10 SUVs That Are Cheap To Buy but Expensive To Fix

A cheap used SUV can save you thousands upfront, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bargain.

That's especially true with older luxury SUVs. Depreciation can push a vehicle that once cost $50,000 or more down to the $10,000 range, but expensive parts, specialized labor, and complex electronics don't depreciate at the same rate. Buying the wrong car is one of the biggest money mistakes people make, so it's important that you prepare yourself financially for the extra costs and risks when it comes to buying a cheap used SUV

Here are 10 SUVs that are cheap on the used market, but costly to repair.

Editor's note: all repair cost data comes from RepairPal.

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Average annual repair cost: $1,034

A 2015 BMW X3 starts around $8,775 on Kelley Blue Book, down from more than $40,000 when new.

That discount comes with some risk. Engine problems are among the most common complaint categories for this model year, including reports of coolant leaks and overheating. Higher-mileage examples deserve an especially close look at the cooling system before you buy.

Average annual repair cost: $928

A 2015 Audi Q5 goes for about $8,100 today, compared with an original price above $40,000.

Oil consumption is one trouble spot to watch. CarComplaints lists 14 complaints about excessive oil consumption and reports a typical repair cost of about $2,400 in cases where owners provided cost information. That's a painful bill on an SUV worth less than $10,000.

Average annual repair cost: $1,102

A 2016 Evoque HSE now sells for around $9,625 according to KBB. It originally went for more than $51,000 brand new.

The Evoque also brings plenty of electronics and drivetrain complexity. Electrical issues are among the largest complaint categories for the 2016 model, with additional complaints involving the drivetrain and engine.

Average annual repair cost: $1,308

The 2015 GL350 BlueTEC is one of the biggest depreciation stories here. A vehicle that originally cost $68,445 now has a fair purchase price around $12,400.

Its diesel engine adds another layer of expense. Mercedes issued service bulletins covering issues ranging from exhaust back-pressure sensors that could trigger limp mode to oil around the engine's oil cooler.

Average annual repair cost: $1,241

KBB prices a 2015 LR4 as low as $8,750, depending on trim. That's a huge drop from original prices of roughly $52,000 to $62,000.

The list of possible headaches includes engine, electrical, fuel-system, and transmission complaints. NHTSA complaints collected by CarComplaints also include an engine failure reportedly requiring an engine replacement.

Average annual repair cost: $1,166

A 2015 BMW X5 starts around $12,650 today, despite an original base price of $54,595. The V8-powered xDrive50i originally topped $75,000 but now sits around $12,250.

That makes the X5 cheap to acquire, not necessarily cheap to own. Engine and cooling systems are worth scrutinizing carefully, particularly on higher-mileage examples. Even a cooling-system failure can become a costly job on a tightly packed luxury SUV.

Average annual repair cost: $1,231

The depreciation here is hard to miss. A 2015 Cayenne S that originally cost $78,950 now has a KBB fair purchase price around $16,350. That's a big indication that something is amiss.

Porsche issued multiple technical service bulletins concerning the Cayenne's transfer-case system, including moisture and corrosion around the transfer-case servo motor connection. Drivetrain, engine, and electrical complaints have also been recorded for the 2015 model.

Average annual repair cost: $859

A 2015 GLK350 now starts around $11,650, versus just over $40,000 when new. The all-wheel-drive GLK350 4MATIC is around $13,400.

The GLK isn't as costly to maintain as some SUVs here, but it's still an older Mercedes with luxury-brand parts and labor. There are still plenty of reports of oil leaks, suspension problems, and transmission trouble. That makes service history important, particularly if the vehicle has been maintained cheaply or inconsistently.

Average annual repair cost: $811

A 2016 Lincoln MKX starts around $11,500 on KBB, while the Black Label version has fallen from nearly $59,000 new to roughly $13,050.

CarComplaints rates 2016 as the MKX's worst model year, citing engine problems as the leading complaint. Transmission complaints for that year include lurching and unexpected shifts into neutral.

Average annual repair cost: $790

A 2015 Cadillac SRX now starts around $9,675, while the top Premium Collection trim is roughly $10,200. That same trim originally cost nearly $50,000.

The electronics are a weak spot. CarComplaints lists a failed CUE touchscreen as the worst reported problem for the 2015 SRX, with an average repair cost of about $1,200 at 47,000 miles.

A low purchase price can mask much higher ownership costs, especially for older luxury SUVs. Before buying, compare reliability data, research the common problems for the exact model year, and make sure the vehicle's service history doesn't show years of deferred maintenance.

It's also worth paying for an independent inspection to avoid wasting money. The Federal Trade Commission says a vehicle history report usually won't reveal mechanical problems, which is why it recommends having a used car inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy. That extra step can help uncover expensive problems before they become yours.