Infotainment / software / general electrical gremlins
This is the number-one modern-car nuisance. What Car? says electrical issues, including sat-nav/infotainment, are the most common complaints across brands. The single worst example I found is the Volkswagen Tiguan (2024-present): 64.2% reliability, and 81% of cars in the survey had some kind of fault; 31% of issues were infotainment-related, with 19% each for brakes and non-engine electrics. Other bad examples: Skoda Superb PHEV (infotainment 33%), Cupra Ateca (25%), Volvo EX30 (24%), Mercedes GLB (29% had faults, mainly electrical/infotainment), Volkswagen Golf diesel (11% infotainment, 11% non-engine electrics). Source Source Source Source Source Source
ADAS cameras, sensors and windscreen recalibration
This is where a “small repair” turns into a stupid bill. Thatcham says windscreen-mounted ADAS calibration can range from £0 to £700, and that average repair bills had risen 32% in three years to £1,678. It gave two very clear examples: a Ford Focus windscreen replacement with ADAS can rise 123%, and a VW Golf by 78%, once calibration is factored in. This is one of the clearest cases of new-car tech turning ordinary ownership into a money pit. Source