Mechanic warns used car buyers to avoid cheap luxury model that has 'really big problem'
With more motorists turning to the used car market for their next reliable family vehicle, a top mechanic has warned drivers to avoid two particular models.
A popular automotive mechanic has taken to YouTube to share two used cars that appear to offer luxury and performance for a reasonable price, but can be a nightmare to maintain.
David Long is better known to YouTube viewers as Car Wizard and regularly appears in videos in which he works on a wide range of interesting models and shares advice that can help drivers own a dependable vehicle.
In a popular video, David discusses cheap used cars that can be very unreliable, warning viewers to be weary of any cheap examples of an Audi A8.
He advised: "After 100,000 miles these will always, always be broken, something will always be broken on them. And, when they do break, it will be £5,000 or £10,000 or £15,000 to fix them.
"Also, when they get to this age, the oil leaks don't stop, and they're usually a big tear down to get to things like oil coolers and seals and gaskets - some of them need you to take the engine out. It's a really big problem with oil leaks on all Audis but especially in these A8s."
Built since 1994 as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ, the Audi A8 is a hefty luxury saloon that looks attractive and often has a very long list of standard equipment.
With used examples available from around £2,500, the high-end model may seem incredibly tempting. However, David suggested that there is a reason why so many older examples are available to buy for reasonable prices.
In addition to a number of mechanical and electrical issues that can leave drivers feeling frustrated, the YouTuber noted that the A8 can be costly to run and maintain.
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Later in the video, David also suggested that used car buyers would be wise to avoid a second-hand Mazda RX-8, a compact sportscar that has a number of common faults.
He added: "These are absolute trash. If I could have a picture of a dumpster over here, that would be a Mazda RX-8, because they're junk and as a mechanic I just cannot recommend them. I frequently get phone calls saying 'my car won't start, it's lost compression, it runs really rough, it smokes'.
"After 60,000 to 70,000 miles, these engines are awful. They have major issues where they won't start, they easily flood, and they'll cause major repair bills for you. I guarantee that you'll regret it and good luck trying to find a workshop that will even touch an RX-8."
Built between 2004 to 2012, the Mazda RX-8 was a compact sports coupe that was notable for using a rotary engine. Despite being just a 1.3 petrol, the unconventional design was capable of making up to 238bhp.
Since models are getting older, many surviving examples can be bought for as little as £1,500. However, in order to remain trouble-free, drivers must make sure that they were correctly maintained throughout their life.
In addition to having poor fuel economy, rotary engines are known for being easily damaged if a driver revs it too much or runs low on oil. Doing so could lead to components wearing out at a very fast rate, requiring a complete engine rebuild.
