Skip to main content

Every driver wants a car that will last 200,000 miles or more. That sort of longevity lends itself to top-notch reliability and quality. However, quite a few companies like Buick and BMW have longevity scores well below the industry average. So which marques are the most unreliable car brands this year? 

  1. BMW
  2. Mercedes-Benz
  3. Buick
  4. Mazda
  5. Kia

BMW is in a five-way tie for the fewest cars on the road after 200,000 miles

BMW is one of the most unreliable car brands in 2022.
BMW is one of the most unreliable car brands | BMW

Unfortunately, BMW is at the bottom of the list of the most unreliable car brands. Of the Bavarian company’s vehicles, only 0.3 percent have reportedly lasted longer than 200,000 miles. That is well below the industry standard of 1.2 percent.

Is Mercedes-Benz reliable? 

Mercedes-Benz is one of the most unreliable car brands.
A Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG | Drew Angerer, Getty Images

BMW isn’t alone at the bottom of the list. Mercedes-Benz also falls toward the bottom of the list. Further, the Stuttgart titan ties BMW, with just 0.3 percent of vehicles still on the road after 200,000 miles. While the percentage is unfortunate, there are a number of reasons that cars don’t make it to that sort of mileage. 

Are Buicks long-lasting vehicles?

Although Buick has an above-average reliability rating from RepairPal, it still performs poorly on this list. The American company joins Mercedes-Benz and BMW at the bottom of the list of most unreliable car brands. 

Is Mazda as reliable as Toyota?

Mazda, like Buick, gets an above-average reliability rating from RepairPal. However,  Mazda is nowhere near Toyota’s standards of reliability. According to iSeeCars, Toyota is the number one company in terms of longevity. Toyota boasts 2.3 percent of vehicles still on the road after 200,000 miles. Compared to Mazda’s 0.3 percent, there is simply no contest. 

A Mazda Miata MX-5 RF is a Mazda, one of the least reliable marques.
A Mazda MX-5 | Mazda

It should be noted that iSeeCars believes that Mazda, like Kia, needs more time to prove the long-term reliability of its vehicles. However, Mazda is still at the bottom of the list of the most unreliable car brands.

Is Kia on the list of the most unreliable car brands?

Kia is synonymous with cost-effective practicality. However, the Korean giant underperforms on this list. Rounding out the five-way tie, Kia also has a mere 0.3 percent of cars still on the road after 200,000 miles. 

That percentage is unfortunate, given the excellent value for money of Kia vehicles like the Forte. Furthermore, iSeeCars is quick to point out that Kia’s cars likely need more time to prove themselves. On top of that, Kia offers an industry-leading warranty. 

Although these are the most unreliable car brands, you can still buy one of these vehicles

These manufacturers are quite a bit shy of the industry average. While that may be disappointing, it doesn’t mean that consumers should write off these brands altogether. When maintained, a used Buick or Mercedes-Benz could last a long time. 

It should be noted that a number of factors affect the lifespan of a vehicle, like regular maintenance. However, iSeeCars reports that these unreliable car brands won’t compare with Toyota or Ford in longevity. If you want to read about the most reliable brands, scroll down to the following article. 


RELATED: Used Cars: How To Get the Best Used Car at the Cheapest Price

Related

The GM Streetcar Conspiracy: Was GM Responsible for the Demise of America’s Streetcars?