Five used cars you shouldn't buy

Five used cars you shouldn't buy

Buying a used car can be a smart move if you want a reliable car at an affordable price. However, some used cars could be better investments. Buying some of these cars means you may have transmission issues, questionable build quality, or a higher likelihood of neglect.

Avoid buying these five used cars:

Fiat 500

Used Fiats have become such an unfortunate purchase among car buyers that the car has its undesirable acronym: Fix It Again Tony. Over the years, Fiat has been in the U.S. Reliability and quality ratings from industry sources such as Consumer Reports and J.D. Power were lower than expected.

If you're shopping for a used Fiat, Leland Jones, founder and CEO of Ceramic King Coatings, advises staying away from any Fiat 500 from 2012 through 2016. Jones said buyers may experience clutch failure—high repair costs- among other issues.

Ford Escape

Buyers who see a used Ford Escape for sale may want to keep looking.

Joe Granda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic, said used Ford Escapes suffer from transmission problems such as shuddering and vibration. Another major problem with these used cars is the suspension system, which needs frequent maintenance.

Volkswagen Eos

Even after Volkswagen discontinued it in 2015, the Volkswagen Eos is one of the worst used convertibles to buy.

"It is prone to mechanical problems, especially with its power windows and convertible top mechanisms, which results in high repair costs," Geranda said. "Owners also reported frequent suspension issues."

Chrysler 200

According to Cars.com, Chrysler has recalled some 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles. Some reasons for this model's recall include electrical system wiring issues and power outages. Jones adds that these used vehicles suffer from engine and cruise control problems.

BMW

You may feel like you can impress everyone with a used or pre-owned BMW, but Jones doesn't recommend buying that used car regardless of its year.

"The cost of those vehicles tends to be crazy," Jones said. "There is a high cost of maintenance and repair expenses going through the roof. Not to mention if you want an extended service contract. In my experience, they bring case after case."