‘I’m a driving expert – this much-loved used car is cheap to buy but expensive to run’
A used car expert has advised motorists against buying a widely bought model, stating that it is fun to drive but can be very costly to maintain.
A respected motoring personality has taken to YouTube to state that used car buyers should avoid one model in particular that is still widely bought.
Matt runs the YouTube channel High Peak Autos, and regularly posts videos in which he gives advice for motorists looking to pick up a bargain on the used car market.
However, in a popular video, Matt warned that drivers could get more than they bargained for if they buy a second-hand Mini.
He explained: “Now, I know what you’re thinking, ‘Which Mini, Matt? There are lots of models.’, well all of them. They’re all unreliable, the engines are garbage, the gearboxes are rubbish.
“The manual gearbox is terribly unreliable, the synchromesh wears out, the bearings whine, and the automatics even worse. In addition, the electrics were designed by a madman, and the power steering by somebody who’s very bitter and vindictive.”
READ MORE: 'As much as a house deposit' - Buyers told to avoid used cars that cost thousands to fix
Seen as a symbol of British engineering for decades, the Mini remains a popular model with the standard hatchback model ranking as the seventh best-selling car in the UK during 2023.
However, Matt noted that a lot of components on the well-known supermini can go wrong over time, including the gearbox, electronics, and the timing chain.
The YouTuber also noted that motorists simply looking for a used car that is easy to drive will be disappointed, stating that the clutch and steering can be heavy.
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Nevertheless, Matt suggested that not all variants of the Mini are bad cars, with the iconic Cooper being the best for someone who wants a good-looking hot hatchback.
He added: “Don’t get me wrong, the design of the new Mini, from 2001 onwards, is excellent. I think it’s a really stylish little car.
“And they’re great fun to drive if you want to go everywhere at 100mph, they stick to the roads like nothing else. The Cooper S in particular is great fun.”