A veteran auto mechanic has identified four luxury sedans that could drain your wallet in 2026, despite their premium appeal. Alan Gelfand of the German Car Depot warns buyers about Chrysler 300, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7 Series, all of which suffer from reliability issues and exorbitant repair costs.

While sedans generally outperform SUVs in reliability rankings, these German and American luxury models buck the trend. J.D. Power ranks Chrysler second-to-last in dependability, with Consumer Reports placing it 22nd out of 26 brands. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class faces frequent suspension failures and infotainment breakdowns, with five-year ownership costs reaching $122,656 according to CarEdge.

Audi A8 owners can expect 273 problems per 100 vehicles, with average five-year ownership costs of $97,942. The BMW 7 Series fares similarly poorly, earning a "D-" value grade with $115,676 in expected ownership costs over five years. Gelfand attributes these issues to complex electronics, expensive components, and patterns of deteriorating parts at higher mileages.