There are many reliability estimates around the world based on the failure statistics of certain models. In Germany, for example, reliability assessments are carried out by Dekra and TUV inspectors, as well as the German automobile club ADAC. The largest study in the United States is the work of the independent organization Consumer Reports and marketing agency JD Power, which polls thousands of car owners.
Used car reliability ratings vary by study, but if we only look at high mileage cars, the most durable ones are about the same. Here are ten cars with very high mileage that you can safely buy.
Subaru Forester
The fact that more than 15% of Forester owners do not want to change their car even after more than 10 years of operation indicates not only that the brand has a loyal audience, but also speaks of the reliability of this particular model. Forester of different years of production is always next to the top three in the American reliability rating. The crossover was never bought for racing, and the design of regular versions with non-turbo engines and a four-speed automatic is considered indestructible. All this is true for both the second generation (SG) and the third (SH).
Ford Fusion
The Ford brand rarely makes it into the reliability rankings due to its inherently cheap construction and components, but the Fusion minivan, which has been produced in Germany since 2002, is truly renowned for its reliability, even when it comes to vehicles that are nearly 20 years old. The car is equipped with a simple atmospheric engine with a volume of 1.4 or 1.6 liters, most often paired with a mechanical transmission, it has a solid suspension and high ground clearance. Only cheap interior cladding does not stand the test of time.
Toyota Corolla
It is no coincidence that the Corolla family is the largest on the planet. The standard of reliability usually applies to cars of the ninth generation with the E120 index, whose owners drive without serious damage for at least ten years. The body does not rust, and atmospheric engines with a volume of 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 liters pass several hundred thousand kilometers without repair. Owners of older such vehicles report only problems with the electrical system.
Audi TT
Strange as it may seem, a turbocharged sports car consistently ranks among several high-mileage car reliability ratings. This is the first generation of the model, equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. In general, this car is much simpler than modern similar cars, and before the advent of the DSG box, the car was equipped with a reliable Tiptronic automatic machine. Owners just have to be careful with turbocharging.
Audi A6
The second generation A6 topped the ADAC reliability rating in Germany 15 years ago and nothing has changed dramatically since then. Newer versions consistently top the charts for 3- and 5-year-olds, while older versions top many charts for cars over 10 years old. Fifteen years ago, this range was based on naturally aspirated V6 engines, and these versions are successfully used to this day. CVT and air suspension create problems here. The next third generation of the A6 received a lot of electronics, which already slightly reduced the overall reliability of the model.
We continue with scenes about used car reliability, which vary by study, but if we only look at high mileage cars, the most durable ones are about the same. Here are the rest of the ten cars with very high mileage that you can safely buy.
Mercedes SLK
Another custom car consistently ranked in the top 10 most reliable used cars between 10 and 20 years old is the SLK. And all this is due to the high quality of workmanship and relatively simple design. The engines of the first generation model were equipped with compressors, and the 5-speed automatic was considered almost eternal. These vehicles are still in service, but many of them have not been made over the years, so finding a human-readable copy is difficult but possible.
Toyota RAV4
Nine out of ten RAV4 owners have never experienced technical problems, and this applies even to second-generation cars produced since 2001. The rest of the owners complain mainly about the electrical system. Atmospheric engines with a volume of 2.0 and 2.4 liters can be called eternal, and automation is practically indestructible. Suspension maintenance is expensive but rarely required.
Honda CR-V
Traditionally, the high reliability ratings of the Honda brand are provided mainly by the CR-V crossover, which travels at least 300 thousand km without problems. For years Consumer Reports has ranked it as the leader in class reliability, and the German TUV has consistently placed it in the top three for cars over 10 years old. Finally, in Russia, the CR-V is recognized as the most reliable used car over 15 years old (according to CarPrice).
Lexus RX
Both the brand itself and its flagship crossover have been ranked first in reliability ratings in the United States for many years in a row. According to JD Power, the Lexus RX is less problematic for owners than any other car. The reliability of this crossover from the very beginning is 95.35% and over the years this figure has not changed much. With high mileage, you can take second and third generation models, but only with naturally aspirated engines.
Toyota Camry
The unique vehicle, unrivaled in the new business sedan segment in countries such as the US and Russia, holds the lead in the aftermarket. But in Europe this model is not sold. American Consumer Reports claims that these sedans go over 300,000 kilometers without problems and calls their engines (except V6 3.5) and transmissions «millionaires». The roads in the US and Russia are filled with many of these fifth-generation (XV30) and sixth-generation (XV40) vehicles that have retained a high residual value for years.