The most reliable used cars for the money, according to study
FILE - Used vehicles for sale at a dealership in Colma, California, on June 21, 2024. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
When shopping for a used car, affordability, safety, and reliability are likely some of the top priorities.
A study, published this week by iSeeCars.com, analyzed the prices of more than 700,000 used cars and the odometer readings of over 368 million used cars. Honda was found to have three models in the top 12 most reliable 5-year-old used cars for the money, according to the study.
Top most reliable used vehicles, according to study
What we know:
While Honda had three models in the top 12, Mitsubishi and Toyota each had two models and Buick, Infiniti, Kia, and Mazda had one car each. All of these cars were found to offer 6.9 or more years of remaining lifespan, while having a price per remaining year below $2,400, according to the study.
When it comes to used hybrids, the Toyota Prius was found to be the most reliable 5-year-old vehicle for the money, while the Tesla Model S was among the most reliable 10-year-old used cars for the money, and the only electric car in the top rankings, the study found.
Trucks were found to have the longest remaining lifespan of any vehicle type in the study. The Nissan Frontier led the rankings, followed by the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma.
For 5-year-old SUVs, the Buick Encore had the lowest price per remaining year, while still having an 8.8-year remaining lifespan. This was followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the Honda CR-V.
RELATED: The most reliable new cars for your money in 2025, according to study
By the numbers:
Coming in at No. 1 was the Honda Fit with an 11.6-year remaining lifespan and an average list price of $18,336, or a $1,583 price per year, the study found. The Honda Fit was also the most reliable 10-year-old used car.
The study found that the average 5-year-old used car costs $26,206 and has an average remaining lifespan of 7.6 years.
The average 10-year-old used car costs $15,655 and has an average remaining lifespan of 6 years, according to the study.
What they're saying:
"Used car prices have dropped from their COVID-induced record highs, but they remain well above pre-COVID pricing levels," iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer said in a statement. "And with tariffs looming, it’s possible new and used prices could rise again."
Study: Most reliable 5-year-old used cars for the money
- Honda Fit - Average list price: $18,336, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 11.6 years
- Volkswagen Passat - Average list price: $17,636, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 9.6 years
- Buick Encore - Average list price: $16,633, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 8.8 years
- Kia Rio 5-Door - Average list price: $14,037, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 6.9 years
- Honda Civic - Average list price: $20,157, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 9.8 years
- Mazda Mazda3 (hatchback) - Average list price: $20,262, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 9.8 years
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - Average list price: $15,821, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 7.5 years
- Toyota Yaris - Average list price: $16,427, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 7.6 years
- Toyota Corolla - Average list price: $17,728, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 8.1 years
- Infinity Q50 - Average list price: $24,000, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 10.6 years
- Honda CR-V - Average list price: $24,524, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 10.8 years
- Mitsubishi Outlander - Average list price: $17,011, Expected Remaining Lifespan: 7.2
*Overall 5-Year-Old Used Car Average: $26,206, Expected Remaining Lifespan 7.6 years
Click here to see the full study and findings from iSeeCars.com.
The Source: This story was written based on information published by iSeeCars.com on Feb. 25, 2025, for the results of a study in a report titled, "The Most Reliable Used Cars for the Money for 2025." It was reported from Cincinnati.