In our country, German cars have become synonymous with quality and reliability. Mercedes W124 or BMW 5 E34 are often cited as examples of durable and hard-to-kill cars. However, not all cars from Germany are that reliable, and some can actually be problematic and should be avoided. This is not only our opinion, but also the assessment of the Germans themselves, who often want to get rid of the cars mentioned below.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 E70 crossover is appreciated for its comfort and handling, but cursed for the breakdowns of the all-wheel drive system and crankshaft.
Additionally, malfunctions in electrical equipment have been noted.
Mercedes-Benz GL
The seven-seater Mercedes crossover is powerful and spacious, but not particularly reliable. Most problems are with the air suspension, especially on our roads. Plus, the brakes are quite weak for such a heavy vehicle, and therefore wear out quickly. Electronic malfunctions are also frequent occurrences.
Opel Vectra C
The third generation Opel Vectra is inexpensive and parts for it are cheap. However, there are enough problems with the model: the water pump and the engine control unit in gasoline engines break down. Furthermore, the 2.0-liter gasoline engine and the 2.2-liter turbo diesel often experience increased oil consumption. Additionally, many Opel Vectras have been used in corporate fleets and taxi services, so they are quite worn out.
Volkswagen Sharan
The Volkswagen minivan (and its relative the SEAT Alhambra) has recently been frequently imported on temporary registration.
It cannot be called reliable – frequent failures of power windows, alarms, air conditioners, and central locks have been noted. The suspension is also quite weak. It is also advisable to avoid buying versions with the unreliable 1.8-liter turbo engine.
Volkswagen Touareg
The first generation Volkswagen Touareg has decent off-road capabilities by crossover standards, but its reliability is lacking. Among the typical malfunctions are the breakdowns of the water pump, automatic transmission, and drive shaft, as well as ignition problems in gasoline versions.
Versions with air suspension should be avoided, as it is short-lived and expensive to repair. And under no circumstances should the 2.5-liter turbo diesel be considered – it has a whole host of problems.