19 out of 100. This means Jeep owners can expect their vehicles to experience multiple yearly problems, ranging from small annoyances to major repairs. Second, Jeep vehicles are also very expensive to maintain.
Not only do they require frequent repairs, but they also have high insurance rates and fuel costs. Finally, Jeep vehicles are not particularly safe. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given Jeep models some of the lowest safety ratings in recent years. For all these reasons, it’s best to steer clear of Jeep when shopping for a new car.
Mini Cooper
Mini Coopers are known for being small, fuel-efficient cars. However, they also have a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to repair. In fact, Mini Coopers rank near the bottom of many lists of the most reliable car brands. Part of the reason for this is that Mini Coopers are often subject to recalls. In the past few years, Mini Cooper has issued recalls for a variety of issues, ranging from airbag problems to steering issues.
In addition, Mini Cooper cars are often expensive to maintain. For example, replacing the timing belt on a Mini Cooper can cost upwards of $500. As a result, Mini Cooper is generally not considered to be a good value for the money. If you’re looking for a small car, there are better options out there than a Mini Cooper.
Volvo
Volvo has long been considered one of the safest car brands on the market. However, in recent years, the Swedish automaker has been plagued by quality issues, earning it a spot on Consumer Reports’ list of worst car brands to buy. Some of the most common problems include electrical issues, engine failure, and transmission problems.
Furthermore, Volvo cars have been known to have reliability problems, with many owners reporting frequent breakdowns and expensive repairs. As a result, it’s no surprise that Volvo has been ranked as one of the worst car brands to buy by Consumer Reports. If you’re in the market for a new car, you might want to consider other options.
Lincoln
If you are thinking about buying a Lincoln, your hard-earned money might be better spent elsewhere. The company has a history of producing low-quality vehicles. In recent years, Lincoln has been plagued by recalls and customer satisfaction issues. Second, Lincoln vehicles are generally overpriced compared to similar models from other brands. For example, the Lincoln MKZ is priced significantly higher than the Ford Fusion, even though they share many of the same features and components.
Finally, Lincoln dealerships have a reputation for being pushy and unprofessional. Many customers have reported being pressured into buying unnecessary add-ons and extended warranties. So as you can see, there are many good reasons to avoid Lincoln when shopping for a new car.
Mercedes-Benz
In just the past few years, Mercedes-Benz has been forced to recall models for a variety of issues, including faulty airbags, engine fires, and fuel leaks. In addition, the company’s customer service ranks dead last among all car brands, according to Consumer Reports. If you have a problem with your Mercedes-Benz, good luck getting it fixed in a timely manner.
Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz cars are some of the most expensive on the market, and they depreciate quickly. So, if you’re looking for a luxury car that will hold its value over time, Mercedes-Benz is not the brand for you. Finally, Mercedes-Benz cars are notorious for being difficult to repair. Many independent mechanics refuse to work on them, and even those who do often charge exorbitant rates. All in all, there are plenty of good reasons to steer clear of Mercedes-Benz when car shopping.
Ram
If you’re in the market for a new car, you might want to steer clear of Ram. In recent years, the brand has consistently ranked near the bottom of reliability surveys conducted by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. In fact, Ram was the only brand to receive a “worse than average” rating in J.D. Power’s 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study. So what’s behind all these reliability issues? According to Consumer Reports, much of the blame lies with Fiat Chrysler’s poor build quality.
Fiat Chrysler vehicles are often plagued by electrical problems, fuel leaks, and engine fires, and Ram models are no exception. Even worse, Fiat Chrysler has been notoriously slow to address these issues; issuing recalls long after drivers have reported problems with their cars. So before you hop behind the wheel of one of these trucks, you might want to think twice.
GMC
There are many reasons why GMC is one of the worst car brands to buy. One reason is that the company has a history of recalls. In fact, GMC was the subject of the largest recall in U.S. history in 2014. The recall affected over 30 million vehicles and was caused by a faulty ignition switch that could cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly. This defect led to many accidents and even some deaths.
Another reason to avoid GMC is that the company’s customer service is notoriously poor. In 2015, GMC was ranked as the worst automaker in terms of customer satisfaction. Finally, GMC cars are simply not very reliable. In 2016, GMC was ranked as the second-worst brand in terms of reliability by Consumer Reports. Considering all of these factors, it’s clear that GMC is not a good choice for anyone looking for a new car.
Some Brands Just Aren’t Worth It!
As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to avoid certain car brands when shopping for a new vehicle. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable car, you’ll be better off avoiding the brands on this list. Do your research and shop around before making your final decision, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect car for you.
As a bit of a disclaimer, it should be noted that many of the brands on this list are owned by larger companies. So, while avoiding buying a GMC, you might still be able to find a quality car from another brand under the GM umbrella. The same goes for Fiat Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz. Just make an informed decision and be sure to steer clear of these problematic brands. And while all these brands may have issues, plenty of people drive them daily without any problems.
