According to a roadside assistance technician, there are certain cars you should steer clear of.
Nothing captures people's attention more than a 'good' horror story about the reliability of specific cars - and it's not like the internet is short of such stories.
It can be hard to discern which cars are reliable and which are not, due to the plethora of differing opinions and a lack of concrete data.
But who knows more about unreliable cars than a roadside assistance technician? After all, they are the ones we call when our car breaks down.
Drive.com.au spoke with Rob, a roadside assistance technician with nearly 20 years in the field. He provided insights into which cars, in his experience, break down the most.
Rob points out that small Chevrolet Cruze cars and the mid-sized SUV Chevrolet Captiva are some of the worst, and he suggests people avoid them.
"Everything is wrong with them. Wiring fails, batteries fail, alternators fail. Wheel bearings, drive shafts, gearboxes - you name it - they break.”
He also warns against the Ford Focus from around 2010 - especially the second generation. According to Rob, they have numerous issues like cracked plastic parts in the engine compartment and electrical faults.
And if you're considering a used Fiat, Chrysler, or Jeep, think twice. Rob advises avoiding anything from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Fiat family due to their numerous electrical problems and unreliability.
Rob suggests that if you're buying used, make sure the car comes with a warranty.
