Six car types that dealerships avoid due to costs includes 12 specific Ford models
Car dealers have lifted the bonnet on the used motors that they tend to avoid because either the engines and gearboxes are 'unreliable' or 'too expensive to repair'.
Industry experts told Car Dealer Magazine that certain cars, in their experience, can be a bad investment for both dealers and buyers.
Also speaking to Warrantywise, the UK-based provider of extended car warranties admitted that there are a variety of whips that aren't worth the hefty repair costs.
Ford EcoBoost
At the top of the warning list is Ford’s EcoBoost engine, fitted to models including the Fiesta, Focus and B-Max. The engine uses a controversial 'wet belt' system, where the timing belt runs through engine oil instead of operating dry. Mechanics claim the belts can deteriorate over time, potentially causing catastrophic engine damage.
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Car YouTuber Lee Grant described wet belts as 'notorious for going wrong', while Warrantywise estimated the average EcoBoost repair bill at around £3,141.
Ford told The Sun that it is 'confident in the robustness and reliability of its EcoBoost engine technology when the stated guidelines for maintenance and service are followed'.
Mazda 2.2d
Mazda’s 2.2-litre diesel engine was another major concern. Found in the Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and CX-5, it has reportedly suffered from stretched timing chains, leaking injectors and clogged systems.
James Harding, of Chops Garage, said: "I love Mazda stuff. I find it, as a general rule, bulletproof reliable – but those Mazda 2.2s, my God, do they have issues.
"I’ve never seen engines that manage to coke themselves up as much as those Mazda 2.2s and that will throw an array of different warnings."
PureTech engines
These cars, found in Peugeots, Citroëns and Vauxhalls, also tend to suffer from wet belt, with Warrantywise claiming that the failure rate on these engines is 31 percent more likely than the average car.
They noted that repair costs can be as much as £2,152.
Shifting Metal presenter and car dealer Joe Betty said: "They’ve got a plethora of problems. From the wet belt system, which either breaks or clogs the oil pickup and starves your engine of oil, completely ruining it, to the fact that this thing uses an absolute ton of oil.
"They’re a nightmare, and they’re probably going to come back and bite you."
Ford PowerShift gearboxes
Ford’s PowerShift automatic transmission — fitted to some Ford and Volvo models — was criticised for jerky changes, slipping and costly failures. Experts said repairs can easily exceed £2,300.
Theo Cook, of Bowen’s Garage and YouTube channel Ted Torques, said: "The Ford PowerShift automatic gearbox has to be one of the worst gearboxes ever invented in all of human history.
"A terrible gearbox that has no longevity, is extremely expensive to repair and causes a huge amount of problems."
CVT gearboxes
CVT automatic gearboxes, used by several manufacturers including Toyota, were also described as fragile and expensive. Although smooth to drive, dealers warned they can be difficult to repair and costly to replace, with average bills nearing £3,000.
JLR Ingenium engines
Finally, Jaguar Land Rover’s 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine was labelled the biggest risk of all. Dealers claimed timing chain issues and internal failures can appear without warning. Warrantywise data suggested these engines are more than 160 per cent more likely to fail than average, with repair costs exceeding £5,200.
Umesh Samani, chairman of the IMDA and a used car dealer, said: "The one on my list, the number one that I won’t buy, has got to be, sadly, the Land Rover Ingenium engine: the 2.0-litre diesel Ingenium. They just fall to bits for no apparent reason."
A spokesperson for JLR UK told The Sun: “Quality across the entire client ownership experience is a priority for JLR. Independent data shows that our overall vehicle quality is its strongest to date, and we continue to drive further improvements.
“JLR is committed to delivering the highest standards of quality and we work with a network of partners to deliver support and services reflective of our brands.
“In doing so, our clients are fully supported with warranties and service plans that protect them throughout ownership.
“Any clients with questions or concerns about their vehicle should contact their retailer or authorised repairer for support.”
LADbible Group has contacted the manufacturers for comment.
Anish Vij