Most Reliable Used Cars: Find The Best Long-Lasting Vehicles

You're a New York or New Jersey resident, which means you need the most reliable used cars at the best possible prices. Shop our Used Car Superstores, and that's precisely what you'll find. We are a dedicated used car dealership, which means all the cheap reliable cars in our inventory are the most reliable vehicles in pre-owned condition.

To help savvy shoppers like you find inexpensive cars that showcase new technology without the new-model price tag, our team created this used car buying guide. Scroll down for helpful insights into the most reliable car brands, a chart detailing used vehicle reliability ratings and used cars with the least repairs, and an incredibly detailed FAQ section. Once you find a dependable automaker you love, browse our current selection to find your perfect fit!

What Are Second-Hand Cars & How Do They Benefit Drivers?

Second-hand cars are affordable machines that are too often overlooked because of their "pre-owned" status. Some people may falsely believe that purchasing a used vehicle signals to others that they can't afford a new model; in actuality, buying second-hand but reliable trucks, SUVs, and sedans is a sign of maturity and fiscal responsibility.

Second-hand vehicles tend to come with lower monthly payments and less depreciation than brand-new automobiles, and thanks to their more accessible prices, you're also more likely to afford a top-spec trim with higher-end features like leather upholstery and elevated technology. Click to learn more about the benefits of second-hand vehicles, including our one-owner pre-owned models, or stay here for a closer look at today's most reliable car brands.

What Are the Most Reliable Car Brands & Why?

The most dependable used cars frequently reach high mileage with lower-than-average maintenance costs. They rarely break down, and when they do, repairs are straightforward and affordable. This win-win scenario may sound too good to be true, but if you know how to suss out the duds from the dependables, you can snag cheap reliable cars like a used Kia sedan and enjoy a huge return on your investment.

Kia

It may surprise you to know that the Kia brand has made tremendous strides in reliability in recent years, a move that's landed them on our most dependable used cars list. According to J.D. Power reviews, the best used Kia cars are the Soul, Forte, and Optima,³ while the EV9, Sportage Hybrid, and Telluride claim Edmunds Top-Rated awards.²

Chevrolet

The Chevy brand is well-known for producing reliable trucks – the Silverado is outlined in our chart below – but did you know this automaker is also responsible for creating some of the most reliable used sports cars​? The Chevy Corvette has consistently scored high J.D. Power ratings alongside the Silverado 1500 truck and Tahoe SUV.³

Hyundai

Hyundai sedans and SUVs are ideal second-hand used cars because of their high driver-satisfaction ratings and affordable annual maintenance. J.D. Power spotlights the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Elantra, and Tucson as three of their most reliable used cars,³ and Edmunds pays special tribute to the 2023 IONIQ 5.²

Toyota

Judging by J.D. Power scores, the most reliable used Toyota cars, including sedan, SUV, and truck options, are the Camry, 4Runner, and Tundra,³ though the entire lineup of Toyota vehicles has claimed countless reliability awards throughout the automaker's history. Toyota also produces some of the top high-mileage reliable used cars, which include the Camry, 4Runner, and RAV4.

Honda

Another brand that's regaled for its high-mileage reliable used cars is Honda: The Civic and CR-V models garnered great J.D. Power Reliability and Driver Experience ratings³ and Edmunds has long promoted the Civic as the top choice within the compact sedan segment.²

Compare Five of the Most Reliable Car Brands

How To Find the Most Reliable Used Cars: Your Helpful Buying Guide

Everyone has different opinions about the most reliable car brands; some say you should stick with tried-and-true manufacturers like Toyota, Chevy, or Honda, while others enjoy underdogs like Kia or Hyundai that have worked hard to prove their worth. Whether you shop one of our two used car dealers in New York or our New Jersey location, here's a helpful pre-owned buying checklist to help make sure you find the best possible used vehicle.

1. Look for models with the lowest possible mileage; below 150,000 miles is your best bet.
2. Check vehicle history for a number of past owners, title status, and accident records.
3. Tour the model to check for interior and exterior wear and functioning technology.
4. Test-drive your top choice to evaluate the vehicle's braking, acceleration, and steering behavior.
5. Schedule an off-site inspection with a trusted mechanic to investigate any current or potential problems with engines, transmissions, or other major systems.

We recommend moving on to a different pre-owned vehicle if you find extensive wear and tear or rust, torn upholstery, broken infotainment screens or buttons, lit-up dashboard alerts, or strange banging or knocking noises while driving.

Shop Used Car Superstores for the Most Reliable Used Cars

Used Car Superstores has three convenient locations: Visit us on Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County, NY, on Sunrise Highway in Suffolk County, NY, or on Washington Avenue in Essex County, NJ. We offer premium used car specials on hundreds of today's best vehicles.

Take a digital stroll through our CPO offerings to find a warrantied model you love, or call or text us via our website for answers to common trade-in and financing questions. If you happen to be our NY or NJ neighbor, contact us today to tour and test-drive our premium selection of the most reliable used cars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most reliable used cars to buy in 2025?

The most reliable car brands to purchase used in 2025 are Kia, Chevy, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda. That's why our three Used Car Superstores locations focus their inventory on these five automakers! We also carry other popular auto brands – browse our inventory to see which ones – but it's hard to beat a pre-owned Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Chevy Silverado, Kia Soul, or Hyundai Elantra.

Which used car brands have the best vehicle reliability ratings?

The highest vehicle reliability ratings go to Kia, Chevy, Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda. For example, the Chevrolet Corvette earned a J.D. Power Reliability Rating of 93/100 in 2022 and 92/100 in 2023.³ The Kia Forte follows close behind with a 2024 J.D. Power Reliability Rating of 89/100.³ We carry these brands and more at our three Used Car Superstores locations.

Which used cars have the least maintenance cost?

If you're searching for used cars with the least repairs, look no further than the Toyota Camry or Honda Civic. With respective annual maintenance costs of $388 and $368,¹ these two sedans are affordable to service and can be dependable for hundreds of thousands of miles. The Kia Forte, Optima, and Soul also have reasonable annual costs.¹ Shop our reliable used inventory online today!

Which are the most reliable used Kia cars?

According to J.D. Power data from the past five years, the best used Kia cars are the Forte and Optima.³ Kia SUVs also have histories of longevity, so if you've set your sights on a Soul, Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, or Telluride, you'll likely get dependable performance. Curious about Kia electric reliability? Call or visit our superstore to explore options like the EV9.

What are the best used Honda models?

You could likely close your eyes and point to any Honda vehicle and drive home with long-lasting reliability, but according to expert reviews, the best used Honda options from the past five years are the Civic, Civic Hybrid, and CR-V, with the Civic earning J.D. Power scores as high as 86/100 for Quality & Reliability.³ Explore these models and more at our Used Car Superstores.

What is the most inexpensive and reliable vehicle?

According to used vehicle reliability ratings, the most dependable used cars with the lowest price tags are the Kia Optima, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Accord, and Chevrolet Silverado. Find these models and more at Used Car Superstores, but dependable, low-mileage inventory like this doesn't last forever, so stop by today to take your pick of our best automakers and variants.

Are certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles more reliable than regular used cars?

In general, narrowing your search for the most reliable used cars to CPO models will increase dependability. While all used vehicles are usually inspected and repaired before hitting the sales floor, Certified Pre-Owned models take longevity a step further by offering warranty coverage. Buying CPO also means you'll take home a vehicle with lower mileage than a traditional used car, which can increase its lifespan, too.

Which used SUVs are known for their long-term reliability?

SUVs are a dime a dozen in today's market, but finding reliable SUVs is another thing altogether. Based on current research, the most reliable SUVs you could purchase are the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota 4Runner, and Kia Soul, Sportage, or Telluride. We also carry a selection of other well-known SUV brands like trendy Nissan models to rugged Ford and GMC editions.

How can I check a used car’s reliability before buying?

The best way to check a used car's reliability before signing any paperwork is to examine its vehicle history and mileage, check for any dashboard lights, make sure technology and safety features are functioning, and ask an outside mechanic to examine major systems for damage or potential problems. At Used Car Superstores, we're transparent about all of this information so you can feel confident in your decision.

Do used car dealerships offer warranties?

Yes, many used car dealerships offer pre-owned limited powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties for their CPO, or Certified Pre-Owned, inventory. Our three Used Car Superstores locations offer CPO warranties,⁵ so you can gain even more peace of mind with your purchase. Certified Pre-Owned models also tend to have very low mileage and have passed rigorous multipoint inspections.

Which trucks have the best resale value?

Reliable trucks like the Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tacoma have high resale values, with the Silverado earning a "Great" rating and the Tacoma scoring a "Best" rating, per J.D. Power.³ What's more, CarEdge calculations show us that a Silverado is still worth 66.11% of its original cost four years after purchase,⁶ while a Tacoma retains 76.71% of its value in the same time frame.⁷

¹Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://repairpal.com/

²Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.edmunds.com/top-rated/

³Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/

⁴Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.edmunds.com/most-popular-cars/

⁵Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.

⁶Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://caredge.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/depreciation#:~:text=A%20Chevrolet%20Silverado%201500%20will,year%20resale%20value%20of%20$36%2C975.

⁷Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://caredge.com/toyota/tacoma/depreciation