Top Five Cars You Should NEVER Buy according to Mike Brewer

Wheeler Dealer star Mike Brewer and current car dealer knows a thing or two about buying and selling cars. He’s bought thousands of them over the years in his career as a used car dealer and as a presenter on TV's Wheeler Dealers. Here, he rounds up the cars that car dealers and consumers should avoid like the plague

[frisco-.]

I never had problems with any of the Opel/Vauxhall Astra series.

[simmybear]

95% of all Land Rovers ever built are still on the road, the other 5% made it home 😉

[paulkazjack]

My astra is 10 years old! I havnt had one single problem with it.

[rogerr]

Your video was short and to the point. I appreciate that. Too many of these videos take 20 minutes to say what you did in 3.

[richarddye]

I had a top spec Freelander 2 for three years and apart from servicing the only thing I had to do to it was to clear the aircon vent drain, a two minute job.

[jjs]

Astra surprised me. I never really liked them until I bought one as a temporary car and ended up really enjoying it but at the same time never understanding why. I never had it long enough to see how reliable it was.

I am driving a 1.0 GTDi Fiesta Black (140 ps version) for 5 years now and did not have any issues with the engine or the car itself... Also my dad is driving a Focus 1.0 (125 PS version) for 8 years now and guess what he also did not had any issues with the engine... although we had some small accidents that required changing/reworking the front bumper, fenders etc, engine did not required any intervention at all. The only thing I agree with Mike is that it is not easy to find a technician outside the authorized Ford services if something happens. This is because it is not an ordinary engine that a common layman technican can tinker with due to the balancing, part tolerances and so on :) For the Vauxhall Astra (Opel in my country) shown in this video I heard lots of issues with the transmisson and have a friend that experienced problems and could not find a new transmisson because it is not produced anymore and had to get his transmisson somewhat repaired and continue to use it with some minor noise and rattling issues :(

[jackkruese]

I had a Freelander 2 for 3 years no problem except routine maintenance. I’ve had 5 Audis and the last one was a total dog, lost count of how many times in broke down and how much it cost to keep going.

[patrickfurzer]

my partner has had an astra now for 6 yrs and has had no problems at all just the usual, brake pads, battery oil senser presure gauge and it still runs lovely. ( regular service is a must and makes all the difference !!!!)

[samuelboyd]

This guy has proved time and time again he knows * all about cars

[number]

I own an 11 year old Freelander 2 and it’s the best car I have ever had.There are still many of the these on the road and yes they are likely to cost a bit but in the right hands they will go on for a long time.I have just ‘clocked’110, 000 mi and it feels just run in.Look after them and they will look after you.

[wyomikey]

Subaru head gasket issue common on the ej25D (DOHC), ej251 and ej253 (both SOHC) naturally asperated models....the turbo model WRX and STI used a MLS (multi layer steel) head gasket, problem not as common. turbo failures and rod bearing failures due to oil consumption and poor lubrication design the bigger problem If you own a Subaru you MUST check your oil regularly. Just the nature of the beast

[acelectricalsecurity]

As Scot kilmer says, if you want reliability you buy honda, Toyota or lexus

[markullyett]

Ive had my Astra k, 3 years, never had a spanner to it. Just serviced it regular

[daveh]

Bought a Freelander 2 litre TDI from new in 2002 and I am still driving it. Apart from an early common problem with the sealed hydraulic clutch linkage which was cured by a modified system it has since been completely trouble free. In 2021 with over 150, 000 miles on the clock it still gives the same performance and mileage (500 miles on a full tank) as the day I bought it.

[andrewdouglas]

I would love to know what specific problems are attributed to the 1 series as that is what I have and so far, problem free.

[wayinfront]

Re the Astra: I've got a 2001 Opel Astra, 1.6 engine (tuned by Lotus apparently - not just my car but the whole Opel and Vauxhall Astra range at the time) and it's very reliable indeed. Had to spend no more than £400 on parts for it over the 3 years I've owned it, and that was just for things you expect to need replacing like tyres, battery, bits of the exhaust At some stage a couple of bushes too. The car only cost me £300! It had done 114, 000 miles, have added about 50, 000 miles since then. The engine is marvellous. Got a lovely growl, plenty of poke, but economical enough at 40 mpg. Handles beautifully. A pleasure to drive, never lets me down, and the body looks as good as new. Don't know what it's made of but it doesn't rust at all. Modern Astras may be crap but mine certainly is not.

[jerzygawor]

Had three Discoveries. Nothing but trouble. Switched to Toyota Land Cruiser and its been a dream experience. Great video Mike - thanks.

[tonyjedioftheforest]

Surprised that the Astra is on the list. My brother in law had an SRI from new for 10 years without issue. I have the Zafira SRI for several years which has been brilliant and a fabulous family car which is very versatile. Prior to that a Zafira 1.6 for 7 years which was again very reliable. The only thing that I spent on it was it’s service and a new exhaust. I hope after writing this that something doesn’t go wrong!

[The_Dan_of_Kent]

Agree with the Astra being on the list. After owning a few Astra vans over the years with no issues I decided on a fairly new at the time Astra H 2008 1.7cdti for the family car. Once she got past 35, 000 miles it was neverending problems.