What used cars to avoid in India?

25 most unreliable cars

While some cars remain dependable as years pass, others are afflicted with a wide range of faults. Here we take a look at the worst offenders up to five years old.

Updated 18 April 2022

One in five of the cars owners told us about in our 2021 Reliability Survey suffered at least one fault. And while that means the odds of getting something dependable are in your favour, there are plenty of models that greatly increase the chances of your repair bills racking up quicker than you can ask a passenger whether they heard a strange noise.

Here, then, we’re going to do our best to help you avoid such a fate, by counting down the 25 worst performers in our survey. Our scores take into account the number of faults, the cost of repairs and how long vehicles were off the road.

​​The 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey is now open. Tell us about your car for the chance to win a great prize in one of our monthly draws >>

25. Vauxhall Mokka X (2016-2019)

Reliability rating: 87.3%

A worrying 44% of Mokka Xs developed a fault, most commonly with either the air-con or the sat-nav system. Eighty per cent of cars could still be driven, but it took more than a week to fix the 20% that broke down, as well as 10% of those that didn’t. Furthermore, only 60% of work was done for free, leaving most owners with bills of up to £200, while 10% of owners were billed between £1001 and £1500.

=23. Nissan Qashqai diesel (2014-2020)

Reliability rating: 86.6%

The previous-generation diesel Qashqai comes out with a score 4.1% lower than petrol-powered versions, thanks to a 38% fault rate. Most problems were the result of battery failure, but the bodywork was also problematic for many. Thirty per cent of cars couldn’t be driven as a result, but all these were fixed within a week, and only 10% of cars took longer to repair.

However, 30% of owners had to pay for repair work, with 10% paying between £51 and £100, and 15% paying between £101 and £200. The remaining 5% were billed between £301 and £500.

=23. Vauxhall Astra (2015-present)

Reliability rating: 86.6%

Thirty-two per cent of Astras went wrong, mostly due to faulty non-engine electrics. There were also complaints about the battery, engine, gearbox/clutch and the interior trim.

Eleven per cent of cars couldn’t be driven because of their faults, but a dreadful 67% took more than a week to be fixed. Even worse, 6% of owners had to pay more than £1500 – rubbing salt in the wound.

22. Jaguar I-Pace (2018-present)

Reliability rating: 86.3%

The Jaguar I-Pace has the lowest reliability score of all the electric cars in our survey, with 30% of cars going wrong. Most owners ran into issues with the 12-volt battery, sat-nav and non-motor electrics, and 45% of faults were severe enough to cause a breakdown and take more than a week to repair.

Shockingly, 75% of all faulty I-Paces took more than a week to fix, at great inconvenience to owners. It’s fortunate that every issue was repaired under warranty – bills would have added insult to injury.

21. Audi A6 (2018-present)

Reliability rating: 85.3%

Forty-seven per cent of A6s went wrong, thanks in large part to problems with the electrical systems – both related to the engine and otherwise – and the bodywork. The engine and sat-nav were also common areas of concern. Only 4% of cars were rendered undriveable by their faults, but 37% of cars suffered severe glitches that took longer than a week to repair. Most repairs were covered under warranty, but 7% of owners were left with a bill between £201 and £300.

20. Peugeot 3008 diesel (2017-present)

Reliability rating: 85.2%

While only 28% of 3008 diesel owners ran into issues, most commonly with the suspension, battery, or brakes, it’s the time and cost of repairs that lets the car down. Sixty per cent of cars suffered serious faults that required more than a week to fix, and 13% of owners were charged. Half paid between £101 and £200, while the other half paid shocking bills of between £751 and £1000.

19. Mercedes A-Class (2018-present)

Reliability rating: 84.8%

Once one of the top scoring family cars in our 2020 survey, the Mercedes A-Class’s rating deteriorated significantly with the introduction of a new model. The current version is this year’s least reliable family car, with 31% going wrong.

Most of the affected cars encountered issues with faulty non-engine electrics, but the interior trim and air-con were also cited as problematic, which is disappointing from a premium brand. The service wasn’t great either: 36% of owners had to wait more than a week for repairs, 8% were billed between £501 and £750, and 3% had to pay more than £1500 to get their cars working again.

18. Fiat Abarth 124 Spider (2016-2019)

Reliability rating: 84.5%

Thirty-three per cent of 124 Spiders ran into issues, with electrical bugs forming the majority of problems, followed by bodywork and engine woes. Service was mixed: 46% of cars were repaired within a week, but 36% took longer, indicating a severe fault. Costs were at least kept low, with 91% of repairs carried out for free. As for the remaining 9%, nobody paid more than £200, but those bills soon rack up over years of ownership.

17. Nissan Juke petrol (2010-2019)

Reliability rating: 83.8%

Unconventional styling made the original Nissan Juke something of a Marmite car in its time – you either loved or loathed it – and if you pick a petrol-engined model you’re more likely to be one of the haters. Thirty-seven per cent of petrol-engined Jukes had a fault, most commonly with the battery or bodywork, but the engine and suspension were also problem areas.

Most (79%) repair work was done for free, but 7% of owners paid up to £50, another 7% between £101 and £200, and the remaining 7% saw bills as high as £750. While no cars broke down because of any issues, the Juke’s record was further tarnished by the fact that 36% of owners waited more than a week for their car to be repaired.

Which year models of used Ford EcoSport to avoid

CoPilot Compare breaks down pricing and feature differences between Ford EcoSport years so you can find the sweet spot between value AND reliability.

*Ford EcoSport by Vauxford — CC BY*

Crafted initially by Ford Brazil in 2003, the Ford EcoSport is a 5-door SUV given a significant update when it entered the North American market in 2018. Improvements included an overhaul of the front end design and the rear bumper and the addition of a touchscreen infotainment system.

Unfortunately, Ford has announced that it will discontinue its EcoSport production in 2022.

At CoPilot, we’re here to help you navigate the many different used year models of the Ford EcoSport you might find. Some are certainly more reliable than others, and we’ll help you figure out which models would make the best buy!

Quick Answer: Avoid Ford EcoSport Year Models 2014 and 2018

If you’re in the market for a used Ford EcoSport, avoid models from 2014 and 2018. The 2014 year model has had the most complaints of any year model, including an unreliable audio system and a problem with the car shuddering when you come to a stop. These problems can come into fruition at mileages as low as 5,000 miles.

The 2018 Ford EcoSport had fewer complaints than the 2014 model but would be an even worse purchase because the problems are more severe. Appearing at an average of 10,000 miles, customers have reported that their brakes screech or lock up on them and that the doors refuse to lock when it’s raining. These safety-related issues make this year’s model worth skipping.

OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED

You won’t realize how outdated other car searching apps are until you try the CoPilot car shopping app. CoPilot does the hard work for you by searching all of the listings in your area and intelligently creating a personalized list of the best buys in the area that match what you’re looking for.

Which Year Models of Ford EcoSport are Safe to Buy Used?

The Ford EcoSport is a reliable subcompact crossover SUV that can give whole families a comfortable ride. With that said, you want to make sure that you buy the suitable year model to ensure there aren’t any safety issues with the car.

These year models have been reported for having the fewest defects, and we recommend purchasing them. It’s worth noting, however, that all year models of the Ford EcoSport have been reported to have poor MPG, so this is something to look out for if that plays a massive role in your decision.

• 2012 Ford EcoSport
• 2013 Ford EcoSport
• 2015 Ford EcoSport
• 2016 Ford EcoSport
• 2017 Ford EcoSport
• 2019 Ford EcoSport
• 2020 Ford EcoSport

Despite complaints about the car’s low MPG, most used Ford EcoSport year models will serve you right. The best purchases would be the 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2020 Ford EcoSports, which have no complaints, so you can’t go wrong with any of these.

The 2013 and 2019 also have minimal complaints, and the 2019’s biggest reported flaw is its low MPG, which is present in every year model. The 2015 year model has a few complaints, but these are minor defects that shouldn’t present much trouble to you, such as a finicky transmission and rough seats.

THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000

We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look — some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.

Which Year Models of Ford EcoSport to Avoid:

Though most Ford EcoSport year models are reliable, they have problems arising early in their life cycle. We do not recommend purchasing these due to their higher number of issues than other year models.

• 2014 Ford EcoSport
• 2018 Ford EcoSport

The 2014 Ford EcoSport’s issues shouldn’t present danger to the passengers, but they still crop up early. Typical problems with this model year are the car shuddering when it comes to a stop, audio system failure, and uneven braking. The average mileage at which these might affect you is around 20,000 miles.

We don’t recommend you purchase the 2018 Ford EcoSport either. Though it has had fewer complaints than the 2014 year model, these are more likely to threaten your safety. At an average of about 15,000 miles, customers reported having trouble with brakes that screech or lock up. Furthermore, there have been multiple complaints about the doors not locking when it rains.

Common Ford EcoSport Problems

Unfortunately, Ford has announced that it will discontinue its EcoSport lineup in 2022. At this point, consumers wanting to buy Ford’s smallest SUV will have to buy it used. This highlights the importance for would-be owners to know the common Ford EcoSport problems.

• Noisy/grinding brake pads — Several owners said they could hear grinding noises coming from the EcoSport brakes, particularly common with the 2018 model. Potential causes include low-quality/damaged brake pads and worn brake rotors. The frustration level only mounted up for owners of relatively new vehicles.
• Jerky transmission — Another common complaint about the EcoSport is its jerky transmission, especially when coming from a stop. This led to issues with gear changes and acceleration. Possible causes are low transmission fluid, a faulty solenoid, and worn transmission bands. The most common fix is to replace the transmission altogether.
• Doors won’t lock — A few users said that EcoSport doors wouldn’t lock whenever it’s raining or wet or during the colder months. Some drivers ended up manually locking the vehicle from inside the car or from the fob key. This issue can range from annoying to downright dangerous. Potential causes include faulty lock actuators, a blown fuse, or a bad lock relay switch.

THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET

When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.

Ford EcoSport Problem Counts by Year

These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, Car Talk Community, and carcomplaints.com. Commonly found issues in the Ford EcoSport include sticky brakes, shuddering issues, and a low MPG.

The easiest way to find a reliable Ford EcoSport in your area

For the easiest way to find reliable Ford Ecosports in your area, download the free CoPIlot car shopping app. We’ll search every dealership in your area for the 5-door SUV you’re looking for and make a list, personal to you, of the best purchases near you.

CoPilot is built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, making it the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Ford EcoSport.

Try CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars if you’re interested in newer, off-lease cars. We’ll only show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage, most with CPO availability, and break down how much you save buying used with the best nearly-new listings in your area.

The best part? CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings — just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.

Keep these things in mind before buying cars from other states

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Along with increasing car sales, the pre-owned car market is also on the rise. Prospective buyers from Kerala often look at cars from other states due to their lesser price tag. For e.g., one could drive home a pre-owned car from Delhi or some other states for just half the price they would have to shell out if they are buying a similar one in Kerala. Though the low prices are for real, if you don’t consider these things you could repent later:

When buying a used car, the most important document one needs to check is the vehicle’s RC (registration certificate) book. Examine if the chassis and engine numbers are correct. See in which state the vehicle has been registered. Some people do not bother to register a used car from other state since the process is very cumbersome. But if the registration is not done, any claim made by you could be rejected.

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If the car has changed several hands, pay Rs 70 and get a registration certificate from the original registering authority. This will have the details of the car when it was registered for the first time. Check the existing RC book to see what all changes have been made to the car. Moreover, if the car is old or had met with an accident, the engine could have been changed. Check if this is mentioned in the RC book. The motor vehicles departments only accept changes made at the authorised dealerships of car manufacturers.

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Third party insurance is mandatory while buying the car. Change the insurance and other details to your name. Otherwise you may not get accident claim. While changing policy, check if the premium has been paid. It is also better to check if the previous owner has claimed insurance. If the previous owner has not paid the insurance premium, the registration of the vehicle is not possible.

Other issues

Check if the previous owner had taken a loan using the vehicle’s documents or made any other financial dealings. If yes, ask the person to provide a no objection certificate (NOC) from the establishment concerned. Otherwise, if there is any outstanding financial liability, the finance company could recover the amount from the new owner.

* Check the service booklet of the vehicle. This will help you understand if the vehicle has been serviced at an authorised dealership or not.

Keep these things in mind while taking a car loan

* Check if the road tax has been paid. If not, you could end up paying a huge amount. Different states have different road taxes, which could vary between two per cent and 18%. You should ask for the receipt of road tax payment.

* If buying a used vehicle from a dealer, demand a printed bill. If you are buying from an individual, you should ask the sales receipt.

Bi-fuel retro fitment certificate is must if the car is CNG/LPG fitted. The certificate is available to only those cars that are fitted with an ARIA-recognised conversion kit. The documents needed for this should be obtained from the service centre. The LPG fuel tank’s life is five years. After five years, it needs to be tested and approved by the explosives department.

The motor vehicles department will recognise vehicles that comply with the guidelines of government authorised bodies such as Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), URDE and IIP.

Documents needed

* Passport size photo — 3

* Receipts of fees, tax and cess payment

* Documents to prove address, age, and nationality (government approved)

* Form 33 (address change only)

* Form 30 (change of ownership)

* An affidavit on a Rs 100 stamp paper attested by a notary

* The invoice copy received while buying the car (to know the car’s price)

* Financier’s NOC (In case of auto loan)

* Self-addressed envelope (23x15cm/9×6′) with Rs 40 postage stamp