10 Signs a New Car Will Be Hard to Sell in 5 Years, According to Experts

Not all new cars age well. Some lose value fast, while others become nearly impossible to sell just a few years down the road. Automotive experts say resale value isn’t about looks alone it’s about reliability, demand, and long-term ownership costs. In this video, we’ll break down 10 signs a new car will be hard to sell in five years, so you don’t end up stuck with a vehicle nobody wants.

Tesla Model 3

So, here’s the thing, the Tesla Model 3 is cool right now. It’s sleek, fast, techy, and everyone wants to say they own an EV. But, uh, not gonna lie, I’m not sure how well these will age in like five years. The tech moves so fast, it’s like owning an iPhone that can drive. New battery chemistry, better range, cheaper competitors all coming. Plus, repairs? Yikes. Around $40,000 now, but resale could be tricky once the next-gen Teslas or other EVs make this one look like “last year’s model.” You know?

Nissan Leaf

Ah, the Leaf. Sweet little electric thing, but, man, depreciation hits these like a bus. I mean, yeah, they’re affordable for an EV, around $30,000 or so, and quiet and smooth and all that good stuff. But the range just can’t keep up with newer EVs popping out every few months. And once the battery starts aging, buyers run for the hills. Environmentally friendly, yes, resale-friendly, not so much.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Okay, so… bless its heart, but the Mirage has never really been “that car.” It’s cheap, yes, about $17,000 new, super fuel-efficient, and kind of cute if you squint. But it’s also loud, slow, and, you know, built with more plastic than a Lego set. It’s the kind of car you buy because it’s cheap, not because you love it. And buyers know that, so selling it down the road can be like, “Oh, you still have that?”

Chrysler Pacifica

Minivans just don’t have it easy, do they? The Pacifica’s actually nice inside lots of tech, comfy seats, family vibes but people aren’t really buying minivans like they used to. They’re all obsessed with SUVs now. So, five years from now, when it’s got crumbs in the seat rails and kid mystery stains on the upholstery, it’s gonna be a tough sell. Around $40,000 new, which kinda hurts to think about when resale drops like a rock.

Jaguar I-PACE

Luxury electric cars are kinda tricky. The I-PACE is fast and gorgeous and all that, but, you know, Jaguar hasn’t exactly nailed reliability. And buyers get nervous about battery-powered luxury vehicles because they don’t know what repair bills will look like later. Costs like $70,000 new, and five years out? Yeah, it might sit on the lot longer than it should. Great to drive, questionable to own long-term.

Volkswagen Arteon

The Arteon’s one of those cars that’s, like, way prettier than people give it credit for. It looks like a luxury coupe, drives nice, solid interior. But here’s the problemnobody really knows it exists. VW just can’t seem to market it right. And it’s already over $43,000 new, so when it comes time to sell it, there’ll be fewer buyers out there even looking for one. It’s a shame because it’s genuinely good, but rarity doesn’t always help resale.

GMC Hummer EV

So, the Hummer EV is insane. Like, 9,000 pounds of electric chaos. It’s got wild power and crazy features and costs over $100,000. But man, I just don’t see this thing aging well. People will realize in a few years that charging a Hummer takes forever and maneuvering it in a parking lot feels like docking a yacht. Cool now, probably not cool later. It’s kinda like owning a flex more than a car.

Infiniti Q50

The Q50 used to be awesome that snappy V6, sporty looks, all that. But Infiniti’s kinda… faded, you know? Like they’re stuck in 2015. Interiors look old, tech feels dated, and new buyers don’t exactly line up for ‘em anymore. Around $43,000 new and decent to drive, sure, but resale in five years? Mmm, probably rough. You’ll find a buyer eventually, but it might take a while and a discount or two.

Fiat 500X

Okay, I actually kinda like the Fiat 500X. It’s cute, quirky, fun around town. But I’ll be honest — Americans just don’t really go for it. It’s small, it’s Italian, and the brand doesn’t have the best reliability rep here. Around $30,000, and I swear, depreciation sneaks up faster than morning coffee. It’s one of those cars people buy for personality, not practicality, which can be a tough sell later.

Lincoln Corsair

Lincoln’s doing this weird dance where they make really nice interiors but still struggle to shake that “old-school” image. The Corsair’s comfy, kind of a baby Navigator vibe, around $40,000 new, but in five years? Eh. The luxury compact SUV market’s so crowded now that resale will take a hit. I mean, it’s not bad or anything, just not… unforgettable, you know? And that’s what hurts value.