A cheap European car can get expensive fast if you buy the wrong one. Each guide covers one engine family: the known problems by mileage, real repair prices from our owner reports, and a checklist to take to a pre-purchase inspection.
ImportRepairCost › Buying used
Buying a used import
What breaks, when it breaks, what owners paid to fix it, and what to have checked before you buy.
BMWBMW 335i (N54)2007–2010 335i, 2008–2010 135i and 535i, plus 335is, 1M and Z4 35i/35is. Twin-turbo 3.0 inline six.Read the guide →
AudiAudi A4 / VW GTI 2.0T (EA888)Audi A4/A5/Q5 2.0T and VW GTI, GLI, Golf R, Passat, Tiguan and others with the EA888 2.0T. Gen 1/2 roughly 2008–2014, Gen 3 from about 2015 depending on model.Read the guide →
SubaruSubaru WRX / Forester (EJ25)Subaru Forester, Outback, Legacy and Impreza with the 2.5 EJ25 (non-turbo, roughly through 2010–2012 depending on model), plus turbo WRX (2008–2014), STI, Forester XT and Legacy GT.Read the guide →
PorschePorsche 996/997 (M96/M97)911 Carrera (996 and 997.1), Boxster (986 and 987.1) and Cayman (987.1) with the M96 or M97 flat six. Not the Turbo, GT2 or GT3, which use a different engine.Read the guide →
MINIMINI Cooper S (N14/N18)MINI Cooper S hatch, Clubman, convertible and Countryman, roughly 2007–2016, with the 1.6 turbo N14 (earlier) or N18 (later).Read the guide →
Mercedes-BenzMercedes C/E-Class (M272)Mercedes-Benz with the M272 V6, roughly 2005–2014: C230/C280/C300/C350, E350, ML350, SLK350, CLK350 and others.Read the guide →
Toyota/LexusToyota/Lexus 3.5 V6 (2GR)Toyota Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna, RAV4 V6, Venza and Lexus ES350, RX350 and others with the 2GR-FE 3.5 V6.Read the guide →
Honda/AcuraHonda/Acura J35 V6Honda Accord V6, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and Acura TL, MDX, RL, RDX (2013+) and others with the J-series V6.Read the guide →Got an online estimate and a quote that don't match? How to read both →