Best Used Car Brands: Consumer Reports Ranks the Most Reliable 5- to 10-Year-Old Cars

Looking for a reliable used car? Consumer Reports just dropped their rankings of 26 car brands based on how well their 5- to 10-year-old models hold up—and the results are pretty telling.

Lexus and Toyota absolutely dominate the top spots, with Mazda rounding out the top three. Honda and Acura follow close behind. What do these brands have in common? They've consistently proven themselves reliable year after year.

On the flip side? Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler bring up the rear at positions 24, 25, and 26. Not exactly what you want to see if you're eyeing one of those brands.

Why Some Brands Just Work Better

According to Consumer Reports' senior automotive data analyst Steven Elek, brands like Lexus and Toyota take a conservative approach to redesigns. Instead of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, they make incremental improvements and stick with what works. The data backs this up—cars from these brands are reliable when new and stay that way as they age.

Other brands? Not so consistent. Take Chevrolet, for example. The Equinox has been hit or miss over the years, with only certain model years scoring above average. The Silverado's 2014-2018 generation? Below average across the board. That's why checking individual model years matters way more than just trusting a brand name.

The Rankings Tell an Interesting Story

Consumer Reports surveyed over 150,000 vehicles to figure this out, focusing on everything from annoying squeaks to serious engine problems. They weighted issues by severity and came up with scores for each brand.

Interestingly, some brands perform differently with used versus new cars. BMW ranks low for used models but climbs to eighth place for new car reliability—showing they've gotten their act together recently. Tesla's making moves too, jumping from 24th in previous used-car rankings to 15th now, though there's still room for improvement.

But some things never change. Lexus and Toyota own the top two spots for both new and used cars. And Jeep? Consistently at the bottom for both.

The Bottom Line

With new car prices through the roof and inflation making everything more expensive, buying used makes sense for a lot of people. But not all used cars are created equal. Stick with brands that have proven track records, and always check the reliability ratings for the specific model year you're considering. Your wallet will thank you later.