I'm a Car Expert: 5 Popular Luxury Cars I'd Skip in 2026MoneyLionG. Brian DavisFri, September 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleiStock.comLuxury cars tend to offer little tangible value over strong trims of standard cars, other than serving as status symbols. But signaling your wealth will cost you — not just at the dealership, but in fast depreciation and expensive maintenance.In particular, car experts warn against these luxury cars that will waste both your money and your time while the car sits idle at the repair shop.1. Land Rover Range RoverPeople love the combination of luxury and ruggedness that the Range Rover promises. They don't love how often it visits the mechanic.AdvertisementAdvertisement"Range Rovers become very expensive due to the air suspension failures, cooling system leaks, electrical issues and drivetrain malfunctions," explains mechanic Alan Gelfand of the German Car Depot. "A used Range Rover can look like a bargain compared to the price of new vehicles, but a few major repairs can erase those savings quickly."Sure enough, J.D. Power found that Land Rovers come with the third-highest number of repair problems, with 274 problems per 100 vehicles. Land Rovers rank among the least dependable cars on the planet.These SUVs start at $115,750, although the highest trim starts at $277,450 per Kelley Blue Book. And as Gelfand alluded to, their value plummets like a lead weight.2. BMW 7 SeriesBMW's full-size sedans also cost a pretty penny, starting at $101,350. And that's just the start of the ownership costs.AdvertisementAdvertisement"We constantly see these BMWs in our shop because they're full of advanced tech features, complex and overengineered cooling systems and expensive suspension parts," Gelfand said. "If you must buy one, you get one that is still under warranty from the manufacturer, or purchase an extended warranty that will cover all of the most important and expensive components likely to fail."Bear in mind that when you find a mechanic to fix a BMW, you'll pay more for both labor and parts. Nothing is cheap for luxury cars.3. Audi A8The same goes for Audi's full-size luxury sedans: They're expensive from purchase to scrapyard. With trims starting at $96,395, most A8 trims cost six figures.They'll cost a small fortune to maintain, as well. Audis experience 244 problems per 100 vehicles per J.D. Power, putting them near the bottom of the pack for reliability.AdvertisementAdvertisementGelfand urges buyers to avoid the A8 altogether. He said, "Air suspension, control modules, the infotainment system, and the very advanced safety equipment this car is built with can make this a very expensive car in the long run."4. Volvo EX30What brand ranks worse than Land Rovers and Audis for dependability? Volvo.Compared to many luxury SUVs, the EX30 is affordable, starting at $40,245. But you'll cough up plenty more money for repairs and maintenance — and bothersome feature design."This electric car is full of problems," shares auto expert Melanie Musson with AutoInsurance.org. "One issue is overheating, and to fix it, you have to keep charging to under 70%, which results in an annoying loss of range. Another feature that irritates owners is the infotainment screen, which is the only way to adjust many of the car's features."5. Infiniti QX80Overpriced, problem-ridden luxury cars don't just come from Europe. Musson points to the Infiniti QX80 as a prime example.AdvertisementAdvertisement"If a car loses half of its value over five years, it's not great, but it's average," she noted. "The QX80 loses half its value in the first three years. Then, it continues to depreciate, so by year five, owners have lost almost $70,000 in value."She's not kidding. CarEdge puts the QX80's five-year depreciation at 69%, dropping from a new price of $99,476 to year-five value of just $30,857.Gelfand urges anyone who looks at a used luxury car and sees a bargain to consider why the car has depreciated so much."Most times you are buying into years of deferred maintenance, making the car a ticking time bomb," he said. "I recommend buyers look for a well-maintained Lexus or Acura for a luxury car that won't spend every other week in the shop."AdvertisementAdvertisementThis article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.More From MoneyLion:Looking to Buy Investment Properties? These Loans Offer Fast FundingSave Up to $1,100 on Car Insurance in MinutesForbes' Most Trusted Gold Company of 2026 — See Why Investors Are Taking NoticeCash In Your Unused Gold at Today's Top Prices