There are some cars that mechanics simply love to work on, vehicles with easily accessible parts that don’t pose a challenge to maintain. Cars like that simply make their lives easier.

However, there are others that mechanics would rather not deal with at all. In fact, some are a nightmare, either breaking down constantly or simply being difficult to work on.

This list includes 13 models mechanics would prefer not to touch. They will often frustrate even the best and most patient of people.

Audi A4

Audi’s reputation for easy-to-maintain cars sometimes holds up strong. However, the Audi A4 only sometimes lives up to this reputation, with major electronic issues being one of the model’s drawbacks.

It isn’t just electronic issues holding back the A4, though. As with many modern cars, the engine bay is incredibly tightly packed, if not too crowded, making it almost impossible for mechanics to perform some tasks or remove a part from within.

Toyota Prius

While the later generations of the Prius are better, earlier models from the mid-to-late 2000s have proven a major headache for many mechanics. This is largely due to the complex hybrid systems, which only official dealerships are likely to touch, leaving mechanics scratching their heads.

There is a saving grace: If you look under the hood of the Prius, you will find most of the components easily accessible. But should an issue ever arise with the hybrid side of things, you can expect a lot of frustration at any garage you take your Prius to.

Land Rover Range Rover

While there’s no denying the luxury and comfort a Range Rover offers, its reliability record isn’t the strongest. Land Rover has regularly come under fire for this, as well as for poor build quality in its cars.

This poor build quality goes beyond panel gaps and poor paintwork. Electric glitches are not uncommon on Range Rovers, and this even extends to worrying problems with the suspension systems and the engines themselves. This is why some people are wary of buying any Land Rover product.

Volkswagen Phaeton

While Audi suffers from issues that enrage mechanics, it’s not the only German car manufacturer that annoys those who work on its products. The Volkswagen Phaeton is another car loathed by mechanics for issues very similar to those of the Audi A4.

The complex electrical systems make working on the Phaeton a nightmare, even if it shares some components with other VW models. Another issue is the tightly packed engine bay, which makes maneuvering around with tools and hands difficult. Spare parts are also hard to come by as Volkswagen phased out Phaeton production in 2016.

Porsche Cayenne

For the most part, Porsche products are easy for mechanics to work on. However, the Cayenne is one of its less popular models, thanks to various components such as its active air suspension, all-wheel drive systems, and interconnected systems such as its engine management and suspension.

Porsche has manufactured the Cayenne since 2002, so spare parts might be hard to come by for mechanics working on earlier models. A lower number of spare parts but increased demand could see their prices skyrocket, further straining various mechanics.

Tesla Model Y

Thankfully, Tesla dealerships and service centers will likely handle most issues with any issue on your Tesla Model Y. However, the fact that the Model Y is considered unreliable could be better, and the model has already had one NHTSA recall due to incorrect font size on its warning lights.

The J.D. Power rankings for the Model Y make for grim reading, too. It scores just 70/100 for reliability, which is quite a step below many of its rivals and even below some older gasoline-powered cars. It backs up the quality control issues Tesla has repeatedly faced over the years.

Cadillac LYRIQ

The Cadillac LYRIQ marked the American manufacturer’s first foray into the luxury electric SUV market. As with all first attempts, sometimes they don’t go quite according to plan, and it’s not been the easiest of rides so far for the LYRIQ.

The NHTSA has already issued two recalls, one for insufficient wire insulation in the electric motor and the other for a poorly welded seat belt bracket. These issues bring its reliability score down to just 60/100 on J.D. Power.

Fiat 500

There is one thing that the modern version of the Fiat 500 is famous for, and that is its truly terrible reliability. The Fiat 500 is well known for engine issues, poor assembly, exhausts falling off, and even more problems, but for mechanics, these issues get worse and worse.

Thanks to its tiny engine bay and limited space, workers find it harder to access various components. Fiat also needs to give the 500 the most user-friendly engine layouts, and it’s a nightmare to try to access components such as the car’s cooling systems.

Jeep Renegade

It probably comes as no surprise that mechanics don’t always view Jeep products favorably. Older versions of the Jeep Renegade share some components with the Fiat 500X, the SUV version of the Fiat 500. As a result, the Renegade suffers from reliability issues similar to those of both the standard 500 and its SUV cousin.

This means that while Jeep maximized the space it had for the engine, its layout made it a nightmare for mechanics to work on. This is a particularly frustrating problem when it comes to routine maintenance, with components such as spark plugs and timing belts hard to access.

DeLorean DMC-12

It’s time for something a bit different now: the 1982 DeLorean DMC-12. The DMC-12 was the sports car created by John DeLorean’s new company, making its debut in the early 1980s. Thanks to the 130-horsepower Peugeot-Renault-Volvo 1.85-liter V6 engine, the DMC-12 became famous for its poor performance.

However, other issues hurt the DMC-12, too. It was poorly made with poorly fitting panels, and reliability was also a question mark. It comes as no surprise that, as restoration projects, mechanics would rather have something a bit simpler to work on.

Chevrolet Spark

General Motors discontinued the Chevrolet Spark in 2022, and the American automotive giant blamed this on low sales and decreasing demand for the city car. However, the reality goes beyond low demand; maintaining it is a nightmare for those working on it.

Like the Fiat 500, the Spark’s compact size made maintaining it tricky. The one bonus, however, was that thanks to its compact engine bay, the Spark was able to maximize the interior space.

Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg SUV’s issues aren’t just poor build quality or a lack of reliability. It also faces the unusual issue of being overengineered. Like many German cars, the Touareg is an intricate machine and thus more complex to repair than, say, an American SUV.

The over-engineered nature of the Touareg, however, does mean it is comfortable, spacious, and, for the most part, very reliable. It’s just unfortunate that the positives make it a nightmare for those who work on it.

BMW 7 Series

BMW’s products are generally reliable, safe, and relatively user-friendly when it comes to maintenance. However, the 7 Series is an exception to this rule, with its complex nature and sophisticated components often causing trouble for mechanics and garages.

Working around features such as the BMW iDrive infotainment system can often be a pain, as can working with the dynamic damper control and integrated active steering. The worry is breaking something else out of these components while trying to fix another one.