How to Find the Best Used Car at the Right Price
We highlight the most reliable brands and top 5-year-old cars and SUVs
Shopping the used-car market can be tricky right now. Global supply chain issues affecting the pricing and availability of new cars have also made it harder to find good used models at affordable prices. But with a little patience and research, you can find a safe and reliable vehicle that fits your needs and priorities. Our used-car recommendations are based on testing from our experts, along with reliability survey results that will help you find models from the brands least likely to let you down.
@consumerreports These used vehicles are all about ✨reliability✨. See car ratings and reviews at cr.org/cars. #cartok #carsoftiktok #usedcars #carbuyingadvice
♬ original sound - Consumer Reports
Factors to Consider When Buying a Used Car
Fuel economy: Check our ratings at CR.org/carsatoz to see if the used model you like fares well against others in its class.
Reliability score: This indicates how a vehicle’s overall problem rate compares with other models from the same year, based on survey responses from CR members about their cars. (Learn more about car reliability.)
Satisfaction score: CR members tell us each year whether they’d buy their same car again if given the chance. We calculate a score for each model based on those survey responses.
Safety systems: FCW and AEB were available on older models but were not often standard. So before you buy, make sure your used-car choice has these lifesaving safety features.
Most Reliable Brands for 5-Year-Old Vehicles
Our brand ratings chart shows that it’s hard to go wrong with any Lexus or Toyota; all of their 5-year-old models have above-average reliability. The average reliability score includes all models for which we had sufficient survey data for the brand. With variety in mind, we’ve highlighted eight models from our list of the top reliable brands for the 2017 model year.
of 2017
Models
Average
Reliability
Luxury Midsized SUV: 2017 Lexus RX
Midsized 3-row SUV: 2017 Toyota Highlander
Compact SUV: 2017 Honda CR-V
Midsized 2-row SUV: 2017 Nissan Murano
Midsized Sedan: 2017 Subaru Legacy
Large Sedan: 2017 Buick LaCrosse
Luxury Sedan: 2017 Infiniti Q50
Compact Car: 2017 Mazda 3
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the June 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
