The most reliable used car brands according to Consumer Reports

Many car buyers are avoiding new car dealerships and focusing entirely on the used car market. That's why Consumer Reports is expanding its online vehicle reviews and recommendations to include used trucks, sedans and SUVs for the first time.

“It starts with the fact that the average purchase price for a new car right now is still around $48,000. That's just a lot of money,” says Alex Knizek, deputy director of auto testing at Consumer Reports.

Given the price of a new car or truck, it's no surprise that many buyers turn to the used car market.

According to a Consumer Reports survey, 40% of Americans who wanted to buy a car last year considered only used cars. By comparison, 31% considered only new cars and 24% were open to both.

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Consumer Reports' analysis evaluated 26 car brands based on the reliability of models between 5 and 10 years old.

The top 10 used car brands according to Consumer Reports are:

1. Lexus
2. Toyota
3. Mazda
4. Acura
5. Honda
6. Buick
7. BMW
8. Subaru
9. Nissan
10. Mercedes Benz

Knizek said drivers in Consumer Reports surveys reported fewer problems with brands such as Lexus, Toyota and Mazda. He said those brands are also known for more modest redesigns, which “contributes to good reliability,” he said.
Knizek said just because a brand is lower on the list does not mean that all cars from that brand are unreliable.

“Chevrolet is a good example,” Knizek explained, with Chevrolet coming in the middle of the pack. “If you look at the individual vehicles, something like the 2018 or 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is actually above average in reliability. So it's a diamond in the rough, so to speak.”

Auto mechanic Jeff Landrum of Ron's Service Center in Covington, Kentucky, says he is a big fan of Toyota because of their reliability.

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“Toyota has come out with a very comprehensive maintenance schedule that you have to follow to make the car last the 200,000- to 300,000-mile intervals,” Landrum said. “Parts are readily available. Parts are not overpriced.”

A typical example is a 2012 Toyota Camry that his workshop has been servicing for more than a decade.

“We have been servicing this lady's car since she bought it new,” he said. “She has had little to no problems with the car.”

Consumer Reports has also announced its top recommendations for used models in certain categories and price ranges. For example, Consumer Reports recommends the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze as the best subcompact sedan under $10,000, while the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is the best subcompact sedan under $15,000. The 2021 Kia Sportage made the rankings as the best small SUV under $20,000.

Three Toyotas made it into CR’s top used car selection:

• Hybrid SUV under $20,000: 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
• Hybrid subcompact sedan under $20,000: 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
• Pickup truck under $20,000: 2015 Toyota Tacoma

Landrum said the most important thing when purchasing a used car and ensuring its longevity is to follow the vehicle's recommended maintenance schedule.
“In my opinion, this is extremely important,” he said. “It's about the lifespan of every vehicle.”

He recommends requesting a CARFAX report before purchasing a vehicle to verify regular maintenance.

“I tell all my customers, the road to 200,000 miles is not free,” Landrum said.

Knizek said a vehicle history report would also alert buyers to possible odometer fraud as well as damage from fire, flood or previous accidents.

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