A man leans out of the driver’s window of a car missing its hood, with an outboard boat motor installed in the engine bay. He gestures enthusiastically while driving on a road with trees in the background.

Whether it’s a spoiler made from scrap wood, doors that don’t quite close, or tires that look ready to part ways with the car at any moment, these are more than just cosmetic issues; they’re road hazards. Somehow, though, these cars keep showing up in traffic, defying both logic and the law. Let’s dive into 20 car fails that are so awful, they should be in the junkyard.

1. The customer refused new tires, so they made her sign a waiver before leaving the shop

A close-up of a worn, smooth aircraft tire with no visible tread, reflecting the image of a person in an orange vest on a wet, pebbled surface.
bootels/via reddit.com

2. I’ve never seen a car that failed a home inspection before

Close-up view of a vehicle's undercarriage, showing rusted metal components, suspension parts, and wiring near a wheel; automotive tools and equipment are visible in the workshop background.
waffle911/via reddit.com

3. They thought they needed to inflate their tires to 100%

A hand holds a digital tire pressure gauge displaying 11.6 PSI in a garage, with a car wheel lifted in the background.
vaultboy4111/via reddit.com

4. There must be a cool guy convention in town

Several lifted white pickup trucks are parked at a gas station under a canopy, with palm trees and cloudy skies in the background. A large inflatable flamingo is visible in one of the truck beds.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

5. Ah, the old basketball tail light trick

A blue, dusty Mercedes sedan has a missing left tail light, replaced with an orange basketball and covered with clear tape. A close-up shows the basketball secured inside the tail light space.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

6. Oh God no

A shiny black sports car with oversized chrome rims is parked in a wet parking lot next to a red SUV, viewed from inside another car on a partly cloudy day.
chikrew/via reddit.com

7. Ladies and gentlemen, the reporator

A purple pickup truck with oversized rear wheels and a large, vertical black grill attached to the front is stopped at an intersection. Trees and a cornfield are visible in the background.
sickzx6r/via reddit.com

8. Something doesn’t seem right here

A black pickup truck with oversized tires and a lifted suspension is driving on a road. The truck is tilted, with its left rear wheel at an angle, possibly indicating a mechanical issue.
shoelayce17/via reddit.com

9. Good luck if there’s a pebble on the road

A heavily modified white car with extreme negative camber sits low to the ground on a suburban street, with its front wheels tilted outward. Houses and a white pickup truck are visible in the background.
drugbanana/via reddit.com

10. I think that’s as low as you can possibly get

A heavily modified, low-riding pickup truck with no front body or engine, large wheels, and a rusted paint job is displayed at a car show in a parking lot among other vehicles.
acemccrank/via reddit.com

11. Take my whole wallet

A black car modified with oversized, muddy tractor wheels drives off-road in a rural area, shown from various angles on a muddy path near trees and puddles.
sxe_harry/via reddit.com

12. “I have an all-leather interior.”

A red vehicle interior with a large brown leather couch replacing the front seats, positioned where the driver and passenger seats normally are. The steering wheel and dashboard are visible.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

13. Well done, soldier

A silver Toyota Prius with six doors and an elongated body is parked outside, seen through a window. A caption jokes that it was made by welding two wrecked Priuses together.
sickofyouhun/via reddit.com

14. What is this monstrosity?

A pickup truck with the body of a sedan fused on top is parked in a lot near a Walmart Pickup area. The vehicle appears to be a creative, unusual combination of two different cars.
crazygamerhd1213/via reddit.com

15. “It’s more aerodynamic now.”

A black Toyota Prius with a makeshift rear extension made of clear plastic and tape is driving on a highway. The car appears modified for aerodynamics, with additional features along the sides and back.
stk58/via reddit.com

16. It’s a toaster car

A boxy van drives on a highway carrying two large rolls on its roof and towing a trailer stacked with a small boat, a kayak, and a large yellow box. Trees line the road in the background.
tp_potato/via reddit.com

17. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to drive it

A man leans out of a moving gray car with an outboard boat motor mounted where the engine should be, making a thumbs-up gesture and smiling. The car’s hood is missing, and trees line the road.
kconic/via reddit.com

18. Well, you have to get the gas in somehow

A blue car at a gas station with its rear fender removed and lying on the ground; the fuel nozzle is inserted into the detached fender instead of the car’s actual fuel tank.
magiccalgin/via reddit.com

19. Right turns must be a nightmare in this beast

A heavily modified van with a dramatic, futuristic purple and yellow body kit, large fins, and extended front panels, parked in a lot surrounded by trees and statues.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

20. I wonder if he could fit one more LED bar

A large black lifted truck with oversized tires is covered in numerous LED light bars on the hood, roof, bumper, and sides, parked on gravel with trees and houses in the background.
conrick/via reddit.com

Want to see more wacky car content?

Check out 20 Automobile Fails That Escape All Rationality, or take a look at 15 of the Worst Engine Fails in History. Finally, if you want to see the ugliest cars from the 1980s, check out 20 of the Ugliest Cars from the 1980s.

Meet the Writer

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.