Is this a good reliable car?

This question is usually asked about a specific car that the asker is considering to buy. It might be a general question about a particular make/model/year car. Or it might be a very specific car that the asker found for sale on an online web site.

This is always a tough question to answer because every car is different, even those of the same make, model, and year. Some have been well maintained and driven sensibly. Others have not.

Even a very reliable brand can have problems if it has not been maintained properly and regularly.

A car that has been wrecked and repaired may not be as reliable as one that has not, especially if non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement parts have been used.

But if we ignore these kinds of possible differences, certain car brands are known to have better quality and reliability than other brands. Some makes and models have fewer problems than others.

Consumer Reports magazine conducts annual car owner surveys to find out not only which makes and models have problems, but exactly the kinds of problems they have experienced. After thousands of survey responses have been compiled, a clear picture appears of how the various car brands measure up. New results are published each year in the April Auto Issue of the magazine, as well as on the Consumer Reports web site (www.consumerreports.org).
What about brand reliability? Which makes are most reliable?

For a specific car, when someone asks about reliability, they are actually asking about the possibility of future problems. Clearly, nobody wants surprise breakdowns or unexpected repair bills. Buying a reliable car not only means less inconvenience and cost but also greater piece-of-mind.

According to Consumer Reports' latest survey (as of this writing), the top ten brands for reliability are as follows:

Honda (most reliable brand)
Acura
Scion (Toyota)
Subaru
Toyota
Lexus
Infiniti
Mitsubishi
Porsche
Buick (GM)

Notice that only one (Buick) is an American brand. The others, except for German-made Porsche, are Japanese brands. Therefore, in general, Japanese brands are more reliable than most American, European, and Korean brands.

Interestingly, the lowest rated five brands (bottom-up) are:

Land Rover (least reliable brand)
Hummer (GM)
Cadillac (GM)
Mercedes-Benz
Pontiac (GM)

Of these least reliable brands, all except Pontiac are considered premium luxury brands. We guess you don't get what you pay for these days.
Yes, but is this car reliable?

As we've seen, Honda is the most reliable of all car brands. Does this mean if you go out and buy a 1996 Honda Accord with 120,000 miles it will give you no problems for the next 100,000 miles?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Reliability surveys only cover about the last 5-6 years. After 6 years, at an average 15,000 miles per year, a car will have 100,000 miles or more on the odometer. Any car in that mileage range, regardless of initial reliability, can have problems, especially if it hasn't been driven sensibly or maintained properly. For example, Honda recommends that engine timing chains be replaced at 65,000 miles. To not do so means the engine could be destroyed if the chain breaks. To buy a normally very reliable Honda with 100,000 miles on which the timing chain has never been replaced is a big risk.

So, what is the answer?

If you are considering buying a older used car with high mileage, the only way, repeat only way, you can know the condition of the car and its chances of future problems is to have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic.

You should never totally depend on a car seller's statement about the vehicle's condition or how it has been maintained. A car can easily have problems that the seller is not aware of. Remember, used cars are sold "as-is" which means if problems are found later, it is too late to do anything about it.