Mechanic Reveals Blacklist: 8 Cars You Should Never Buy

Looks can be deceiving, and repairs can get ugly fast. Here’s his caution list, car by car.

“Not Worth the Headache”

Veteran U.S. mechanic Chris Pyle, known for dishing out brutally honest car advice, has revealed a list of cars he would never buy, and thinks you shouldn’t either.

From flashy electric vehicles to small city cars and even pickups, his warning?

1. Tesla: Sleek Design, Shocking Repair Bills

Elon Musk’s flagship cars might be cutting-edge, but Pyle warns that Tesla repairs are astronomically expensive.

With average repair costs nearing $5,500, proprietary parts, and limited service access, one battery issue can wipe out your savings.

Worse yet? Tesla sometimes ignores consumer dispute rulings, especially in smaller markets.

2. Rivian: Flashy Trucks, €40,000 Repairs

Rivian’s electric pickups and SUVs look tough, but they’re extremely costly to fix, says Pyle.

Some service jobs have reportedly cost up to €40,000 due to complex design and limited parts.

Pyle calls it a “cautionary tale” for buyers tempted by new, untested car brands.

3. New Pickup Trucks: Instant Value Loss

Pyle urges buyers to skip brand-new pickups from Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Nissan, and Toyota.

His reason? Massive depreciation. “You’ll lose 35–55% of the car’s value in just five years,” he says. If you really want a pickup, buy lightly used, after the steepest value drop.

4. Jeep Renegade: Flawed Frame, Pricey Problems

Cute and compact, the Jeep Renegade shares a platform with the Fiat 500, and that’s not a compliment.

Pyle says this chassis design leads to frequent repairs and isn’t worth the sticker price. “You’re not getting what you pay for,” he warns.

5. Fiat 500: Too Fragile, Too Expensive

The Fiat 500 suffers from similar issues as the Renegade, weak structural design and poor reliability.

Despite its trendy look, Pyle says it’s overpriced for the features it delivers and has a habit of racking up maintenance bills.

6. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Built-In Breakdowns

Pyle also slams the Jeep Grand Cherokee, citing premature part failures and high repair costs.

Though it’s marketed as a premium SUV, he claims it suffers from poor manufacturing quality.

If you do buy one, he strongly recommends an extended warranty.

7. Ford Fiesta: Transmission Trouble on Four Wheels

The Ford Fiesta’s PowerShift dual-clutch transmission has landed the company in multiple lawsuits.

Pyle says DCTs are notoriously difficult to repair, and many shops won’t even take them. This small hatchback comes with big mechanical risks.

8. Nissan Models with CVTs: A Risky Ride

Many Nissan models use continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and Pyle warns they’re prone to delays, vibrations, and safety issues.

Drivers in the U.S. have filed complaints about sudden acceleration lags that could cause accidents.

These transmissions are also expensive to fix, and hard to find shops that will.