Buying a used car is a great way to save money. But many people wonder if a secondhand vehicle will be reliable.
Edmunds hopes to ease those concerns. The automotive information website recently identified the most reliable vehicles that sell for $15,000 or less.
Edmunds based its list on three factors:
- Consumer Reports owner survey data
- Reliability ratings from RepairPal
- Edmunds consumer reviews
Here are the most reliable cars under $15,000. All cars on the list are less than 15 years old.
2014-2016 Mazda 3
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used car under $10,000”
The first Mazda 3 hit American streets in 2004, available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. It was based on Ford’s C1 platform, which was used under the European Ford Escort.. Over time, the Mazda 3 grew slightly longer and wider.
2012-2015 Toyota RAV4
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used SUV under $10,000”
In 1994, the Toyota RAV4 made its debut as the first-ever crossover vehicle, according to Toyota: It had the look and feel of an SUV but was built on a unibody platform.
The fourth and latest generation of the vehicle has been on the market since 2013.
2012-2019 Toyota Prius C
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used compact car under $15,000”
The Toyota Prius C was unveiled in 2011 and was intended to serve as a hybrid that could be used for commuting. In fact, the “C” stands for “city.” Today, the subcompact car remains a top seller for Toyota.
2013-2017 Honda Accord
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used midsize car under $15,000”
The Honda Accord‘s roots reach all the way back to 1976, when it was a two-door hatchback, and it has been one of the top-selling sedans ever since. It was the first Japanese car built in America.
2012-2015 Lexus ES 350
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used luxury car under $15,000”
The Lexus LS burst onto the scene in 1990, and the Lexus ES quietly tagged along. The ES was intended to be more of an entry-level option. It has grown bigger over the years and is sometimes compared to the Toyota Avalon.
2012-2016 Honda CR-V
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used compact SUV under $15,000”
The Honda CR-V first appeared in Japan in 1995, although it was the 1997 model that first rolled into U.S. dealerships. The 2023 Honda CR-V marked the sixth generation of the vehicle.
2014-2019 Toyota Highlander
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used midsize SUV under $15,000”
The Toyota Highlander was introduced in 2001 and offered the “best of both worlds” — handling like a car but designed to go off-road if needed — according to Motor Trend. It’s a midsize SUV, larger than the Toyota RAV4 but smaller than the 4Runner.
In 2004, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid was unveiled as the first seven-seat hybrid vehicle, although it’s built on the Toyota Camry platform. It showed the world that hybrid cars don’t have to be small.
2012-2014 Volvo XC90
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used luxury SUV under $15,000”
The Volvo XC90 was introduced in 2002 as the first SUV that Americans could purchase from Volvo. Drivers were ready and waiting: Before sales even began, dealers had received 15,000 orders. It was even named Sweden’s most valuable export product.
2015-2019 Toyota Tacoma
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used midsize truck”
In the mid-1990s, the Toyota Tacoma was known as a compact pickup. But after a series of refinements, it found its way into the midsize category.
The name is derived from the Salish Indian word for the mountain in Washington state that we know today as Mount Rainier.
2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
How Edmunds describes this vehicle: “Most reliable used full-size truck”
For many decades, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was known as the C/K, but that changed in the 21st century. The pickup truck is one of GM’s top-selling vehicles of all time.
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