Buying a used car is inherently riskier than buying a new one. Sure, pre-purchase inspections and CarFax reports can give buyers some peace of mind, but in many instances, potentially costly problems can still go unnoticed until weeks or months after a vehicle’s title has changed hands.
When unexpected issues do arise, used car owners usually don’t have the option to return their vehicle and instead have to shoulder the cost of repairs — and the weight of any buyer’s remorse that comes with them.
New cars are far less likely to present unexpected problems, at least for the first few years, but purchasing a vehicle new is simply out of reach financially for the bulk of car buyers. In fact, almost three times as many used cars are sold per year compared to new cars, according to Consumer Affairs.
Related: The best used cars under $20k according to Consumer Reports
One way to mitigate the risk of unexpected repair costs when shopping for a used vehicle is to know what to avoid.
While some car models have earned a reputation for reliability, others tend to have frequent and compounding problems as they age, costing their owners both money and time. Eliminating these models from consideration can be a solid first step in finding that perfect used car.
How does Consumer Reports identify unreliable car models?
Consumer Reports is a non-profit organization that tests products, advocates for consumers, and surveys its over 6 million members about the products they own and use every day — including cars. By polling its members about their experiences with their own vehicles, CR gathers information about how different models perform over time, what problems tend to arise with them, and how much these problems cost to fix.
For each model year, CR establishes a baseline of how many issues arise on average and how much the resulting repairs cost. Based on this analysis, CR has identified over 50 used car models from various years that exceed this baseline most dramatically, deeming them “used cars to avoid buying.”
The least-reliable used car models from 2014–2023 according to Consumer Reports
Most used car shoppers are looking for something reliable but affordable.
If you’re shopping pre-owned and want to avoid buying a ride that ends up costing more in repairs than it’s worth, eliminating the following vehicles from your consideration before further narrowing your search could be a good first step.
These are the used vehicles that Consumer Reports identified as markedly unreliable compared to their peers based on survey data from millions of vehicle owners:
Audi
- Audi A3: 2019
- Audi A6: 2019
- Audi Q3: 2016, 2022
- Audi E-Tron: 2019
Buick
- Encore: 2015, 2017
- Encore GX: 2020
Cadillac
- Cadillac XT4: 2019
Chevrolet
- Chevy Blazer: 2023
- Chevy Bolt: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Chevy Cruze: 2014
- Chevy Malibu: 2014
- Chevy Suburban: 2021, 2023
- Chevy Tahoe: 2016, 2017, 2021
- Chevy Traverse: 2018
Chrysler
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: 2018, 2021, 2022
- Chrysler Town & Country: 2016
Ford
- Ford Escape: 2021
- Ford Escape Hybrid: 2020
- Ford Expedition: 2017, 2018, 2019
- Ford Explorer: 2016, 2020
- Ford F-150 Hybrid: 2021, 2022
- Ford F-250: 2019, 2021
- Ford Mustang: 2020
More automotive:
- The 10 least dependable cars according to Consumer Reports
- The longest-lasting car models (200k+ miles) according to Consumer Reports
- Hybrid cars with the best fuel economy according to Consumer Reports
GMC
- GMC Acadia: 2018
- GMC Yukon: 2016, 2017, 2021
- GMC Yukon XL: 2021, 2023
Hyundai
- Hyundai Ioniq: 2020
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: 2022
- Hyundai Kona Electric: 2019
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2014
- Hyundai Sonata: 2017, 2018
- Hyundai Tucson: 2016, 2017
Jeep
- Jeep Cherokee: 2014
- Jeep Gladiator: 2020
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 2021
- Jeep Wrangler: 2018, 2020, 2021
Kia
- Kia Niro: 2019
- Kia Soul: 2021
Mazda
- Mazda CX9: 2023
Mercedez-Benz
- Mercedez-Benz C-Class: 2018
Mini
- Mini Cooper: 2018
Nissan
- Nissan Frontier: 2023
- Nissan Pathfinder: 2023
- Nissan Rogue: 2022
Ram
- Ram 2500: 2017, 2022
Rivian
- Rivian R1T: 2022
Tesla
- Tesla Model S: 2019, 2020, 2021
- Tesla Model X: 2018, 2022
Volkswagon
- Volkswagen Atlas: 2021
- Volkswagen ID.4: 2021, 2023
- Volkswagen Jetta: 2014, 2021
- Volkswagen Taos: 2022
- Volkswagen Tiguan: 2018
Volvo
- Volvo S60: 2015, 2022
- Volvo V60: 2015, 2020
- Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid: 2022, 2023
- Volvo XC90: 2016, 2019
Related: The 30 most reliable car brands in 2024, according to Consumer Reports
Tips for buying a safe and reliable used car
Consumer Reports’ analysis makes it clear what models and years to avoid when shopping for a used vehicle, but once the least reliable models have been eliminated, what’s the best way to sort through everything that remains?
The average used car costs around $29,000 in 2024, so it’s more important than ever for buyers to shop mindfully. One way to do this is to pay for a full CarFax report (which includes major events like collisions and repairs) on each vehicle you are seriously considering if the seller hasn’t already provided one.
Some mechanics recommend steering clear of cars that have been in major collisions, even if they seem to be fully repaired. These vehicles may have been weakened structurally, which can make them less safe in future accidents. Additionally, not all components of a vehicle are easily visible, so even if the car’s body and major components were repaired, issues with smaller parts that were overlooked could lead to complications down the line.
If you have a good mechanic who is willing to perform pre-purchase inspections for a reasonable price, it may be worth negotiating to purchase a package of four or five inspections for a slightly discounted rate. This way, you can bring multiple vehicles in to be evaluated, and a trained mechanic can give you a clearer idea of whether any have serious problems and which one might be the best value for your money.
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