Buying a used car can save you thousands of dollars. But nobody wants a deal that becomes a never-ending repair bill. The key is picking a brand that has a reputation for reliability and finding a specific vehicle that’s been taken care of properly.
According to a 2024 report by PBS News, the average age of cars on American roads is almost 13 years. It’s this high because new ones are just so expensive, and people are keeping their cars longer than ever. This means that finding a reliable used car may be somewhat difficult. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no.
So, which brands should be on your list? We will list the five worth considering when looking for a used car in 2026. Before that, let’s discuss the basics about brand reliability.
A car isn’t reliable just because of its badge. It’s also about how the previous owner treated it.
Rod Lofts, a senior technical writer at VACC, put it plainly to Drive Australia: The Toyota Hilux has a reputation for lasting generations, but a car of any age is only as good as the care it’s had. A 10-year-old Ford Ranger with 250,000 km can also run like new. It all comes down to how the vehicle was treated.
Here’s what else you should check to determine if a used car will serve you well.
Still, none of these is a guarantee. Have a mechanic look at any car before you pay. If you’re buying from a neighbor instead of a used car dealership, you can find a mobile mechanic to come inspect it where it sits. That peace of mind is well worth a few dollars.
And if the car has simple issues and you want to fix it, they can get what’s needed to do that on the spot. MechanicRank notes that most mobile mechanics charge about $95 to $150 an hour plus parts, with most driveway jobs taking two hours at most.
The five brands below offer a strong starting point for your used car search. The order follows Consumer Reports 2025 car reliability rankings, but this isn’t a guarantee that every model or model year will perform equally well.
Reliability Rank: 1st overall.
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury arm. You get the comfort and quiet cabin, but underneath it’s the same over-engineered mechanicals that make Toyotas run forever. Consumer Affairs puts Lexus’s annual maintenance at $551 or thereabouts. That’s barely more than a mainstream brand.
Top used models include the Lexus ES and the Lexus RX. The ES is a sensible choice if you value comfort and a smooth ride, while the RX offers more space for passengers and luggage. Both hold up well as older luxury cars.
Reliability Rank: 2nd overall.
Toyota is the default answer for a reason. Conservative engineering. Low depreciation. Engines that hit 200,000 miles without drama. And easy-to-afford maintenance. Another Consumer Reports survey puts Toyota’s 10-year repair costs at $5,950, relatively low among mainstream brands.
Top used models include Corolla, Camry, and RAV4. Corolla and Camry are “among the most common cars on the road”, which means parts are everywhere and cheap.
One expert, Rudy from @rudycars2, said it well: Honda and Toyota four-cylinders “often last 300, 400,000 miles,” which is why used prices stay high. You pay more upfront. You save on the back end.
Reliability Rank: 3rd overall.
Mazda’s current lineup is solid. The CX-5 is one of the most dependable compact SUVs you can buy, with a reliability score average of 83, according to Auto Reliability Index. As for the MX-5? It has very few owner complaints for the 2008 to 2015 model, according to data from Road Vitals. Complaints come from owners and drivers to the NHTSA, and they don’t prove a defect is real.
Top used models are the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5.
It’s worth mentioning that Mazda dropped in the latest Consumer Reports rankings. It fell to 14th because of problems with the new CX-70 and CX-90 plug-in hybrids. So stick with the simpler models.
Reliability Rank: 4th overall.
Honda does three things well: fuel efficiency, safety, and engines that hold their value well in the pre-owned market. Its broad lineup also makes it relatively easy to find something that fits your needs, whether you’re looking for a small commuter car or a family SUV.
Top used models are the Honda Civic, Accord, and CR-V.
Honda’s quality department operates “completely separate from other departments,” according to Executive VP Noriya Kaihara. He told The Drive: “Quality is always Honda’s number one concern. Every single new technology always goes by this separate department”. That independent oversight is why their engines hold up.
Reliability Rank: 5th overall.
Acura is Honda’s luxury brand. Same mechanical bones, more athletic feel. You get luxury tech, refined leather seating, and sharper throttle response with the reasonable spare parts pricing of a mainstream manufacturer.
Top models are the Acura RDX and MDX.
Acura has a reliability verdict of 53/100, according to the 2025 Consumer Reports reliability study, with a 10-year repair cost of roughly $7,725. Not as low as Toyota, but definitely a lot higher than BMW, Mercedes, or even Volvo. Just avoid the 2019 and 2020 models. Too many complaints about those years.
Here’s a simple overview of the five best used car brands for reliability.
| Brand | Overall Position | Models to Consider | Best For |
| Lexus | 1st | ES, RX | Luxury and comfort |
| Toyota | 2nd | Corolla, Camry, RAV4 | Affordable ownership |
| Mada | 3rd | Mazda3, CX-5 | Driving enjoyment |
| Honda | 4th | Civic, Accord, CR-V | Everyday practicality |
| Acura | 5th | RDX, MDX | Affordable luxury |
It depends. Lexus ranked first in Consumer Reports’ December 2025 used-car reliability study, followed by Toyota and Mazda. But that doesn’t mean you must choose from those options. Reliability doesn’t really depend on the car brand. It’s more about the car’s age and its maintenance history.
There’s no universal cutoff. 100,000 miles used to be the number, but not anymore. A properly maintained vehicle can hit 200,000 miles. It depends on whether the car was used well by the previous owner and the kind of road it drove those miles on.
Start by asking the owner or dealer for a detailed vehicle history. But regardless of what they say, always have your own mechanic around to check things. A well-trained mechanic will know the signs of common wear and tear to look for, including oil leaks and shoddy repairs.
Any used car can be a gamble. But some gambles are safer than others. Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, and Acura are known to be reliable even after many long miles, and the data is there to back it up. The parts are also easy to find.
But don’t pick any used car just because it’s from these manufacturers. Do your homework, get the car inspected, and you’ll end up with something that treats you right for years.
