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BMW X5 parked under a modern home roof

You Better Hope Your SUV Isn’t on This List

If you are thinking about buying a used SUV, you’ll probably want to review the ones on this list. According to CarWow, the following SUVs make up the list of the least reliable SUVs of the last decade. For the past 10 years, these SUVs have been giving owners a lot of trouble. They range …

If you are thinking about buying a used SUV, you’ll probably want to review the ones on this list. According to CarWow, the following SUVs make up the list of the least reliable SUVs of the last decade. For the past 10 years, these SUVs have been giving owners a lot of trouble. They range from budget models like the Mazda CX-5 to luxury SUV options like the Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne.

In order to create this list, the folks at CarWow got together with Warranty Wise to compile this list of the least reliable SUVs. The data comes from multiplying an SUV’s probability to have issues with its average cost to repair. This simple math gives us a nice list of SUVs we probably want to steer clear of.

The least reliable SUVs of the last decade

The first on the list of least reliable SUVs is the Mercedes GL. CarWow host explains that the newest model of the Mercedes-Benz GLS is still too new to qualify. However, if you are buying a used SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GL isn’t exactly what we’d call reliable. It costs an average of £1,180 to repair the common issues with electrical problems. The highest repair claim reported was for £4,526 due to infotainment issues.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is one of the most reliable large SUVs.
Mercedes-Benz GLS550 | Mercedes Benz

You also might want to avoid the BMW X5. Like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the current BMW X5 isn’t included because it’s so new. But the BMW X5 takes its place on this list of least reliable SUVs with an average cost to repair of £1,593. These repairs are typically for suspension issues. However, X5 engine problems cost up to £9,937.

When buying a used SUV, it’s smart to check out the best and the worst. The Land Rover Range Rover is one of the least reliable SUVs of the last decade with an average cost to repair coming in at £1,388. That’s for problems with the air suspension. If you end up having Range Rover engine problems, your SUV could cost up to £11,932. That’s easily over $12 grand USD.

A diesel Range Rover SUV on display
A diesel Range Rover | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

More SUV problems

The current Mazda CX-5 is doing great in terms of, well, just about everything. However, the previous generation Mazda CX-5 had engine problems with an average cost to repair of £1,308. The most expensive Mazda CX-5 engine problems cost up to £5,777.

People inspecting a Mazda CX-5 at an auto show
People checking out a Mazda CX-5 at an auto show | Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Next up is the Audi A7. This is another one you’ll probably want to avoid if you’re buying a used SUV. It’s got electrical problems that typically cost around £1,250. The largest claim made for the Audi A7 totaled £8,639––that’s roughly $11,384.17 USD. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport isn’t doing so hot either. Its air suspension issues cost an average of £1,545 to repair. The highest claim, however, is for engine problems and cost a staggering £20,411.

Porsche Cayenne Coupe luxury performance SUV on display at Brussels Expo
The Porsche Cayenne | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

The last two least reliable SUVs are the Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X6. These are both plagued with electrical problems, according to CarWow and Warranty Wise. The average and highest cost to repair for the Cayenne are £1,437 and £6,360 respectively. The BMW X6 average cost to repair for electrical problems is £1,769. If you have engine problems with your X6, however, you may end up spending up to £8,083. This list gives anyone thinking about buying a used SUV a lot to think about.