The Luxury Vehicle That's One Of The Most Frequently Resold Cars

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a strong example of how a luxury badge can speed up buyer's remorse instead of preventing it. In iSeeCars' study of the new cars most likely to be resold within the first year, the GLB ranked third overall, with 21.2% of its units entering the resale market within the first year after they're purchased — nearly six times the study's 3.6% overall average. The average new price for the GLB in that analysis was $51,015. However, this model starts new at $43,800, suggesting many of the units being resold are higher-end trims.

Notably, even the base-model GLB has a respectable reputation and build. It features a powerful 221-horsepower engine, and Edmunds reports it offers fuel economy up to 25 miles per gallon in cities and 33 on highways. For an additional fee, the GLB can also be configured with optional third-row seating, making it appear like a viable option for a wide demographic of drivers.

The catch is that the GLB's appeal fades once those monthly payments start and you drive it daily. Opting for higher-end features can push the price up fast, and reviewers often complain about the transmission's performance. The optional third row is also reportedly pretty cramped for passengers, weakening one of the GLB's major selling points. When you add brand-level repair costs averaging around $900 annually, per RepairPal, and a projected five-year depreciation of 42.9%, per iSeeCars, it becomes easier to see why so many owners decide to move on early — especially when there are other luxury cars worth your money.

A car that's frequently resold isn't necessarily a lemon. More often, it means a lot of people loved the idea of owning it more than the reality of using it. In iSeeCars' analysis of more than 18.5 million vehicles, the worst offenders came back to market at four to eight times more than the average car, and every model in the top 10 was a luxury vehicle.

What the GLB really has in common with a lot of the other best-selling cars that are quickly resold is that they are mostly gateway luxury SUVs. They're designed to get buyers into a premium badge at a lower price, but often without the utility, space, or versatility people expect from an SUV. The closest Mercedes-Benz example on iSeeCars' list is the GLA, a smaller luxury SUV that starts at $41,500 and is powered by the same 221-horsepower engine as the GLB while offering less cargo space. Another is the Range Rover Evoque, a similarly priced luxury SUV with a 246-horsepower engine, tight rear seats, and limited cargo room – providing even more reasons retirees should avoid Land Rover cars.

Discussing this trend, iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer observed, "Luxury buyers are either not doing enough research before buying, are overextending themselves financially, or are just incredibly fickle when it comes to their new car purchases." Either way, proper research could give prospective GLB drivers the information they need to avoid the considerable hassle of reselling.