Do you want to buy a used car? Consumer Reports publishes the first brand ranking; Lexus and Toyota top the list

The average price of a new car is currently almost $50,000.

The price shock may have you thinking long and hard about a used car. But navigating the used car market comes with its own challenges.

Although prices have dropped over the past year, most people still pay around $30,000 for a used car.

Buyers should be aware that it is important to make a choice that will stand up to the miles and years to come.

Consumer Reports has just released its first-ever used car brand rankings to help buyers reduce the risk of problems.

CR's survey focused on vehicles from model years 2014 to 2019, essentially vehicles five to ten years old, and examined data from 150,000 vehicles.

Lexus and Toyota top the list of 26 brands, with Mazda in third place. All three brands have consistently received average or better reliability ratings over the years.

The top five brands were Acura and Honda.

While some cars are known to stand the test of time, not all model years of all brands, even reputable ones, are the same.

A brand's reliability can play an important role in your initial research, but as CR's data shows time and time again, it's important for shoppers to focus on the model and year they're considering.

CR has included 10 used cars in its “Top Picks.” For example, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is a great choice for under $10,000, and the 2018 Honda HR-V has top-notch safety features.

If you're looking to purchase a pickup truck, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma offers the right balance of reliability and towing power.

To ensure smooth operation, a used car must be well maintained over the years.

While you may get better terms when purchasing privately owned vehicles, CR survey results found that consumers who purchase certified pre-owned vehicles report fewer problems than those who purchase used vehicles from other sources.