Andy’s Auto Advice frequently posts car buying and maintenance tips. After watching a bunch of his videos, I can tell he’s at least a big DIYer, vehicle detailer, and state DOT slow plow operator with a growing social media following. He knows a lot about repairs and general car care, so I almost want to throw “mechanic” in here, too, but it’s not listed in his profile or mentioned otherwise. Anyway, he recently shared which automotive brands tend to disappoint drivers once the factory warranty expires. Here’s his list of 5 car brands to stay away from once they’re out of warranty.
1. Mercedes-Benz
Andy says especially in the last five years, their quality has decreased. Daimler was renamed Mercedes-Benz Group in 2022, and Andy claims this is really when things went south. “They’re very complex, and they require a lot more maintenance than your standard, average vehicle.” Once a Mercedes is out of factory warranty, expect to pay up for maintenance and repairs.
2. Jeep models
Andy says post-Stellantis acquisition, Jeeps now use a lot of Fiat-built engines (other than the Pentastar engine). This includes the Renegade, Cherokee, and Wrangler, and others. To Andy, this means quality took a hit. What’s more, he explains, the cost of entry for what you ultimately get is just too high. “I don’t know where Jeep is getting these prices from.”
3. Land Rover / Range Rover
“As beautiful as their cars are, they are very unreliable and they have been for a long time.” He does admit they have great tech and off-road capabilities…when they’re running. After the factory warranty expires, though, “The cost of repair is insane.”
4. Maserati
Andy says that ever since Chrysler acquired Maserati, build qualify has suffered. “Who wants to pay $80,000 or $100,000 for a vehicle with Chrysler 300 parts inside?” Andy adds that they always seem to be breaking down and experiencing engine issues. He likes the looks of them, but recommends buyers beware after the factory warranty’s up.”The quality does not match the price.”
5. Porsche
While the build quality and design are “excellent,” Andy says they’re “way over-engineered.” The Boxster engines can be difficult to work on, making maintenance and repairs for an independent mechanic a total nightmare. In fact, many refuse to work on them, forcing drivers to visit the dealership service department for every need, “where maintenance is through the roof.”
At the end of the day, most buyers of these brands understand what they’re getting into and intentionally seek out models, regardless of whether they’re under factory warranty. In any case, Andy’s videos have millions of views on TikTok, and his followers constantly post words of appreciation for his insights. You can watch him on YouTube, now, too.
