Before the pandemic the most popular type of car body shape was probably the SUV (sports utility vehicle). People chose them for a number of reasons, including the space, performance, and wide choice of specifications. There were also some surprisingly economical models offering quite affordable running costs. Because of the popularity at the time, you can finds lots of them on the used car market today. If you work in car broking, you’ll know this all too well.
While it is a positive that there is so much choice for buyers, it does mean you need to be careful when choosing a second hand vehicle. The condition, mileage, specs, value, and other key factors can vary massively. Some vehicles will be a great buy, but others are likely to cost you more than you expect. We want to have a look at the latter, exploring three used SUVs to avoid. We’ll consider the results of a WhatCar? reliability study to support the rankings.
Land Rover Discovery (2004-2017)
Firstly we have one of the most popular models from a brand that is synonymous with off-roading. However, the second generation, including the Discovery 3 (LR3) and 4 (LR4), has a bad reputation for reliability. According to the WhatCar? study, it had just 47.8%. That means that over half of owners had a problem with their vehicle.
This is a used car to definitely be wary of. Today Land Rover has a reputation as an upmarket luxury brand. So, a lot of people would expect the second hand models to still be high quality. Sadly though, they can experience a range of issues. These can include faults with the engine, suspension, brakes, battery, and electrics.
So, even if you can buy a used second gen Land Rover Discovery for a great price, you might want to think carefully. You could be looking at thousands of pounds in additional repair costs.
Peugeot 2008 (2013-2019)
The French manufacturer managed to create one of the most popular SUVs of the 2010s with its 2008 model. It was a good competitor for models like the Nissan Qashqai, selling quite well across Europe. As a result, there are plenty of them on the second hand market now if you look at car broking.
However, the WhatCar? study ranks it as the second worst SUV in terms of reliability. It got 50.6%, meaning just under half of owners had issues. These include numerous problems with exhausts and the suspension.
Land Rover Discovery Sport (2014-current)
Unfortunately Land Rover finds itself on the list again in third spot. This time it is for its current best selling model. This was a replacement for the Freelander.
According to WhatCar?, the reliability of the Discovery Sport is 55.4%. That is actually worse than the controversial Evoque, a model that has had a number or recalls. Problems with the engine and exhaust are particularly common.
So, you may think that the chance to buy a luxury used marque SUV is a great idea. However, it could cost thousands to repair faults.
Do you want to start car broking?
Dealers and private buyers often rely on brokers to help them find vehicles. They can trust them to search high and low for models to suit various needs. Perhaps more importantly, they can also offer advice about different vehicles, such as those to avoid.
If you have a passion for cars and want to start a business with impressive earning potential and nearly no obstacles, car broking could be for you. We can help you to learn more and give you the tools you need. Browse our website for details or contact us.
