Avoid these 5- to 10-year-old vehicles, advises Consumer Reports
Given the inflation that has affected new vehicle prices, buying a used model from a brand known for its reliability can be a wise and economical decision.
The American magazine Consumer Reports, which recently published its rankings of the most and least reliable brands and models for 2026, also looks at used vehicles that are 5 to 10 years old (in this case, 2016 to 2021 models). The exercise is based on problems reported by its members in about 20 different areas.
Unsurprisingly, Lexus and Toyota still dominate the rankings this year, coming in first and second respectively, far ahead of Mazda in third (in contrast to its newer models such as the CX-70 and CX-90, which are not very reliable). Two other Japanese brands round out the top five: Honda and Acura. Here is a table showing the best reliability scores:
“Brands such as Lexus and Toyota tend to update their models conservatively and always focus on improving quality rather than completely changing the formula and introducing several new technologies,” notes Steven Elek, senior automotive data analyst at Consumer Reports. Our data consistently shows over time that cars from these brands are reliable when new and remain reliable as they age."
At the other end of the scale are Tesla, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and GMC. In fact, eight of the bottom nine positions are occupied by American brands. The only intruder? Kia.
However, it should be noted that some brands are missing due to a lack of data. This is the case for Porsche, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Fiat, among others.
"Tesla ranks poorly in terms of reliability for 5- to 10-year-old used vehicles. The company encountered numerous difficulties at the time, launching entirely new models and increasing production, even going so far as to repair vehicles directly in the factory parking lot, Elek points out. However, Tesla has made considerable progress and its latest models boast above-average reliability.
Consumer Reports cautions those who would generalize about vehicles based on this ranking, as some models may prove to be more reliable than their brand as a whole. Or vice versa. For example, the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox performs better than average, while all 2014 to 2018 Chevrolet Silverados are below average, according to the compiled data.
“That's why it's always best to check the reliability of different models and years when shopping for a used vehicle,” says Elek. “Making assumptions can be problematic and costly.”
To this advice, we should naturally add that you should find out about the vehicle's history and have it inspected to ensure it is in good condition before buying it.
