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Used cars to avoid in 2026: the models with the lowest reliability

By Rédaction Quelle Occasion · updated on 29 October 2026

Which used cars should you avoid in 2026? In our data, the fifteen models below combine a reliability score of 2/5 or less with at least one severity-3 fault, the highest level on our scale. These are not personal opinions: each fault listed has two or more sources, detailed on the model's page.

How did we choose these models?

We started from the models whose faults are confirmed, meaning each one is cited by at least two sites or by an official source. There are 284 of them in our reliability barometer. We kept those scoring 2/5 or less that have at least one severity-3 fault. How the score is calculated is explained in our methodology.

None of these 284 models has the "avoid" verdict: the three pages that carry it still only have faults backed by a single source, so they sit outside the barometer. All the models below have the "with precautions" verdict, and it is the reliability score that sets them apart. The scores, prices and faults are those on the pages as of 29 October 2026.

City cars to avoid

  • Audi A1 I (2010-2018, reliability 2/5, €7,240 to €12,490). "Chaîne de distribution des 1.2 et 1.4 TFSI" (timing chain of the 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI; 1.2 TFSI 86, 1.4 TFSI 122 and 185); "Mécatronique et double embrayage de la boîte S tronic 7" (mechatronic unit and dual clutch of the S tronic 7 gearbox; 1.4 TFSI 122 S tronic, 1.4 TFSI 185).

Compact cars to avoid

  • Citroën C4 Cactus I (2014-2020, 2/5, €5,980 to €11,515). "Dégradation de la courroie de distribution « humide » (1.2 PureTech)" (degradation of the "wet" timing belt; PureTech 82, 110, 110 EAT6, 130); "Pompe à vide du servofrein défaillante : assistance de freinage réduite (1.2 PureTech turbo)" (failing brake booster vacuum pump, reduced braking assistance; PureTech 110, 110 EAT6, 130); "Usure prématurée de la chaîne de distribution (1.5 BlueHDi)" (premature timing chain wear; BlueHDi 100, 120 EAT6).
  • Citroën C4 III (since 2020, 2/5, €13,000 to €20,500). Wet belt of the 1.2 PureTech (PureTech 100, 130, 130 EAT8) and chain of the 1.5 BlueHDi (BlueHDi 110, 130 EAT8).
  • Peugeot 308 II (2013-2021, 2/5, €6,200 to €10,500). The same two faults: PureTech 110, 130, 130 EAT6/EAT8 for the belt; BlueHDi 100 (1.5), 130, 130 EAT8 for the chain.

Family cars to avoid

  • BMW 5 Series VI (2010-2017, 1/5, €12,975 to €15,999). Five severity-3 faults: "Chaîne de distribution du 2.0 diesel N47" (timing chain of the 2.0 diesel N47; 518d 150, 520d 184, 525d 218); "Chaîne de distribution du 2.0 essence N20 (528i)" (timing chain of the 2.0 petrol N20; 528i 245); "Rappel EGR diesel : risque d'incendie" (diesel EGR recall, fire risk; 520d 190, 525d 218, 530d 258, 535d 313); "Rappel du joint d'arbre de transmission (modèles 2010 et 2011)" (driveshaft joint recall, 2010 and 2011 models) and "Rappel des airbags passager (modèles 2016)" (passenger airbag recall, 2016 models), which affect all the versions on the page.
  • Renault Laguna III (2007-2015, 1.5/5, €2,500 to €6,000). "Casse moteur : coussinets de bielle du 1.5 dCi 110" (engine failure: connecting rod bearings of the 1.5 dCi 110) and "Casse moteur : courroie de distribution du 1.5 dCi 110" (engine failure: timing belt of the 1.5 dCi 110).

MPVs to avoid

  • Renault Scénic III (2009-2016, 1/5, €4,145 to €7,095). "Courroie de distribution du 1.5 dCi : risque de casse moteur" (timing belt of the 1.5 dCi: risk of engine failure; 1.5 dCi 110, 110 EDC); "1.2 TCe : surconsommation d'huile et casse moteur" (1.2 TCe: excessive oil consumption and engine failure; 1.2 TCe 115 and 130).
  • Renault Scénic II (2003-2009, 2/5, €1,750 to €3,644). "Coussinets de bielle : casse moteur des diesels" (connecting rod bearings: diesel engine failure; 1.5 dCi 85 and 105, 1.9 dCi 120), with a repair cost estimated at €5,000 to €8,000 on the page.

SUVs to avoid

  • BMW X5 II (E70) (2006-2013, 1.5/5, €8,995 to €15,000). "Chaîne de distribution du 3.0 diesel" (timing chain of the 3.0 diesel; xDrive30d 235 and 245, xDrive35d 286), reported to appear between 100,000 and 150,000 km.
  • Dacia Duster I (2010-2017, 2/5, €5,990 to €10,485). "Surconsommation d'huile pouvant mener à la casse moteur (1.2 TCe)" (excessive oil consumption that can lead to engine failure; 1.2 TCe 125); two recalls: "Klaxon pouvant perturber l'airbag conducteur (rappel 2017)" (horn that can interfere with the driver airbag, 2017 recall) and "Ressort de suspension arrière pouvant se déloger (rappel 2016)" (rear suspension spring that can come loose, 2016 recall).
  • Citroën C5 Aircross I (2018-2025, 2/5, €12,200 to €23,900). Belt of the PureTech 130, chain of the BlueHDi 130 and "Batterie haute tension : risque de surchauffe et d'incendie (rappel Hybrid 225)" (high-voltage battery: risk of overheating and fire, Hybrid 225 recall; Hybrid 225 ë-EAT8).
  • DS 3 Crossback I (since 2019, 2/5, €12,000 to €21,000). Belt of the PureTech (100, 130 EAT8, 155 EAT8), chain of the BlueHDi (100, 130 EAT8) and two recalls: "Rappel : fissure du moteur de direction assistée électrique (blocage de la direction)" (cracked power steering motor, steering lock-up; all the versions on the page) and "Rappel : fuite de carburant sur la conduite haute pression (risque d'incendie)" (fuel leak on the high-pressure line, fire risk; PureTech and BlueHDi versions).
  • DS 7 (since 2017, 2/5, €18,000 to €45,000). "Défaut de la batterie haute tension : risque d'incendie (E-Tense)" (high-voltage battery defect, fire risk; E-Tense 225 and 4x4 300); "Rupture possible de la chaîne de distribution (1.5 BlueHDi)" (possible timing chain failure; BlueHDi 130); belt of the PureTech 130.
  • Peugeot 5008 II (2017-2024, 2/5, €13,000 to €25,600). Belt of the PureTech 130 (including 130 EAT6/EAT8) and chain of the BlueHDi 130 (including 130 EAT8).
  • Land Rover Defender I (1990-2016, 2/5, €21,000 to €55,000). "Vis du pignon de pompe à huile du Td5" (oil pump gear screw of the Td5; Td5 2.5 122 ch) and "Pompe à huile du 2.2 TD" (oil pump of the 2.2 TD; 2.2 TD Puma 122 ch).

These faults come mostly from a handful of engines: see our guide to the engines to avoid when buying used, and in particular the one on the 1.2 PureTech.

The more reliable alternatives, category by category

For each category, here are models with confirmed faults and a score of 4/5 or more, with a price range that overlaps that of the model set aside. Prices are the indicative figures on the pages. No model is fault-free: read the page before choosing.

What if you still want one of these models?

  1. Open its page and read the severity-3 faults: the list of affected versions tells you whether your engine is concerned.
  2. Demand the service invoices and, for a recall, proof that it was carried out.
  3. Have the car mechanically inspected before buying, and read the roadworthiness test report.
  4. Compare with the alternatives above, or with our documents to demand.

Sources

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.