Not every car ages well once it hits the secondhand market. Some vehicles that seemed like a good deal when new now gather dust on dealership lots or linger on classified ads for months with little more than low ball offers. Canadian buyers have become especially cautious, valuing reliability, low maintenance costs, and practicality over styling quirks or bargain basement prices. Add in harsh winters, high repair bills, and shifting demand toward SUVs and crossovers, and the result is that certain models are practically unsellable north of the border. Here are twelve used cars that Canadian buyers are avoiding in droves.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey once filled rental fleets and driveways across the country because it was cheap, spacious, and came loaded with incentives. But its outdated design, unrefined driving experience, and questionable build quality have destroyed its resale appeal. The interior feels dated, the engines are underpowered, and long term reliability has been poor. Canadian buyers know this reputation well, which is why used Journeys often sit for months with no takers. Even deeply discounted examples are tough to move because buyers see them as money pits waiting to happen.
Chrysler 200
When Chrysler launched the 200, it was meant to be a stylish midsize sedan to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Instead, it quickly became known for a cramped interior, an awkward nine speed automatic transmission, and below average reliability. The decline of sedans only accelerated its downfall. In Canada, where families gravitate toward crossovers and trucks, a discontinued midsize sedan with a shaky reputation has almost no audience. Even well equipped used models are heavily devalued, making them some of the least desirable cars on the market.
Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L attempted to expand the charm of the tiny Fiat 500 into a family friendly format, but it fell flat. Canadians were turned off by its awkward proportions, confusing interior design, and most importantly, poor reliability. Parts availability has also been a major problem, as Fiat’s dealer network is sparse across Canada. That means used 500Ls not only have a bad reputation, they also scare off buyers who worry about how they will get them serviced. Even fans of quirky European cars shy away, leaving these models stranded on the used market.
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala once dominated rental fleets and government contracts, and for decades it was one of Canada’s most popular large sedans. But its time has passed. Discontinued in 2020, the Impala has no new presence in the market, and with SUVs taking over family duty, demand has vanished. Large sedans like this also struggle in Canada’s used market because buyers worry about fuel economy and resale value. Even immaculate, low mileage examples are difficult to move, often fetching only a fraction of their original price.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta was praised when new for its fun handling and affordable price, but its legacy has been tarnished by widespread issues with the dual clutch transmission. Class action lawsuits in both the U.S. and Canada have left the Fiesta with a reputation for failure that cannot be shaken. Used buyers have no interest in gambling on expensive transmission repairs. Even when priced lower than competitors, Fiestas are routinely passed over for Japanese compacts with better reliability. For many Canadian shoppers, this car is considered toxic in the used market.
Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster stood out with its sporty styling and unusual three door layout. It was aimed at younger buyers who wanted something unique. Unfortunately, that novelty wore off quickly. Its cramped back seat and limited practicality made it unappealing as an everyday car, and in Canada where buyers expect versatility, its flaws became dealbreakers. On the used market, its quirky design is more of a liability than an asset. While it is not inherently unreliable, its reputation as an oddball with limited demand has made it very hard to sell.
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart was supposed to reestablish Dodge in the compact car segment, but it failed to capture any real market share. Critics panned its lack of refinement, mediocre fuel economy, and uninspiring design. Dodge itself quickly abandoned sedans in favor of SUVs and trucks, leaving Dart owners with little support. In the Canadian used market, where compact buyers lean heavily toward Civics and Corollas, the Dart has no chance. Even priced aggressively, used Darts often sit unsold because buyers see them as outdated and irrelevant.
Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra built a reputation as Canada’s cheapest new car. It was popular among first time buyers, city drivers, and even race enthusiasts in the Micra Cup. But its bare bones nature means it has aged poorly. The lack of modern safety tech, low power output, and cheap interior materials turn buyers off today. In the used market, Canadians prefer to pay a little more for something like a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, which are far more durable. This leaves the Micra languishing unsold despite its low prices.
Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat once appealed to buyers who wanted a German alternative to mainstream midsize sedans. But high maintenance costs, complicated electronics, and a shaky reputation for reliability have destroyed its resale value in Canada. Competing models like the Camry and Accord dominate the used segment because they are known to last with fewer problems. Canadian buyers looking at a used Passat often turn away the moment they research repair costs. As a result, these cars are often traded in cheap and sit for months before finding a buyer.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is efficient and affordable, but it has become a symbol of settling for less. Its tiny three cylinder engine, cheap interior, and lack of refinement make it feel outdated compared to nearly every rival. In Canada, where winters demand durability and drivers need comfort on long trips, the Mirage feels out of place. Its low purchase price cannot overcome its reputation, and used buyers would rather choose a slightly older Honda or Toyota for peace of mind. Even though it gets great fuel economy, it has almost no resale market.
Chevrolet Sonic
The Chevrolet Sonic had a decent run as a small car for budget buyers, but like many compacts, it has been abandoned by both GM and Canadian consumers. Its discontinuation hurt its reputation, and stories of reliability issues only made things worse. With compact cars largely falling out of favor, the Sonic has no niche left. Used Sonics often languish on dealer lots with little to no interest, making them one of the hardest GM cars to move today.
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo was designed for narrow European streets, not Canada’s vast highways and brutal winters. While it fit into tight city parking spaces, it was painfully impractical for most Canadian drivers. The lack of power, minimal cargo space, and poor stability on highways doomed it. In the used market, its drawbacks far outweigh its novelty. Even at rock bottom prices, buyers pass it over for more versatile compact cars. Dealers have largely given up trying to push them, and sellers often struggle to find a buyer willing to live with its limitations.
Why These Cars Have Failed in the Used Market
The Canadian used car market rewards practicality, dependability, and comfort. Vehicles that fall short in these areas quickly lose value. Cars with poor reputations, discontinued models, or quirky designs that lack mainstream appeal are almost impossible to sell. In many cases, sellers are forced to accept deep losses or watch their vehicles sit unsold. Buyers, on the other hand, are more informed than ever and prefer vehicles with strong reliability records, good parts availability, and reputations for longevity. These twelve models are examples of what happens when cars miss the mark in the long run, and in Canada’s competitive used car landscape, that means they are nearly impossible to move.
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