10 ‘Unreliable’ Car Brands That Are Secretly Smart Buys

Purchasing a solid car is one of the smartest money moves you can make as a car owner. A clever way to save big on a vehicle purchase is to buy one from a brand with a spotty reputation, but that actually still produces value-holding, world-class hidden gems.

These vehicles often follow the brand's general depreciation curve, allowing you to buy them at a discount, yet they offer world-class reliability and hold their value surprisingly well thanks to solid engineering.

Here are 10 models from "unreliable" car brands that are better and more reliable than you think.

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While Jeep often ranks near the bottom for overall brand reliability, the modern Wrangler is actually a solid car. Its simplicity is its strength.

With solid axles and a proven V6 engine, there is less to break than in complex luxury SUVs. It defies normal depreciation trends, retaining over 64% of its value after five years, and ranks 8.2 for reliability, according to iSeeCars data.

Chevrolet often gets mixed reviews for its budget economy cars, but the Corvette is built to a completely different standard. The C7 generation is widely regarded as one of the better versions of the American classic, featuring a robust V8 engine that is under-stressed in normal driving.

It consistently earns "Great" reliability ratings, scoring an 87 out of 100 from J.D. Power. Because it is the last generation with a front-engine manual transmission, its value is stabilizing or even appreciating.

German luxury cars are infamously regarded as unreliable money pits due to their high repair costs and constant need for maintenance. However, the E-Class bucks that trend and is one of the most reliable luxury cars, earning a reliability score of 88 out of 100 from J.D. Power.

The first edition was rated as the best midsize premium car by J.D. Power, so you can get luxury comfort and handling without all the typical drawbacks.

Nissan's reputation was severely damaged by CVT transmission failures in its sedans, but the Frontier truck avoided this entirely. Using a traditional 5-speed automatic and a simple 3.8L V6, it has an average lifespan of 12.4 years, according to iSeeCars data. The Frontier scored a 7.9 out of 10 on iSeeCar's reliability ratings, making it one of the highest for mid-sized trucks.

BMW's reputation for engine trouble changed with the introduction of the "B58" engine in 2016. This 3.0L inline-six was so well-engineered that it won Ward's "10 Best Engines" award multiple times.

It is widely credited with solving the reliability issues of previous BMW engines, offering such high durability and great resale value. It has the perfect combination of reliability and value, making anything from the mid-to-late 2010s worth buying if you're looking for a sporty luxury car.

Mini was once synonymous with repair bills, but the brand's quality overhaul, once BMW took over in 2014, has paid off. The 2019 hardtop model received a "Great" rating from J.D. Power, with a Quality & Reliability score of 85 out of 100, ranking it among the top vehicles in the compact sports car segment.

This makes it a surprisingly safe purchase for people wanting a fun, stylish car that won't break down after a few speed runs through scenic roads.

While Porsche is often lumped in with high-end European brands known for expensive repairs and questionable long-term reliability, the 911 consistently defies that perception.

The Porsche 911 is consistently rated as the most reliable sports car in the world. In the 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, the 911 was ranked No. 1 Most Dependable Model across the entire automotive industry, beating out every economy car and truck.

This elite reliability helps it retain value better than almost any other vehicle, so you can pick up a car from the previous 991 generation for a good price and still get great value out of it.

While domestic luxury cars often depreciate rapidly and have constant maintenance issues, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a hidden gem of reliability.

iSeeCars gave the 2013-2020 generation a high reliability ranking of 8.3 out of 10. It uses a proven Ford hybrid powertrain and transmission that delivers excellent fuel economy and longevity, offering a low-maintenance luxury experience for a fraction of the price of European rivals.

Buick is often overlooked among domestic cars, but the Envision SUV is a solid, reliable vehicle.

J.D. Power awarded the 2020 model a "Great" Quality & Reliability score of 88 out of 100. Even more impressive for a domestic brand, it scored 91 out of 100 for Resale Value, meaning it holds its worth exceptionally well compared to other compact SUVs, making it a smart financial choice for someone looking for a mid-tier luxury SUV.

Dodge is rarely associated with high resale value, but the Challenger is an exception.

According to iSeeCars, the Challenger retains 60.5% of its value after five years, the best of any Dodge model. This value retention is driven by the demand for its naturally aspirated V8 engines, which are simpler and often more durable than the turbocharged engines found in modern competitors.

There's also the fact that this is the final generation of Challengers before Dodge ceased production in 2023, which helps retain the car's value.

Buying a car from a brand with a reputation for unreliability can actually be smart money if you pick the right model, especially if you're buying used. They often depreciate steeply due to overall brand perception, but still deliver strong reliability and/or resale value.

That discount can free up room in your budget to compare auto insurance rates, letting you lower total ownership costs while avoiding the reliability pitfalls people assume come with the badge.