Over the years studies have determined the vehicles that rack up the most miles before heading to the auto graveyard tend to be big and burly full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. While that can make them sure bets as far as reliability is concerned, not all consumers care to drive such an ungainly vehicle on a daily basis, let alone afford to keep the gas tank filled.
To that end, the statisticians at the online marketplace iSeeCars.com dug deep into their extensive databases to compare the prices of over 700,000 used cars and the odometer readings of over 368 million models to determine which 5- and 10-year-old used vehicles can best serve those on a budget looking for a dependable ride.
“Used car prices have dropped from their COVID-induced record highs, but with tariffs looming it’s possible new and used prices could rise again,” says iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer, “To help shoppers maximize their used-car budget we’ve identified the models offering the lowest purchase price and the longest remaining lifespan.”
Topping both the 5- and 10-year-old lists of the most reliable pre-owned cars for the money is the subcompact Honda Fit hatchback. Though it’s no longer sold in the U.S., the Fit received high marks for its amenable overall performance, good fuel economy and its surprisingly roomy cabin that included second row-row seats that could both fold flat and tumble forward to accommodate taller objects. Other models that appear on both lists include the Kia Rio, Honda Civic and Volkswagen Passat passenger cars, and the Buick Encore, Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Sport SUVs.
While the list of most durable 5-year-old models for the money is made up predominantly of smaller cars and SUVs from mainstream makes like Honda and Toyota, the selection of top 10-year-old vehicles is more of a mixed bag, featuring a number of larger and/or more-upscale rides, including the Lincoln MKZ, the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Toyota Avalon. Of note, also included are the Tesla Model S and the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, which speaks volumes about the real-world longevity of electrified rides. We’re featuring both lists noting their average retail prices and expected remaining lifespans below.
The iSeeCars report also looked at how well trucks fare in this regard, with midsize models including the Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and the Toyota Tacoma leading the lists of both 5- and 10-year-old pickups. Here, both durability and depreciation can combine to benefit cash-strapped consumers. “The average cost of a used truck drops substantially between 5- and 10-year-old models, yet their average remaining predicted lifespan only drops by two years,” Brauer explains. “If you need a used truck you can get nearly as much remaining life, while paying substantially less by going with a 10-year-old model versus a 5-year-old model.”
In addition, the study determined that those looking for a fuel-frugal pre-owned gas/electric hybrid can get a great deal and many more miles yet to travel choosing either a 5- or 10-year old Toyota Prius, Camry Hybrid or Avalon Hybrid, or the aforementioned Ford Fusion Energy plug-in hybrid, which rank highly in both lists. “The battery packs on these models have proven highly reliable, and most of them should retain the bulk of their original capacity,” Brauer says.
Of course no matter which used car, truck or SUV a shopper is considering, it’s always prudent to have a trusted mechanic give it a full inspection to assess its current condition and indicate what maintenance and possible repairs it may need moving forward to avoid getting stuck with a lemon. Buyers should also run a title check before signing a bill of sale to confirm a used car’s odometer reading and service history and to determine whether it’s been in a serious wreck or flood, and has been rebuilt and issued a salvaged title.
The full results of iSeeCars’ study, with separate lists of the most reliable cars, trucks and SUVs for the money can be found here.
Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Used Cars For The Money
- Honda Fit: $18,336; expected remaining lifespan 11.6 years
- Volkswagen Passat: $17,636; expected remaining lifespan 9.6 years
- Buick Encore: $16,633; expected remaining lifespan 8.8 years
- Kia Rio 5-Door: $14,037; expected remaining lifespan 6.9 years
- Honda Civic: $20,157; expected remaining lifespan 9.8 years
- Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback: $20,262; expected remaining lifespan 9.8 years
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: $15,822; expected remaining lifespan 7.5 years
- Toyota Yaris: $16,427; expected remaining lifespan 7.6 years
- Toyota Corolla: $17,728; expected remaining lifespan 8.1 years
- Infiniti Q50: $24,000; expected remaining lifespan 10.6 years
- Honda CR-V: $24,524; expected remaining lifespan 10.8 years
- Mitsubishi Outlander: $17,011; expected remaining lifespan 7.2 years
Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Cars For The Money
- Honda Fit: $12,169; expected remaining lifespan 9.0 years
- Volkswagen Passat: $9,912; expected remaining lifespan 7.0 years
- Lincoln MKZ: $12,298; expected remaining lifespan 7.6 years
- Kia Rio 5-Door: $9,059; expected remaining lifespan 5.6 years
- Mercedes-Benz CLA: $13,885; expected remaining lifespan 8.5 years
- Kia Rio: $8,051; expected remaining lifespan 4.8 years
- Honda Civic: $13,097; expected remaining lifespan 7.9 years
- Buick Encore: $11,018; expected remaining lifespan 6.5 years
- Jeep Compass: $9.832; expected remaining lifespan 5.7 years
- Nissan Versa: $7,638; expected remaining lifespan 4.5 years
- Toyota Avalon: $15,876; expected remaining lifespan 9.0 years
- Mazda CX-9: $11,474; expected remaining lifespan 6.5 years
- Hyundai Elantra: $9,603; expected remaining lifespan 5.3 years
- Tesla Model S: $18,960: expected remaining lifespan 10.5 years
- Ford Fusion Energi: $10,118; expected remaining lifespan 5.6 years
- Infiniti QX60: $12,518; expected remaining lifespan 6.9 years
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: $9,954; expected remaining lifespan 5.5 years
Source iSeeCars.com.
