John Ling’s journey with car repair began out of necessity. As a young man eager to transform his 1980s Ford Ranger pickup into something special, he found himself without any assistance. Faced with no other option, he took matters into his own hands, setting the stage for a lifelong vocation in automotive mechanics.

Now at 53, Ling owns NEK Collision in Lyndonville, Vermont. His expertise spans a wide array of vehicles, from vintage models and stylish convertibles to the latest hybrids. Through years spent beneath the hoods of countless cars, he has become well-versed in the intricacies of automotive repair.

Ling’s extensive experience, marked by oil-stained hands and many a scraped knuckle, has provided him with a keen insight into which vehicles are built to last and which are more likely to leave you stranded by the roadside. Notably, he harbors a certain skepticism towards German automobiles and electric vehicles, advising those in the market for a reliable truck to consider Japanese brands.

When it comes to cars — from old bangers and sleek convertibles to new hybrids and everything in between — he’s seen it all, delving under the hoods and wrestling with the innards. 

Those long years of grease-stained hands and busted knuckles have taught Ling which models will go the distance — and which will leave you stranded on the side of the road.

(Hint: He’s not a fan of German cars or EVs and says if you want to buy a truck, go Japanese.)

Below, he reveals his top cars to avoid and those that will save thousands of dollars in repair bills — and why.

Avoid: Audi A4

Ling warns the German midsize sedan’s high-tech wizardry can turn into an electrical nightmare, leaving owners with a dashboard full of cryptic warning lights. 

In fact, he believes this model is symptomatic of a much bigger issue plaguing European luxury brands. 

‘[For] all the European luxury cars, they push their technology advancements out before they’re ready,’ he says. ‘They start having random computer, module, or sensor failures.’ 

He predicts these cars will experience such failures in just four to six years. 

The A4 starts at $42,000, and Ling acknowledges that it’s an excellent driving machine. 

However, he warns that its highly specialized wheel bearings and suspension components, which contribute to the smooth ride, are costly to replace. 

‘They drive tremendously,’ he said. ‘But if you want something that you’re not going to have to have a lot of mechanical work done, I would avoid it.’ 

Avoid: Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta is the more affordable German cousin of the A4, but according to Ling, it doesn’t fare much better in the long run. 

With a starting price of $21,995, it’s one of the lowest-priced new sedans on the market. 

At first, the Jetta runs smooth, but once it’s clocked 80,000 miles, Ling says the honeymoon’s over. Expensive repairs pile up, and owners start questioning their financial choices. 

‘Then, they start to become very unreliable,’ he said. 

The Jetta also suffers from the same parts supply issues as its more luxurious counterpart. 

Because Volkswagen uses parts that are less available in the U.S. market, Ling says, parts swaps in a Jetta will cost ’30 to 60 percent’ more than other cars. 

Avoid: Ford F-150

The F-150 is America’s best-selling truck, and Ling says its long-term durability is worth the price. 

But the fan-favorite truck has a major flaw, by his estimation: its build materials. 

To cut weight, Ford leans on aluminum molds for the truck’s structure, while competitors such as the Chevy Silverado, Ram series, and Toyota Tundra opt for high-strength steel. 

That design choice makes the F-150 more fuel-efficient, but Ling warns that unlike steel, aluminum ‘crumples’ differently. It also makes repairs trickier and pricier. 

That hasn’t stopped Ford from dominating the truck market. 

The company moved a staggering 732,139 F-Series trucks in 2024. The Silverado came in second with 542,517 units sold. 

Ling doesn’t deny the F-150’s reliability, but when it comes to rugged longevity, he thinks buyers might be better off looking elsewhere. 

Pricing for the F-150 starts at $38,810, but Performance and Platinum trims can reach upwards of $80,000. 

Buy: top-trim Toyota Camry (especially the hybrid)

Japanese manufacturer Toyota makes the best reliable, long-term, cost-efficient ownership car, Ling says. 

And if reliability is the goal, he believes drivers can’t go wrong with a Toyota Camry — especially if you’re willing to splurge on a higher trim. 

‘If you buy a low-end Toyota Camry, they’re not as insulated, they aren’t as quiet,’ he advised. 

Unlike its German peers, Toyota’s manufacturing process ensures its parts are already flowing through vehicle supply markets. 

And because Japanese manufacturers don’t fully reinvent parts for every car, they are able to share similar parts. Ling says this makes Japanese cars less expensive to repair than other brands. 

He also prefers Toyota’s fit and finish over other best-selling cars. 

‘[The difference between Toyota and Honda] usually comes down to the longevity of the interior trims,’ he said. 

‘Mechanically, they’re both very reliable. But Toyota has a little better build quality to their interior finishes, and they hold out better.’ 

Ling adds there is a hidden benefit in the Camry’s hybrid powertrain — which combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and is present in all 2025 Camrys — for backseat passengers. 

The thousand-pound battery mounted underneath the seat inadvertently functions as insulation, reducing external road noise, even when the car hits highway speeds.  

‘When you’re in the backseat, you’re sitting over the heavy battery,’ he said.

‘That itself is a sound-deadening structure inside of the car.’

Entry-level Camrys start at $28,700. Top-tier models will set customers back around $35,000. 

Buy: Ram 1500

Ling has driven a Ram pickup for years, and his experience with the standard-duty truck speaks volumes about the brand’s engineering prowess. 

While Ram (formerly under the Dodge umbrella) has faced formidable sales competition from Ford and Chevrolet, the 1500 is Ling’s go-to for longevity. 

‘Dodge makes a lot of really reliable vehicles,’ he said.

However, he points to a significant caveat in the American pickup ecosystem: the increasingly complex parts supply chain. 

Unlike their Japanese counterparts, American manufacturers have developed a heavy reliance on third-party suppliers for critical components, a system that often translates to steeper repair costs for owners. 

That likely isn’t helped by Ram’s recent moves to bring back its larger, heavier V8 Hemi engine.  

‘If you want a really cost-efficient car to repair, American trucks are not it,’ Ling added. 

But he doesn’t believe the Ram truck will need much in the way of repairs. 

The Ram 1500 starts at $42,270. Premium add-ons can bring the truck’s price up to around $89,000. 

Budget Buy: Kia K4 

For price-conscious consumers navigating today’s increasingly expensive car market, Kia has emerged as an unexpected powerhouse in the reliability department, according to Ling. 

The Korean automaker’s entry-level K4 represents what might be the most compelling value proposition in today’s sedan market. 

‘After 2010, Kia and Hyundai really stepped up in making some of the most reliable cars on the road,’ he added. 

The mechanic’s endorsement isn’t just professional observation — it’s personal. Ling’s own 2016 Kia Optima serves as his daily drive, having crossed the 100,000-mile threshold with only minor maintenance needs. 

This reliability narrative is further reinforced by Kia’s industry-leading powertrain warranty, which covers critical engine components for 10 years or 100,000 miles — a guarantee that has helped transform the once-budget brand into a legitimate competitor in the automotive space. 

‘My Optima has been an excellent, reliable car,’ Ling said. 

The K4’s price starts at $21,990 and tops out over $29,000.