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Top 5 Reliable Used Car Brands of 2023

most reliable used car brands

We all know that some car brands hold up better than others. German and Japanese car manufacturers are notorious for their stringent quality control and long-lasting parts, and that’s exactly what you like to hear when you’re shopping for a used car. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the historically most reliable car brands so that you don’t have to spend hours researching every used car for sale that you come across!

Without doing a little used car research, you might end up with a problematic vehicle that’s ready to fall apart at a moment’s notice. Knowing which brands to avoid can save you a whole heap of money down the road. That’s why today, we’re going to give you a rundown of some of the best brands to look out for when you’re looking to buy a reliable used car.

TOYOTA

The Toyota Camry is well renowned across America as an incredibly reliable car perfect for day-to-day use and families. 

It’s been a best-selling car in the U.S for a staggering 19 years straight and is unlikely to be knocked off the top spot any time soon.

toyota brand

The Toyota Camry is Highly Rated

Consumer Reports has ratings for the Camry as far back as 2000. Since then, the Camry has received a perfect five-out-of-five rating fourteen times (2000, 2004-2006, and 2008-2017). Even when it missed the mark, it still received four out of five in the remaining six years.

Consumer Reports says that the “Camry has long been known for its tremendous reliability and strong resale value”.

Toyota Safety Features & Ratings

The Camry is also one of the safest cars on the road. The 2020 model received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award and received an NHTSA overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, having received a perfect score in every single crash test category. The 2020 model also offers a fantastic 41 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city, with the potential to run 600 miles on its 16-gallon fuel tank.

Toyota’s Fuel Efficiency

If fuel efficiency is your biggest concern, there is, of course, the 2011 Toyota Prius. This game-changing hybrid car can give you up to 51 mpg while still packing the same highly rated safety and reliability features Toyota is known for. Obviously, sedans are smaller, and therefore more fuel efficient, but they do have fuel efficient SUVs as well!

Other Toyota Models to Consider

If the Toyota Camry or Prius don’t fit your needs, you may want to check out other Toyota models such as the Highlander SUV or RAV-4. Both of these models offer all wheel drive capabilities and provide a little more space than sedans. If off-roading is in your future, be sure to check out the Toyota 4Runner or the top of the line Land Cruiser. Both of these iconic SUVs offer not only luxury amenities, but ample off-road prowess to get you to any destination you want!

MAZDA

Mazda brings Japanese reliability and a sporty feel to every vehicle they produce while maintaining affordability.

Their most notable offering is the gorgeous and compact MX-5 Miata. This car has a huge following and is highly coveted by its owners, making them an exciting prospect when looking for a used sports car.

Mazda Models Have a History of Reliability

If you’re looking for an iconic car at a low price, the 2012 MX-5 Special Edition offers 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway which means you can cruise all day without worrying about filling up the tank. The SE was a top-of-the-line model back in 2012 which means it has a black power-retractable hardtop, black 17-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, and a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers.

The Miata is Highly Rated

The Miata earned a predicted reliability score of five out of five and regularly has top scores across all 17 categories from J.D. Power. In addition, the Miata also has a five out of five rating for its predicted owner satisfaction.

Family Friendly Options

Looking for a more family-friendly option? Be sure to check out the Mazda3 and Mazda5, which offer the same sporty feel and great fuel economy but are large enough for the whole family. Both have also received the IIHS Top Safety Pick and a perfect score from the HTSA.

HONDA

Time has shown that not only is Honda one of the most popular car brands across the United States, and even globally, but it is also one of the most, if not the most, highly rated car brands in history.

Even MotorBiscuit agrees, there are many reasons why Honda is so well-known and sought after.

Honda’s Top Safety Ratings

The Honda Civic is one of the most well-known cars in the world, and for good reason. After being completely redesigned in 2012, it has become one of the safest and most reliable cars on the market. The 2012 4-door sedan model was named the Top Safety Pick by IIHS after gaining the top grade in every crash test category.

Fuel Effeciency

The 2012 Civic offers up to 29 mpg in the city and up to 41 mpg on the highway, making it a high fuel-efficient car despite its age. It has a 9.1 rating on USN and is ranked #2 in used compact cars between $6k to $10k. It also received a five out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power. Obviously, cars and SUVs are more fuel efficient than trucks, but Honda does have a pretty fuel efficient pickup truck, the Ridgeline, which has a great average MPG for a truck.

Honda’s Family Friendly Models

The Honda Accord is also well worth checking out. It’s been one of the best-selling family-sized cars in the US for over 15 years, with the 2013 model offering the highest reliability and owner satisfaction ratings. The 2013 Accord was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHSafety and offered excellent fuel economy for its midsize class, athletic handling, and a comfortable, upscale cabin for a premium feel at an affordable price.

LEXUS

Looking for a real touch of luxury without breaking the bank?

Try a Lexus. According to the car brand, one of their team’s highest priorities is to consider every detail and always strive for excellence.

This makes sense considering the brand has won the JD Dependability Award seven years in a row!

Luxury & Reliability at a Low Price Point

Try the 2010 Lexus ES. This car offers a premium feel with its plush interior and incredibly smooth ride. It currently ranks second in USN’s Used Luxury Midsize Cars under the $20K list and boasts a 5 out of 5 reliability rating from J.D. Power.

Lexus Fuel Efficiency

Despite the low average price of around $12000, the 2010 ES packs a 272-horsepower V6 engine for a sporty feel without sacrificing comfort. The vehicle offers 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is much better than you may expect from such a large engine.

Have an idea of the make and model you want and what a realistic value is for that vehicle with the miles and features. It’s always better to have too much information as opposed to too little.You also want to make sure you know exactly what type of vehicle will fit your everyday needs whether it be a sedan, an SUV, or even a pickup truck!

AUDI

The Audi A3 offers all the luxury and comfort of a high-ticket car at a fraction of the price for your day-to-day.

Audi’s Fuel Efficiency

Although Audi as a brand is known for its build quality and sporty style, it does manufacture vehicles that are both sporty and fuel efficiency. They use the 2.0T Turbocharged four cylinder engine in many of their models and that particular power plant is known for both reliability and efficiency.

Efficient models that we’d recommend include the Audi A3, Audi A4 and even the larger Audi A6, which gets great MPG for a larger mid-size vehicle.

Audi Reliability & Dependability

The 2009 Audi A3 has a perfect reliability rating, so don’t be put off by its age!

It offers available all-wheel drive, up to 250 horsepower, and up to 30 mpg on the highway. The hatchback design also makes it a fantastic family option with plenty of cargo space for anything you throw at it.

Shopping for a Reliable Used Car? Motobyo Has Your Back!

Here at Motobyo, not only do we provide the public with a platform for buying and selling used cars, but we also have a large library of research material to help you make an informed decision on your next used car!

If you’re wondering how it works, check out our car buying guide for all the details! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we’ll help you find the best used car for you and your lifestyle!

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