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You buy a used car to save money, but get the wrong one and it could end up costing you more than you bargained for in repairs.
Consumer Reports collects reliability data on 250 different models.
"When we put together our recommendations for used cars, we combined a couple of data sets, one being how the cars performed when they were new in our tests. And then we also looked at reliability based on about a million cars a year that we reach out and get survey data on, looking at 17 potential trouble spots," Jeff Bartlett the Deputy Auto Editor, Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports found a number of models to avoid.
"The BMW X5, the Ford Explorer, the Dodge Caravan, the Dodge Journey, the Mini Cooper S, the Volkswagen Touareg. Cars like these carry a great risk of significant problems and we recommend that people look at alternatives," Bartlett said.
And those alternatives include plenty of cars in every price range and size that are recommended, starting with the Honda Fit.
"It's a very versatile small car with terrific fuel economy. If you want something a little bigger, Toyota Camry is a great family sedan, one that is pleasant to drive, fairly quiet, gets good gas mileage and has been shown to hold up well over time," Bartlett said. "One unsung hero is the Mazda CX9. This is a three row SUV that not only has more passenger space, but it's a little fun to drive than some of its competitors."
Of course, always bring a used car into an independent mechanic to have it checked out before you buy. It's also a good idea to bring it to a dealership to find out if there are any recalls on the model and whether or not those repairs have been made.
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