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Six used cars that ‘even dealers avoid’ are revealed – including Ford engine that’s ‘notorious for going wrong’

🚗 Used car dealers have identified six specific vehicle components they avoid purchasing due to expensive repair risks.

⚙️ The Ford EcoBoost engine, found in Fords like the Fiesta and Focus, features a wet belt notorious for breaking down and causing engine failure.

💷 Warrantywise estimates that repairing an EcoBoost engine averages around £3,141, though failure rates are on par with the UK average.

🔧 Ford responded by stating it is confident in its technology but has established support measures for older vehicles with service histories under 150,000 miles.

🍫 The Mazda 2.2 diesel engine is reported to suffer from severe issues like timing chains stretching and injectors leaking, leading to clogged engines.

⚠️ Experts note that the Mazda 2.2 engine is more than twice as likely to fail as other cars, with average repairs costing £3,480.

🛢️ Peugeot's PureTech engines also utilize a wet belt system that can break or clog oil pickups, potentially starving the engine of oil and ruining it.

📉 These PureTech engines are reported to be 31% more likely to fail than average cars, with repairs averaging £2,152.

⚠️ The Ford Focus PowerShift gearbox is known for jerky changes, slipping, and total failure, with repair costs averaging £2,351.

🔧 While the failure rate of these gearboxes is on par with other automatics, experts describe them as extremely problematic and short-lived.

⚠️ CVT gearboxes found in brands like Toyota are considered fragile and expensive to fix, with average repair costs cited at £2,924.

🦁 Jaguar Land Rover's Ingenium engines face timing chain stretching issues that make them 162% more likely to fail than the average car.

💰 The average repair cost for a failing Ingenium engine is significantly high, reaching up to £5,233 according to Warrantywise data.

Bullish Signals
  • Ford stated it is confident in the robustness and reliability of its EcoBoost engine technology when maintenance guidelines are followed.
  • Ford UK is happy to investigate service support or compensation for customers with a full-service history on vehicles up to ten years old with less than 150,000 miles.
  • The failure rate for the Ford EcoBoost engine is noted as being on par with the UK average, despite concerns about volume.
  • While CVT gearboxes are expensive, Warrantywise reports their failure rates are on par with other automatics.
  • The Mazda 2.2 diesel engine is found in various models including the CX-5 and Mazda 3, offering a choice of vehicles.
Risk Factors
  • Ford EcoBoost engines (found in Fiesta, Focus, B-Max) utilize a wet timing belt system that runs inside engine oil, creating a high risk of breakdown and subsequent engine failure.
  • Warrantywise estimates the average repair cost for an EcoBoost engine is approximately £3,141, with failure rates potentially heightened by the sheer volume of Fords in the market.
  • Mazda 2.2 diesel engines (found in CX-5, Mazda 6, Mazda 3) suffer from common issues including timing chain stretching, injector leaks, DPF failure, and EGR system failures.
  • According to Warrantywise, the Mazda 2.2 diesel engine is more than twice as likely to fail as other cars, with average repairs costing £3,480.
  • Peugeot PureTech engines (also in Citroen and Vauxhall) feature an infamous wet belt system that can break or clog the oil pickup, starving the engine of oil and ruining it completely.
  • These PureTech engines also consume a significant amount of oil; Warrantywise reports they are 31% more likely to fail than average, with repair costs averaging £2,152.
  • Ford Focus and Volvo PowerShift gearboxes can lead to jerky changes, hesitation, slipping, and total failure, costing an average of £2,351 to repair according to Warrantywise.
  • Jamie Caple (@Carlateral) describes the Ford Focus PowerShift gearbox as 'one of the worst gearboxes ever invented' due to its lack of longevity and extreme repair costs.
  • CVT gearboxes used by manufacturers including Toyota are described as extremely fragile, difficult to fix, and expensive to replace, with average repairs cited at £2,924.
  • JLR Ingenium engines often suffer from timing chain stretching issues; Warrantywise reports they are 162% more likely to fail than other cars, with an average repair bill of £5,233.
Full Analysis
Car dealers have identified six specific used vehicles they avoid purchasing due to the high likelihood of costly repairs and mechanical failures. The list, compiled from experts including dealers from Car Dealer Magazine, Warrantywise, and various automotive influencers, highlights internal problems such as wet belt engines, faulty gearboxes, and unreliable diesel units. The first major concern is the Ford EcoBoost engine, found in models like the Fiesta, Focus, and B-Max. This 2.3-liter unit utilizes a wet timing belt that runs inside the engine oil, a design flaw that dealers describe as "notorious for going wrong." Warrantywise estimates the average repair cost at £3,141, though they note failure rates are comparable to the UK average, potentially skewed by the sheer volume of these cars in circulation. Ford has acknowledged issues with older units (up to 2018) and offered to review cases involving vehicles under 150,000 miles with full service histories. Next on the list is the Mazda 2.2 diesel engine, used in the Mazda 6, CX-5, and Mazda 3. Mechanics report these engines frequently suffer from coking, stretched timing chains, leaking injectors, and failing exhaust gas recirculation systems. James Harding of @ChopsGarage noted that these engines are prone to "coke themselves up," throwing numerous warning flags. Data suggests this engine is more than twice as likely to fail as average cars, with repairs averaging £3,480. The Peugeot PureTech engine, utilized in Peugeots, Citroëns, and Vauxhalls, was also singled out for its wet belt system, which can break or clog the oil pickup, leading to total engine failure and excessive oil consumption. Joe Betty from Shifting Metal described the issues as a "plethora of problems," with Warrantywise citing a 31% higher failure rate than average and repair costs around £2,152. Transmission systems are also under fire, specifically the Ford PowerShift gearbox found in Volvos and Fords. Experts like Theo Cook have labeled it one of the worst gearboxes ever invented, citing jerky changes, hesitation, slipping, and total failure. While Warrantywise notes failure rates are on par with other automatics, the average repair cost is £2,351. Similarly, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs), found in Toyota Corollas and others, are avoided for their fragility and high replacement costs of £2,924 according to Warrantywise. The final highlighted issue involves the Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engine, which suffers from timing chain stretching over time. This is considered highly unreliable, with Warrantywise reporting a 162% higher likelihood of failure compared to other cars and an average repair bill of £5,233. The content also touches on broader market alerts, such as recalls for multiple car models and speed limit changes on UK motorways, reinforcing the theme of reliability concerns affecting specific vehicle types.