FYI: Reliability remains a key factor in choosing used cars, with Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda leading the charge.
Not so long ago, an automaker claimed in a commercial that "The best new cars make the best used cars." While it may come off as a marketing trick, the statement holds a substantial amount of truth. Consumer Reports (CR) recently set out to validate this concept by ranking the best brands and models for used car purchases, and as one might expect, there were few surprises among the top contenders.
Consumer Reports’ Study on Used Car Reliability
Consumer Reports conducted an extensive survey involving its members, focusing on the types and frequencies of problems their cars encountered over the past year. This survey analyzed vehicles from 2014 to 2019, encompassing data from over 150,000 cars. The reliability ratings were averaged to compile a list of the top used car brands.
Top 10 Reliable Used Car Brands
- Lexus: Average reliability score 75/100
- Toyota: 72
- Mazda: 59
- Acura: 57
- Honda: 55
- Buick: 47
- BMW: 46
- Subaru: 46
- Nissan: 45
- Mercedes-Benz: 43
What Makes These Brands Stand Out?
The survey examined 20 potential problem areas, from minor issues such as interior wear and tear to major problems like EV battery replacements and out-of-warranty engine repairs. Lexus and Toyota earned their top spots by consistently having fewer issues. These brands significantly outperformed Mazda, which still performed commendably to secure third place.
A senior auto data analyst at Consumer Reports pointed out that Japanese automakers often employ a strategy of incremental improvements: "Brands like Lexus and Toyota typically implement conservative redesigns across their product lines, rather than introducing many all-new systems. Our data consistently indicates that these brands’ cars are reliable when new and remain dependable as they age."
Brands at the Lower End of the Spectrum
In stark contrast, brands like Tesla, Dodge, and Chrysler were found to be at the bottom of the reliability rankings, coming in at 24th, 25th, and 26th, respectively. Notably, the reliability score of some brands’ used cars can diverge significantly from their new car rankings. Tesla, for instance, fares moderately well in new car reliability but ranks quite low for used cars.
Conclusion
FYI: Reliability remains a pivotal factor when selecting a used vehicle, and brands like Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda have proven their mettle in this regard. Their approach to slow and steady improvements rather than radical changes appears to pay off in long-term dependability. On the flip side, brands like Tesla struggle to maintain reliability in their used models, despite a solid performance in new car categories. For more in-depth insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
Lawrence Jacobs, Editor of Automotive.fyi
