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UK Mechanic Sends HUGE WARNING: Don't Buy NEW Vehicles in 2026

Roy Stroud

17,763 views

0:00 A mechanic's warning against buying new cars in 2026 due to subscriptions, data collection, and manufacturer control.
0:19 Ford BlueCruise
3:45 Mercedes acceleration upgrade
6:58 Secure gateway
10:31 Tesla Premium Connectivity
13:06 Advanced driver distraction warning
16:12 Volkswagen ID.4
16:40 A message on the screen, and a car that would not go
18:36 Fisker Ocean
19:46 No recall, because there is nobody to issue one
23:23 A key that any locksmith can cut

I reveal why a new car in 2026 may feel less like something you own and more like a subscription you rent.

I count down seven vehicles and the ways manufacturers can control features, charge recurring fees, collect data, restrict independent repairs, change software remotely, and leave owners dependent on company servers. I cover Ford BlueCruise, Mercedes acceleration upgrades, secure gateways, Tesla Premium Connectivity, driver-monitoring cameras, the Volkswagen ID.4, and the Fisker Ocean.

I also explain what to ask before signing for a new car, including which features require subscriptions, whether an independent garage can fix and program it, and what happens if the manufacturer’s servers go offline. Finally, I compare this approach with older cars that still have a proper key and accessible diagnostic systems.

14 Comments

@CTgrump 2 weeks ago

Our politicians are too corrupt to stop this crap in its tracks and most of us don't know about these scams. Nightmare. I was going to buy a car this month but now shelved plans.

@boxerkhan9627 13 days ago

Unbelievable ............. All the vehicles will be subscription based and there is nothing we can do about it. STEALERSHIP is ready to suck all of your blood.

@GWAYGWAY1 2 weeks ago

I bought an ex PCP. SMart forfour electric, I love that little car as it is nice to drive and be in.. However there are functions the cover preheating and charging don over the phone using the app from Mercedes, the week that I bought it at three years old the app was disabled. So I cannot remotely set the heating and delisting prior to getting into it on a cold morning. They could have just left the app as usable leaving it like that but no they disabled the car no comeback and no using the functions , just gone.

@Road-zx 13 days ago

I'm amazed by those idiots who buy overpriced modern junk cars and then complain when they discover they have to pay a monthly subscription to use features that are already built into the car. Wake up! You're becoming the bridge these greedy corporations are using to bring this nonsense into the next generation. Today, it's heated seats. Tomorrow, they might charge you a subscription to open your electric windows, use your sunroof, activate Sport mode, unlock more engine power, or use adaptive headlights. The danger isn't just the subscription you're paying today. It's the future you're helping to create by accepting the idea that you can own a car without truly owning all of its features. Stop normalizing this greed before subscriptions become the price of everything.

@EddyMann-k6n 12 days ago

Your buying features u did not know about…..If you understood before what you were getting …. YOU WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE…..

@ron2256 2 weeks ago

I'm staying with my old cars. New cars are rubbish, just computers on wheels. And the ISA system can report you for speeding.. and so many sensors and computers, they can crash themselves

@superchargedxjr 2 weeks ago

Performance enhancement. Surely, the insurer will want to increase the premium.

@ICB72 2 weeks ago

This is legalised extorstion and should be banned

@tombasal-x8s 2 weeks ago

No wonder the car manufactures are going bust,what a con, will people put up with this nonsense , most will have second thoughts im sure .

@ron2256 2 weeks ago

Anything connected to the internet can be hacked.

@ron2256 2 weeks ago

You will own nothing, go nowhere but you will be happy 😂😂

@ron2256 2 weeks ago

Anything Stellantis is rubbish

@davidyoung9561 2 weeks ago

I will stick with my 1982 Volvo with none of this crap.

@stelleratorsuprise8185 13 days ago (edited)

A lot of the new cars have shitty but mandatory assistant systems.
They are often shitty because they are not reliable enough, making annoying alarms without reason.
And because they are mandatory they are always switched on if you are starting your car,
you can buy CAN modules that does deactivate them but it will cost you your money.