The Most Reliable Used Cars in 2024: A List of 5 Things

Just a Lemon's Opinion

Cheap and Reliable Cars 

If you live in Michigan, you need a dependable car. One that can take the commute, the snow, the passengers, and the adventures!

No matter your reason, a reliable used car is essential to life, work, and peace of mind.

But cheap, reliable cars sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Nobody wants to spend a large amount of money on a car only to have it break down frequently or require constant maintenance that adds up in cost.

How do you find the most reliable used car, and do you have to sacrifice style and features for reliability? In this article, Pontiac Public Auto Auction in Pontiac, Michigan explores, what we think, is a list of 5 important ingredients to a reliable used car.

1. Reliability Starts with Car Brands 

First and foremost, the most reliable cars largely come from the most reliable car brands. Michigan is well acquainted with building cars that last.

Some manufacturers have a reputation for building reliable cars, while others are known for producing models that are prone to breakdowns. There are many sites, like U.S. News, that list top brands and used models.

Consumers can further research a manufacturer's reputation for reliability through online reviews, consumer reports, and just talking with your family and friends and mechanics about their experiences.

It is important to note that individual models within a brand may vary in reliability.

Reliability can’t come from bad parts. Cars with high-quality parts tend to last longer and require less maintenance than those with low-quality parts.

Manufacturers that use top-quality components and have a rigorous quality control process tend to produce the most reliable cars.

Pontiac Auto Auctions has some of the most trusted and reliable car brands on the lot. Browse our inventory here.

2. Regular Maintenance & Care

Good reliable used cars are regularly maintained. This is essential to the health of your vehicle.

Regular maintenance includes oil changes, tire rotations, tune-ups, etc. Don’t ignore that owner’s manual and the scheduled maintenance.

Scheduled maintenance is there to help you keep the car in top shape. When cars hit mileages such as 60,000 or 90,000 miles for example, it may be time to replace certain parts.

Sticking to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule can help ensure that a car stays in good condition. Remember, vehicles that are well-maintained tend to last longer and perform better.

When you come out to the auction to inspect a car, bring a mechanic or a checklist and assess if the car was maintained well.

3. Driving Conditions

In addition to regular maintenance, reliable used cars are affected by driving conditions.

In Michigan, we know all about extreme weather. And not just blizzard or slick roads, but the wear and tear of a very used car. A car that has been subjected to the elements like sitting out in cold Michigan nights, or bouncing over beaten roads may need a tune-up sooner rather than later.

Similarly, cars that are driven aggressively (quick stops or high acceleration) or are used for towing or hauling heavy loads may require more maintenance and repairs.

4. Technology

Technology is often seen as a feature in used cars. More advanced smart connections, radio displays, sound systems, climate, heaters, and power seats make a car more attractive and enjoyable but also means more parts that might break.

The most reliable used cars don’t always come with the latest gadgets.

While advanced features like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring can enhance a driver's safety and comfort, they can also introduce new potential points of failure. You ever had a sunroof break? Awful!

More parts mean more maintenance. Sophisticated technology systems may require more frequent repairs, and parts may be more expensive and harder to find.

5. Age & Mileage of Car

Finally, a used car's age and mileage impacts its reliability.

Often we at Pontiac Auto Auction have vehicles as old as the 60s, as young as a few years ago and mileage from under 25,000 to sometimes over 300,000 and 400,000! We have an inventory full of reliable cars!

Older cars with higher mileage are more likely to experience breakdowns and require more maintenance and repairs. However, this does not mean that older cars are unreliable. Again, there are plenty of used cars that pass 250,000 miles and are going strong!

How do you take a used car to over 200,000 miles?

A reliable used car is:

1. built by a reliable car brand and uses high-quality components
2. is well-maintained
3. is driven safely
4. has a manageable level of technology
5. and hasn’t reached the end of its lifespan

So, What Makes a Used Car Reliable?

While there is no guarantee that a car will be completely problem-free, taking these factors into consideration can help increase the probability of owning a used, dependable car.

It is also important to note that a car's reliability can be subjective, as different drivers have different expectations and experiences with their vehicles.

Take the time to do your research and carefully consider your own needs and preferences before purchasing. Then start bidding, here’s our auction calendar!

There are many advantages to buying a pre-owned car, truck, motorcycle or boat at our online auction here in Pontiac. 

We hold online auctions once a month on Saturdays at 10:00 am.

Give us a call (248)-373-9000 or register to bid.