Good used cars will last for years without serious problems, but not all used vehicles are created equal. This article will focus on cars that are both affordable and reliable.
Generally, the vehicles that reach the highest mileage before heading to the junkyard tend to be large, full-size pickups and SUVs. However, these vehicles are more expensive to buy, maintain, and drive daily. For this article, we’ll focus on used cars that split the difference in reliability and affordability.
Small Cars and SUVs Dominate Five-Year List
The iSeeCars.com list of the most reliable five-year-old used vehicles contains primarily smaller cars and SUVs from mainstream automakers. Honda and Toyota both perform well.
According to iSeeCars.com, the Honda Fit tops both the five-year and ten-year-old lists of the most reliable used cars for the money. The subcompact SUV is no longer available new in the US, but when it was, it received acclaim for its overall performance, excellent fuel economy, and surprisingly roomy cabin.
Some other passenger cars and SUVs that make the cut for both lists are less surprising. The Honda Civic and Volkswagen Passat perform well for passenger cars. The Buick Encore and Mitsubishi Outlander outperform the competition among SUVs.
Most Reliable Ten-Year-Old Vehicles Are Larger
While the best five-year-old used cars list contains many small and affordable vehicles, the ten-year-old list is dominated by larger and more upscale rides. They include the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Lincoln MKZ.
Several EVs Are Worth Buying Used
Interestingly, this list also includes multiple EVs. The Tesla Model S and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid make the list of the most reliable older used vehicles, which speaks volumes about the increasing longevity of modern electric cars.
A five- or ten-year-old Toyota Prius or Camry Hybrid will likely go the distance for hybrids. The defining factor that sets these vehicles apart is their battery packs. The battery packs on these models are highly reliable and retain most of their original capacity even after ten years.
What About Used Trucks?
Since we’ve already mentioned that used trucks and larger SUVs tend to rack up the most miles before being relegated to the junkyard, it’s worth noting a few of the top contenders.
Midsize trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma make it onto the five-year and ten-year-old pickup lists.
The good news is that depreciation can work in a driver’s favor. The average cost of used trucks drops significantly between five- and ten-year-old models. However, the average remaining predicted lifespan of five-year-old and ten-year-old trucks differs by only two years.
Always Have a Used Car Inspected
The information above applies broadly to the different types of cars. It can’t be considered gospel because every vehicle has a different history. Running a title check to confirm service history and title status can help, but that’s just one essential step.
No matter what type of used car a buyer is interested in, there’s only one way to avoid buying a lemon. Potential buyers should enlist the help of a trusted mechanic who can perform a full inspection.
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