Cars made over two decades ago are considered more unreliable than those made today. Hundreds of thousands of car owners will not dispute that fact. With advances in technology, however, better equipment, experience, and updated skillsets, manufacturers have turned the tide. Today, it is not unusual to see cars two decades old and still going strong.
Cars built after 2000 that are well maintained will run as long the owner maintains them. And, with the exorbitant prices of new cars, many potential buyers now first consider buying a used car, which is considerably cheaper. But which ones are considered the most reliable used cars?
There is no simple answer to this question as several car manufacturers have steadily made vehicles that are durable and reliable. However, survey after survey indicates that perhaps the top used car is the Toyota, followed by the Honda, Ford Mustang, Subaru, Chevrolet Impala, and others. Even within each manufacturer class, some cars are better than others. For example, the Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius will easily last more than 250,000 miles compared to other Toyota brands.
Toyota has built a solid reputation for manufacturing reliable vehicles for over three decades. Almost every year, the company has winning vehicles listed on the best cars of the year list. A used Toyota or Honda will continue to hold their value far longer than almost any other North American vehicle.
The one negative of most Toyotas is the stale design, but then you have the option of purchasing a used Honda, which is a close second in every respect, except the aesthetics are much better. The Honda Accord and Honda Civic rank better than any other manufacturer.
If you want an American-made car that is reliable, then the Ford Mustang is your best bet. Even though the first-generation Mustangs had issues, the ones built after 2000 are reliable and will easily reach 250,000 miles if well maintained. The only downside is that this powerful car is slightly expensive to keep well maintained.
In the end, there are many good used cars. The most reliable used cars can be purchased from a reputable dealer. Check the mileage, have it inspected, and do your research. If you regularly maintain any used car, there is no reason why it should not last you a long time.
