A drive through the streets of Nigeria would expose one to cars, buses and trucks (both conventional and luxurious). Cars plying our roads are predominantly made up of used cars, with people preferring to save and get cheaper deals on such cars.
According to local reports, the Director-General, National Automotive Council, NAC, Mr Aminu Jalal in 2014 disclosed that Nigeria spends a total of N1.2 trillion on the importation of vehicles annually.
A breakdown of the figure shows that N550 billion was spent on importation of cars, buses and trucks. This does not include tractors and military vehicles. Also, Nigerians spend even more on their car accessories:
“I want to tell you that last year alone, this country spent N550 billion on importations of cars, buses and trucks. That does not include tractors and military vehicles. Again, we also spent around N500 billion on spare parts. In fact, on tyres alone, we spent N150 billion. And this year, the same trend is showing.”He said.
These circumstances have pushed the Federal Government to enact a new auto policy to encourage automobile car assembly and manufacturing plants in Nigeria so that such funds would be prevented from leaving our shores.
Pending the manufacturing of cars in the country, it becomes necessary to bring to notice, cars found on our roads that according to consumer report annual auto surveys, are listed among 10 used vehicle from 2003 to 2012 model to avoid due to their multiple years of much-worse-than-average overall reliability:
BMW 7-Series
The BMW 7-Series may be the German automaker’s luxury flagship, but used models aren’t without their issues.
From 2001-2008, the 7-Series featured the good ‘ol “Bangle Butt” and sported some highly controversial styling. Early production of that generation was overwhelmed with issues even causing BMW to purchase back some of the vehicles back in 2002-2003.
BMW of North America even extended its warranty on all 2002-2003 model year 7-Series vehicles to six years/100,000 miles from the original four years/50,000 miles.
BMW X5 SUV
Also landing on the list from BMW is its X5 SUV which first started production in 1999. The first generation ran to 2006 and shared components with the Land Rover Range Rover HSE model while the engine and electronics were borrowed from the 5-Series.
The X5 is currently in its second generation, and according to Consumer Reports, you should stay away from the inline-six models if you’re in the used car market.
On testing, the six-cylinder 3.0i BMW X5 “became unstable” and was “lifting two wheels.” Despite improvements in the 2005 model year, the X5’s handling was still unsettling at its limits. Major issues spanning from 2003-2011 that ranked worse included Engine Major, Engine Minor, Drive System, Climate System, Body Hardware, Power Equipment, and Audio System.
Chevrolet Uplander
The Chevrolet Uplander is the sole vehicle from the American automaker to make this list, a minivan that was produced from 2005 to 2008 in America.
The Chevrolet Uplander is the sole vehicle from the American automaker to make this list, a minivan that was produced from 2005 to 2008 in America.
It replaced the Venture and Astro models, and was ultimately replaced by the Chevrolet Traverse. Though its sales were decent, the Uplander couldn’t compete with the more popular minivans on the market such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
The Chevrolet Uplander suffered from reliability issues in the categories of Transmission Minor, Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical System, Climate System, Suspension, Brakes, Paint and Trim, Squeaks and Rattles, Body Hardware, and Power Equipment.
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Featuring retro styling in a compact body, the PT Cruiser was originally launched in 2000 before its production got axed a decade later in 2010.
Through its production however, the American automaker gave it several variants including a two-door convertible in 2005. All said and done, there’s over 1.35 million PT Cruisers out there in the world, and you should probably stay away from all of them if you’re shopping for a used car.
Consumer Reports found the PT Cruiser to have a somewhat stiff ride with a noisy cabin. Both the turbo and non-turbo models ranked worse in Engine Major, Engine Minor, Engine Cooling, Transmission Major (though this was improved in 04-06), Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical System, Climate System, Suspension, and Squeaks and Rattles.
Ford Explorer
Since 1990, the Ford Explorer has been the American automaker’s face in the SUV market. It recently entered its fifth generation as of model year 2011, seeing some major changes with its monocoque structure and more modern styling. Stay away from the previous iterations however, as problems are now creeping up.
Consumer Reports also found the V6 Explorer’s power plant to be crude and noisy while the 2006 redesign didn’t help to improve the SUV’s fit and finish.
Handling lacked agility while the ride remained stiff. Improvements were made with the 2011 model, when the Explorer moved to the Flex’s platform, helping it give a comfier ride with a well-finished interior.
As for reliability, older models suffered from Transmission Major, Transmission Minor, Drive System, Suspension, Paint and Trim, Squeaks and Rattles, Body Hardware, and more recently, Audio System issues.
Jeep Wrangler four-door model
Perhaps a surprise to some, the Jeep Wrangler four-door model is one to avoid on the used car market.
The Wrangler originally debuted in 1987 and has since been known as one of America’s most rugged vehicles.
Its latest generation originally debuted as a 2007 model year, and got some minor updates in 2010. Still, Consumer Reports found enough issues from used Wranglers to have it on its list.
Though the Wrangler is considered an off-road champ, Consumer Reports found that it suffered from a choppy ride on the road.
In addition, it had numb and slow steering, clumsy handling, and road noise was loud and constant.
Reliability issues in older models (2007-2010) include Transmission Minor, Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical System, Suspension, Exhaust, Paint and Trim, and Squeaks and Rattle.
Kia Sorento (V6)
The V6 Kia Sorento is next on the list, a midsize crossover SUV that just saw a major update from the Korean automaker for the 2014 model year.
The first-generation Kia Sorento however, which started production in 2002, didn’t really attract much of the general public. Its second iteration came in 2009, where it gained popularity with a more modern style, but still seems to have its fair share of issues.
The Sorento sported a stiff ride with clumsy handling in Consumer Reports’ testing, though much was improved with the 2011 model year.
From 2004-2008, its reliability had poor rankings in Engine Major, Engine Cooling, Drive System, Fuel System, Climate System, Brakes, Exhaust, Paint and Trim, Squeaks and Rattles, Body Hardware, and Power Equipment. In 2004, its Audio System received poor marks but was improved since.
Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class SUV
Mercedes-Benz’s sole entry on the list is its GL-Class SUV, a full-size model that’s been around since 2006. A three-row, seven-passenger vehicle, it shares the same unibody architecture as the M-Class, but is higher in the lineup. The second-generation GL just recently hit the market as a 2013 model year vehicle, boasting a bigger size, more luxurious amenities, and ton of new-generation technology.
Despite getting positive remarks in its testing, the reliability of the GL-Class suffered in several categories. Worse rankings were given for the Engine Minor, Transmission Major, Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical System, Suspension, Paint and Trim, Body Hardware, Power Equipment, and Audio System categories.
MINI Cooper S
The MINI Cooper S may be a fun, stylish compact car, but is also one to avoid purchasing, used. There’s no denying its popularity on the market, but the Cooper S isn’t free of troubles. In its current form, the Cooper S is powered by a turbocharged, 1.6-liter engine with 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque.
The Cooper S, according to Consumer Reports, has reliability issues with its engine, engine cooling, transmission, and fuel system. Other categories that received poor marks over the years include Climate System (2003), Suspension, Exhaust, Paint and Trim (2008), Squeaks and Rattles, and Body Hardware.
Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is yet another SUV model to avoid on the used car lots, and has been in production since 2004.
The full-size SUV shares its body-on-frame platform with the Nissan Titan pickup, Xterra SUV, Frontier pickup, and Pathfinder SUV. The Armada is currently built in Canton, Mississippi and was always designed for the North American market.
Consumer Reports found the Armada’s handling relatively responsive, but concluded that the ride is quite stiff and the interior quality is unimpressive.
In 2004, the Armada got worse marks for its brakes, exhaust, and audio system. In the 2010-2011 model years, the Armada got worse in Electrical System (2010), Climate System, Paint and Trim (2010), Squeaks and Rattles, Body Hardware, and Power Equipment (2010).
Volkswagen Touareg
Lastly is the Volkswagen Touareg, a midsize crossover SUV that is now in its second generation. It has garnered plenty of awards and attention over the years, but Consumer Reports is convinced that Toaureg owners also have their fair share of issues with the vehicle.
The first-generation Touareg has received complaints for having premature failure of the center support bearings, an issue that would occur after the original warranty was over.
Though much improved in 2011, the older Touareg suffers from Engine Major, Transmission Minor, Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical System, Power Equipment, and Audio System issues.
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