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:
Four Audi models from three different model years made the list of used cars to avoid.
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Audi
Audi A3: 2019Audi A6: 2019Audi Q3: 2016, 2022Audi E-Tron: 2019
Buick
Encore: 2015, 2017Encore GX: 2020
Cadillac
Cadillac XT4: 2019
Four different model years of the Chevy Bolt made CR’s list of least-reliable used cars.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Chevrolet
Chevy Blazer: 2023Chevy Bolt: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022Chevy Cruze: 2014Chevy Malibu: 2014Chevy Suburban: 2021, 2023Chevy Tahoe: 2016, 2017, 2021Chevy Traverse: 2018
Chrysler
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: 2018, 2021, 2022Chrysler Town & Country: 2016
Ford
Ford Escape: 2021Ford Escape Hybrid: 2020Ford Expedition: 2017, 2018, 2019Ford Explorer: 2016, 2020Ford F-150 Hybrid: 2021, 2022Ford F-250: 2019, 2021Ford Mustang: 2020
More automotive:
The 10 least dependable cars according to Consumer ReportsThe longest-lasting car models (200k+ miles) according to Consumer ReportsHybrid cars with the best fuel economy according to Consumer Reports
GMC
GMC Acadia: 2018GMC Yukon: 2016, 2017, 2021GMC Yukon XL: 2021, 2023
Six Hyundai models from 7 different model years ranked among CR’s used cars to avoid.
Hyundai
Hyundai Ioniq: 2020Hyundai Ioniq 5: 2022Hyundai Kona Electric: 2019Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2014Hyundai Sonata: 2017, 2018Hyundai Tucson: 2016, 2017
Jeep
Jeep Cherokee: 2014Jeep Gladiator: 2020Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 2021Jeep Wrangler: 2018, 2020, 2021
Kia
Kia Niro: 2019Kia Soul: 2021
Mazda
Mazda CX9: 2023
Mercedez-Benz
Mercedez-Benz C-Class: 2018
Mini
Mini Cooper: 2018
Nissan
Nissan Frontier: 2023Nissan Pathfinder: 2023Nissan Rogue: 2022
Ram
Ram 2500: 2017, 2022
Rivian
Rivian R1T: 2022
Tesla
Tesla Model S: 2019, 2020, 2021Tesla Model X: 2018, 2022
Notably, a number of electric vehicles, including the Volkswagon ID.4 (pictured abve), ranked among the leat-reliable used cars.
Volkswagon
Volkswagen Atlas: 2021Volkswagen ID.4: 2021, 2023Volkswagen Jetta: 2014, 2021Volkswagen Taos: 2022Volkswagen Tiguan: 2018
Volvo
Volvo S60: 2015, 2022Volvo V60: 2015, 2020Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid: 2022, 2023Volvo 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 the money.
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