Mechanic with more than 20 years experience warns beware of these six used cars

Popular mechanic Car Wizard, with more than 20 years of experience, warns us to beware of these six used cars if you’re looking to get yourself an affordable new ride.

Used cars can be a really smart move if you’re looking to buy, but only if you know what to avoid.

According to the Car Wizard, with over two decades in the trade, there are a few notorious models and engines that will leave you with repair bills bigger than the purchase price.

These are six used cars to steer clear of if you don’t want your wallet to suffer, and you don’t want to be constantly fixing your car.

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Beware of these six used cars

1. 2004–2010 Ford F-150 and Expedition – three-valve engines

According to our favorite mechanic, the two-valve versions of these Ford F-150s are fine, but the three-valve versions? A nightmare.

These trucks are infamous for cam phaser and timing chain issues, and owners often complain of a ticking noise before it all ends in catastrophic failure and fixing it isn’t cheap.

As our mechanic bluntly put it:

“You know I hate these cars.”

2. GM crossovers with the 3.6L V6 engine

He’s taking down a lot of cars in one fell swoop here: this includes the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, Saturn Outlook, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, and more.

The main problem is the 3.6-liter V6 engine, because timing chain failures are common, especially when the engine isn’t meticulously maintained.

And when it does eventually go, it’s usually an ‘engine-out’ repair costing anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.

3. Any European car with over 150,000 miles

It doesn’t matter what you own, it could be a BMW, a MINI, or even a Jaguar… but once it crosses the 150,000-mile mark on the odometer, they can quickly become a money pit.

Parts and the cost of labor add up fast, and what looks like a bargain can easily turn into a rolling bank account drainer.

As the Car Wizard put it:

“It will never finish being fixed.”

4. GM 3.1L and 3.6L V6 engines

These engines have a reputation for head gasket and intake manifold leaks, which allow oil to seep into the engine.

“They’re the most abused engines I’ve ever seen in my life,” the mechanic says, and with poor maintenance, they don’t stand a chance – repairs can easily ‘financially total’ the vehicle.

5. Trucks and SUVs with AFM or MDS – cylinder deactivation systems

The mechanic has an aversion to engines that use Active Fuel Management (AFM) or Multi-Displacement System (MDS) to shut off cylinders and save fuel, which sounds clever, until the lifters fail.

These engines include Chrysler 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter HEMI V8s as well as GM 5.3L and 6.0L Vortec V8s.

Since it’s oil-pressure operated, the system is prone to failure.

As the wonderful wizard of cars put it:

“They drop like flies.”

6. Finally, early 2000s Subarus

We all know the joke about Subarus and head gaskets, and according to this video, it’s true.

When the gasket blows, you’re looking at a $2,000-$4,000 repair bill, which is usually more than the car is worth.

They’re otherwise decent vehicles, but when the gasket goes, the party’s over.

The bottom line

Not all used cars are created equal; while some models can rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal fuss, others are repair bills waiting to happen – on wheels!

If you desperately want a 2000s Subaru, purchase at your own risk.

You have been warned.

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