'I'm a mechanic - these are the most problematic car brands in my country'

An expert mechanic with years of experience has highlighted the best cars out there - and he’s also listed the most problematic car brands. Known as Spain's best mechanic, Carlos Pérez has revealed the most reliable and the most troublesome car brands.

He said that ‘just by looking at a car, I can tell if it will be back in the workshop’, detailing his expertise on working out whether a car model is ‘built to last’. Pérez assures that with a simple glance, it’s easy to know the best from the most problematic. The expert has been likened to the new ‘Ballon d’Or of mechanics’ in Spain.

This professional from Talleres Gabilondo, in Valladolid, has been proclaimed this year’s MVP of the Workshop by ‘La Comunidad del Taller and Intea Automoción’, the organisers of the competition.

With this victory, he takes over from Javier Sendín, a mechanic at Cardiocar in Salamanca, and consolidates himself as one of the leading figures in the sector.

And over the years, Carlos Pérez has earned the trust of many drivers.

He has seen all sorts of cars pass through his workshop, which allows him to speak with authority about which brands fail more often and which ones are more durable.

The Valladolid mechanic has bigged up the reliability of Asian brands, especially Japanese and Korean car models.

When it comes to highlighting which manufacturers cause fewer headaches to owners, Carlos Pérez is clear.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, he said: “The best brands are Asian, especially Japanese - Honda, Mazda, Toyota.

“These cars are very reliable, well-made, and can do many miles without problems and let’s not forget Kia and Hyundai either; they’re Korean and have always been a guarantee of quality.”

Chinese cars are gaining ground, but their maintenance still poses challenges due to the availability of spare parts, he detailed.

There are also Chinese models that are starting to make their mark on the market, although Pérez points out that some clarification is needed.

“You mostly see mid-range cars, which are gradually improving, but where they really surprise is in high-end models that can compete in quality and technology with any European brand,” he explains.

The problem, he adds, is that they’re still quite rare and their maintenance can become complicated if you need a specific part.

He explained: “You have to bear in mind that many spare parts come directly from China, and that can lengthen repair times.”

On the other hand, there are manufacturers whose track record in workshops is much less positive.

When asked about those that tend to cause more problems, Pérez doesn’t hesitate to mention Land Rover and Jaguar.

“They have a very bad reputation - and deservedly so,” he states.

However, on Trustpilot, some customers praise Land Rover vehicles as 'superb' - and some Jaguar are 'so happy' with their purchase, but there are also alot of not so positve Trustpilot reviews on these vehicles.

According to his experience, these vehicles present all kinds of faults – from electronic failures to engine problems – as well as questionable build quality.

“Sometimes just by seeing how a car is put together, you know it’ll be back in the workshop,” he sums up.

In his opinion, current models from the PSA Group – which includes brands like Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel – as well as those from Fiat Group (now part of Stellantis), don’t fare well either.

He said: “Twenty years ago, Peugeot was an excellent brand, but now it’s lost a lot in terms of reliability. And it’s the same with Fiat.”

He also points out that the build quality of many American cars is inferior to European ones, and much more so compared to Japanese cars.

The way ‘electrical wiring is laid out, the quality of fastenings’ are details ‘you don’t see, but they end up causing problems over time’, he concludes.

Beyond specific names, Perez insists that many problems come from details not always visible at first glance.

“A Japanese car might have its cables well protected and properly placed; in other models, those same cables are badly positioned, get hotter, or end up fraying,” he explains.

The difference, he says, lies in small engineering touches that ultimately affect a car’s durability.

Pérez emphasises that, although Japanese cars are well received in Europe, the market doesn't receive the full variety of models available in other regions.

He said that in Spain they ‘only get a few Japanese models’ whereas in the United States or Asia, ‘there's a much wider variety’.

“It seems they're not as interested in bringing them to Europe,” he comments.

Among his personal recommendations, he mentions the Honda Accord, a model he describes as “balanced, comfortable, and durable”.

“It's a well-made car, it doesn't have too much technology, but it excels in terms of reliability and everyday use, which is ultimately what matters most,” he concludes.