Used cars to avoid in 2025 — mechanic's warning

"Popular" doesn't always mean "reliable," especially when it comes to buying a used car. Not all famous cars are created equal, and some may have hidden problems that lead to expensive repairs, poor performance, or low resale value.

Joe Giranda, CFR Classic's director of sales and marketing, spoke to GOBankingRates about the best-selling cars that aren't worth the wait.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011–2014)

"Though quite well-known, these Grand Cherokees suffer from advanced transmission complications and engine trouble," Giranda said.

He also noted that the car has many electrical faults, which are common in models manufactured between 2011 and 2014.

"Hence, I recommend avoiding the added stress of their sketchy reliability," the mechanic summarized.

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Nissan Juke (2011–2017)

The crossover has an unconventional design but is hardly functional for road use.

"The CVT transmission of the Juke is a well-known flaw, with the potential for expensive repairs down the road. To make matters worse, limited headroom coupled with below-average resale value makes ownership far from worthwhile," Giranda noted.

Smart ForTwo (2008–2015)

"The ForTwo is a breeze to park due to its small dimensions. Still, it remains an impractical option due to slow acceleration, a lack of safety features and an overall rough ride," the mechanic emphasized.

Giranda called the high cost of maintenance another reason to ignore this car.

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Used cars that aren't worth buying in 2025