Unfortunately, it's a tricky time for the used car
market, and buyers have to be more discerning than ever when shopping for a safe, reliable car that meets their expectations. Used car prices are up 40% from last year, and buyers can’t afford to waste a dime on a car they don’t love. After gathering and analyzing data from an array of 5-year-old vehicles, Consumer Reports (CR) sussed out which used cars ranked the highest and which ranked the lowest in terms of reliability. CR chose a time frame of five years because it's a slightly more affordable marketplace than newer used cars, but the models featured still have modern safety features that most new cars come with today.
Which companies have the least reliable used cars?
CR
created this assessment by calculating the average reliability score of 2017 models and ranked the brands from highest average reliability to lowest. At the top of the list were Lexus, Toyota, and Acura. These brands all scored over 80 points out of 100 on 2017 average reliability.On the low end of the rankings the companies with the least reliable used cars were:
On 2017 reliability ratings, these models all scored a 32 or below. It should also be noted that among the four brands ranked lowest, Jeep, Ram and GMC are all known for producing SUVs, trucks, and minivans.
Working cars like pickup trucks are SUVs or an offroad-adventuring Jeep could score lower on reliability because they tend to be larger, consume more fuel, have lower overall mpg, and are subject to more wear and tear.
MORE: Toyota Continues To Dominate Car Sales Despite Challenges
What to make of these used car reliability rankings
Keep in mind that just because some of the lowest-ranked cars on the list are GMC brands, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find a great, reliable used GMC car on your search.
There is a huge amount of variability in the condition of the used car depending on the wear and tear from previous drivers, so you shouldn’t rule out your dream car just because it made it to this list.
When looking for a used car, the top things to keep in mind in addition to their reliability and satisfaction scores are factors such as fuel economy and safety systems. You can easily research the fuel economy of your individual car, and ask the seller or dealership beforehand about safety systems that come with the model you’re looking to buy.
While systems like forward-collision warnings and automatic emergency braking are available in older models, these life-saving technologies don’t often come standard.
Don’t forget the car insurance when you switch cars
Regardless of what used car you decide to go with, you can always save money on car insurance. For the best rates, try using the Jerry
app. A licensed broker, Jerry can source quotes from 55+ top insurance companies in less than 60 seconds. That’s right, in under a minute you’ll see offers from Travelers, Progressive, and more! The average user saves over $800 per year on car insurance.
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