Most Reliable Used Cars for 2025

Buying a used car almost always involves at least a small leap of faith. Because it’s not a new car, you’re buying a vehicle someone else has already driven and, hopefully, treated properly. And because it’s the second most expensive line item in most people’s budget (after mortgage or rent), automotive expenses represent a major investment, so you’ll want to invest that money wisely. Identifying the most reliable used cars can reduce your financial risk, which is why iSeeCars has provided a reliability rating for used cars and ranked them in different price ranges below.

Before making a used car purchase you’ll need to determine not only your budget but your vehicle needs. Buyers with lower budgets might be limited to subcompact or compact cars, which offer limited space and performance, but also tend to be the most fuel efficient. And even a small vehicle, particularly in hatchback form, can provide a surprising level of utility in addition to excellent fuel economy. Some of the most reliable cars in the compact category include the Honda Civic, Kia Soul, and Toyota Corolla, all of which have a well-earned reputation for quality and durability.

Shoppers seeking more interior space, particularly for rear-seat passengers, should consider a midsize sedan like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, or Toyota Camry. For buyers in cold-weather climates, the Subaru Legacy sedan offers all-wheel drive for increased grip and confidence. Even larger sedans, including the Buick LaCrosse, Dodge Charger, and Toyota Avalon, feature roomy interiors and typically include premium features like sunroofs, making them excellent family cars for long-distance travel. Most of these vehicles are powered by either a four-cylinder engine or V6 powertrain, and they all feature an automatic transmission.

In fact, in recent model years most automakers have completely dropped their manual transmissions, though some used sports cars and coupes focused on a fun-to-drive experience, such as the Porsche 911 and Mazda Miata, can be found with five- and six-speed manuals.

If even a large sedan or wagon can’t serve your space needs the used vehicle market offers a wide range of SUV options in various sizes and at various price points. Traditional American SUVs, like the Chevy Suburban and Ford Explorer, have been around for decades and proven reliable. But these large utility vehicles deliver poor mpg figures and can be unwieldy for city dwellers. That’s why newer models like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson were introduced. These compact SUVs combine the perfect mix of space, comfort, horsepower, and fuel efficiency, making them among the best-selling vehicles in America.

Luxury car shoppers with a sufficient budget can browse premium models in the higher price brackets below. The Japanese brands Acura and Lexus rank well for reliability, while the German brands Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz often rank below them, but are still considered relatively reliable. For added peace of mind, most luxury brands offer CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) programs with warranty coverage on their used models. You can expect the used car prices to be higher for CPO models, but with new-car-like warranty coverage on all major mechanical components it can be a worthwhile investment.

Finally, shoppers looking to reduce or eliminate their fuel budget, the used market has a growing spectrum of hybrid and electric vehicles to choose from. The Toyota Prius is probably the most famous hybrid model, but nearly every automaker sells multiple hybrid vehicles today. The same is true for electric vehicles, with mainstream brands from America and Europe joining Tesla in selling a growing line-up of electric cars, SUVs, and even pickup trucks. As with the new vehicle market, you can expect to pay more for a similarly-sized electric vehicle versus a traditional gasoline model, so consider your lifestyle needs carefully before buying.

Regardless of which model you choose, utilize the reliability rankings below to identify used cars with a reduced chance of mechanical issues after purchase.