Oct 14, 2026

I'm a Mechanic: Here Are 4 Used Cars Gen Z Should Stay Away From at All Costs

Car shopping might be something you’ve always dreamed about, especially if it’s your first vehicle purchase. However, it’s important to look beyond the aesthetic feel or price tag.

Here are four used cars Gen Z should stay away from at all costs.

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BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series can be tempting for Gen Z, from its sleek sports car design to its luxury features. However, the BMW 7 Series is known for severe depreciation. TopSpeed reported that the BMW 7 Series loses more than half of its value during the first five years of ownership. Even if you buy used, good luck reselling it and recouping your investment.

“An older BMW 7 Series can be tempting because depreciation makes a top end luxury car look affordable,” said Alan "Ollie" Gelfand, Owner at German Car Depot. “The problem is that, although they are older and now cheaper, they are not any simpler to work on.”

Gelfand continues saying, “Depending on the exact year, you may be looking at expensive suspension parts, coolant leaks, electrical gremlins, oil leaks, and complicated engine or drivetrain systems that are difficult to work on. A neglected older 740, 750 or 760 can turn into a really expensive project quicker than one would plan for.”

Nissan Sentra

Nissan used to be the gold standard in reliability and quality; however, owners on Reddit reported a noticeable decline since the 1990s models. While post-2020 models can be more reliable, used Nissan Sentras often need repairs that can exceed their resale value.

“My concern here is the potential financial exposure associated with the CVT,” said Greg Bunch, CEO at Aspen Auto Clinic. “Nissan extended coverage on these transmissions to seven years or 84,000 miles, including major internal components and the valve body. Buyers shopping these cars today should have a Nissan dealer verify any remaining coverage for the specific vehicle.”

Bunch continued by saying, “These CVT transmissions are definitely problematic, and not every transmission rebuilder works with them. A lot of times, the new transmission has to come from the dealer and can exceed the value of the vehicle.”

Range Rover

Like the BMW 7 Series, the Range Rover might catch your eye. Even if you find an affordable used Range Rover, maintenance and repair costs are extremely high. During the first 10 years, expect to pay nearly $20,000 in maintenance and repair costs, according to CarEdge.

“A used Range Rover can offer a lot of vehicle for the money, but maintenance history is super important,” said Gelfand. “All the same issues that would plague you in a 7 Series, and other age-related repairs, can become expensive quickly, especially if and when more than one appears at the same time.”

Ford Focus

While many Ford models are known for their reliability, the Ford Focus isn’t one of them. The Focus, especially 2012 through 2018 models, has frequent transmission issues, like electronic power-assisted steering failures. One of these repairs can easily cost more than $5,000.

“These cars can look appealing because they offer practical transportation at an accessible purchase price,” said Bunch. “The concern is the automatic transmission’s documented clutch shudder, particularly when accelerating from a stop. Ford issued technical guidance addressing that condition and possible transmission fluid contamination of the clutch. A buyer needs to understand that an attractive price can come with a substantial drivability problem.”

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact year, make or model of the vehicle(s) listed in this article.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Sean Bryant

Edited by

Brendan McGinley