QOTD: What Brand Makes the Best Used Cars?

by Tim Healey

Published: September 20th, 2024

On today's podcast, we spoke with Consumer Reports about their ranking of brands that make the best used cars.

Their approach is data-driven and quite interesting. But I am curious if your anecdotal experience matches up.

That's not to say anecdote is data -- we know it's not. I prefer CR's data-based approach, since it will help you see the big picture.

That said, some of you have had experiences that don't match up to what companies like Consumer Reports or J.D. Power or find. Others of you will read the Consumer Reports piece or listen to the podcast and nod your head in solidarity.

So which is it? I want to see what your experiences have been as you've purchased used cars over the years.

Sound off below.

[Image: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com]

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Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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2 of 12 comments

Big Al from Oz 4 minutes ago
Well, the best manufacturer of a used vehicle? Who makes used cars? If we are asking which manufacturer produced the best vehicle for resale I would think most any (with a few exceptions). Used vehicle condition is dependent upon the maintenance performed over its life cycle. There are good Mitsubishis and Nissans out there, somewhere.

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Jkross22 2 minutes ago
It's the one with some warranty left.

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Recent Comments

Ajla Anything over about 5 years or 50k miles and you're buying the prior owner's maintenance and driving habits as much as you are the brand.
Loser I had a spice red 06, only complaint was the stereo sucked. The low end torque was intoxicating. Had an ‘04 Mustang Mach that I really loved but the GTO was a huge upgrade. It was probably the best road trip car I’ve ever had. They were just about giving them away when I got mine. Never understood why they didn’t sell better. People say it was too bland but it was perfect to me.
Lou_BC "What Brand Makes the Best Used Cars?" . .. None... They build new cars.
Lou_BC None. . . They build new cars.
SilverCoupe Well, I have had five cars over the last 46 years of car ownership, that have lasted me 6, 7, 10, 10, and 13 years (all but one purchased used), so my current car, a 16 year old '08 Audi A5 purchased in 2011, is the winner. I just drove it from Philly to the New York area and back to Philly today, and it remains rock solid.