A mechanic with 30 years of experience named three cars that are not worth spending money on.

According to ТСН: When you walk past the workshop every day and service thousands of cars, you start to understand which of them are genuinely designed for driving and which are meant for regular maintenance. John Ling, a mechanic with thirty years of experience, shared his 'black' list of cars.

Ling is not a fan of German cars or electric vehicles, and if you are looking for a pickup, it's worth paying attention to Japanese models. He named three cars he would never spend his money on.

Audi A4: 'Electric Nightmare'

According to Ling, this German sedan vividly demonstrates the problem with all European premium brands—they introduce technologies before they become reliable.

• Problem: random failures of computer systems, modules, or sensors. Breakdowns can start as early as 4–6 years into operation.

• Cost of comfort: although the car drives very well, specialized wheel bearings and suspension components are quite expensive to repair.

Volkswagen Jetta: 'Honeymoon up to 80,000 miles'

The more affordable 'relative' of Audi also cannot boast long-term reliability.

• Problem: after 80,000 miles (approximately 128,000 km), the car starts to 'fall apart.'

• Spare parts: Ling noted that repairing a Jetta costs 30–60% more than competitors, due to the nature of VW's spare parts supply.

Ford F-150: the aluminum body trap

The most popular pickup in America disappointed the mechanic not because of the engine, but because of the body materials.

• Problem: Ford uses aluminum to reduce weight, while competitors (Chevy, Ram, Toyota) prefer high-strength steel. Aluminum reacts differently to impacts, complicating body repairs and making them more expensive.

The year 2026 promises to be eventful for the automotive market: seven new models have already caught the experts' attention. After reviewing key premieres, they predict which of them will become real hits.

Thus, Ling's recommendations serve as an important guide for those looking to purchase a car. It is best to choose models that have proven reliable in operation and to consider potential maintenance costs. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises in the future and save a considerable amount of money.