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There is a certain standard that people adhere to after spending a lot of money on a luxury car, but high-end brands tend to have higher prices, expensive maintenance and frequent repairs.
GOBankingRates spoke to two experts to learn more about which luxury vehicles aren’t worth buying and why. Here’s what we found out.
1. Range Rover Sport
Don’t expect Land Rover to top any reliability rankings any time soon. Consumer Reports ranked the brand 30th out of 32 in its latest overall Car Brand Report Card. Land Rovers are expensive to buy and maintain and they break down frequently.
“The parts aren’t cheap, and the labor is high, too, since most shops don’t touch them, so you’re stuck using a dealer,” said Chris Pyle. An auto expert with an expert-on-demand platform Jplease answer. “Furthermore, repair bills for failures run into the hundreds, not thousands.”
Alan Gelfand, owner of Hollywood Expert Repair Shop German Car DepotAgreed and pointed to the Range Rover Sport as a particularly problematic model, which “has earned its place as one of the most troublesome models for repair technicians to work on.”
“Vehicles frequently experience air suspension failures, electronic system malfunctions and oil leaks, creating costly maintenance problems for owners,” Gelfand said. “Due to the high price of these vehicles, customers expect reliable performance, yet they still require frequent visits to repair shops.”
2. BMW 7 Series
Although CoPilot considers newer versions of the 7 Series Bimmer to be more reliable than models from 2002 to 2010, Gelfand said the contemporary 7 has its own issues.
“BMW’s 7 Series flagship model comes with advanced technology, but this advanced system causes many system breakdowns, resulting in high repair expenses after warranty expiry,” he said. “Failure of this vehicle’s electronic system has become so common that owners experience a significant decline in the market value of their vehicle, resulting in a poor investment decision.”
3. Mercedes-Benz CLS
Both experts chose different Mercedes models, which kept both mechanics busy.
“The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a vehicle that is often seen in the shop getting work done in the cab and under the hood,” Pyle said. “Technicians often laugh after fixing something and sending it out. We often say, ‘See you soon.’ This is true and not for repeated failure… there is simply something else that has stopped working properly.”
The more expensive, CLS executive sedan — which will be discontinued in 2023 — is a high-end money pit, Gelfand said.
Gelfand said, “The CLS model has lost its appeal since its introduction due to its stylish design.” “The vehicle requires expensive maintenance as its suspension and electrical systems frequently fail. Compared to other Mercedes-Benz models the CLS fails to provide adequate value for its premium price point.”
4. Audi A3
A major selling point of luxury cars is their performance: their handling, technology and power. When it comes to the latter and the A3, Pyle has his own concerns.
“(This Audi model) comes with less oomph from the engine,” he said. “It was designed to be a car with luxury and good MPG, but it needs a little more bang under the hood. It’s not so bad that people only look at the driver because you’re stuck in the slow lane, but you’ll definitely be left in the dust by much cheaper cars with more performance.”
5.Cadillac Escalade
“Go big or go home” The Cadillac Escalade appeals to drivers who want more of everything – space, seating and storage. The base Escalade, along with the iQ, ESV and iQL models, made MotorTrend’s top 10 list of “Largest SUVs for 2025,” but its sheer size is only one of the common complaints.
Gelfand said, “The Escalade offers a gorgeous appearance but lacks functional utility.” “The vehicle presents rough handling and poor fuel efficiency due to its large size. The interior quality of this luxury SUV is inferior to European competitors, while its ownership expenses remain high.”
Pyle is less specific about his complaints about Cadillac. When asked which luxury models people should stop buying, he said, “Cadillac, all of them. You pay top dollar premium for these nice vehicles, then within a month it depreciates 15%.”
“You could lose $10,000 to $20,000 before you even make the first monthly payment,” Pyle added. “At about five years old, you will lose about 60 to 70% of the value and it will be hard to sell or trade it and get what you want out of it.”
6. Genesis GV80
Advanced technology is an attractive feature for many car buyers. However, how much is too much? Today’s technology can be overwhelming, according to Scientific American, writing, “Current generation cars can be expensive to repair, harder to understand and operate, and, some experts in the field say, are more likely to cause distraction and driver disengagement.”
The GV80 by Genesis falls into the highly advanced vehicle category for Pile. “It has some great features, especially surround video for blind spot lane changes. However, it’s a little too much,” he said.
“It has a thing called the Mood Curator System. That helps wake you up or calm you down with coordinated music, ambient lighting and cabin fragrance combinations. How to use all the plush extras in this car can be overwhelming for the older generation.”