Buying guide · updated 2026-10-30
The cheapest used car to maintain that we rate is the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, with about $809 of expected repairs between ages 3 and 8. The 2017 Toyota Camry and the 2016 Toyota RAV4 are next.
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $20,936; repairs about $809 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $13,039; repairs about $830 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $14,215; repairs about $949 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $18,626; repairs about $967 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $11,153; repairs about $1,106 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Half-ton pickups. Typical price about $23,164; repairs about $1,106 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $14,335; repairs about $1,131 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 1 recall.
Compact cars. Typical price about $12,867; repairs about $1,159 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 1 recall.
Compact cars. Typical price about $9,127; repairs about $1,185 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $9,913; repairs about $1,186 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $9,625; repairs about $1,187 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 2 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $20,763; repairs about $1,216 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 1 recall.
Minivans. Typical price about $14,638; repairs about $1,229 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $15,049; repairs about $1,231 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 0 recalls.
Midsize pickups. Typical price about $18,228; repairs about $1,250 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $12,024; repairs about $1,275 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 1 recall.
Compact cars. Typical price about $13,213; repairs about $1,285 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 2 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $11,389; repairs about $1,287 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $12,534; repairs about $1,312 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 2 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $14,443; repairs about $1,343 between ages 3 and 8. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
How we rank: each model year's reliability score (0–100) compares its owner complaints filed with NHTSA, per car sold, with similar cars from 2015–2024. Repair costs are our forecast for the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year. Prices are our estimate of a typical used asking price today; mileage, trim and condition move the real price a lot. Cost to own adds the value the car loses, repairs and fuel at $3.40 a gallon. Model years with too little data for a confident rating are left out. Data through 2026-10-30.
The cheapest used car to maintain that we rate is the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, with about $809 of expected repairs between ages 3 and 8. The 2017 Toyota Camry and the 2016 Toyota RAV4 are next.
No. It's our forecast of repairs (unexpected fixes such as engine, transmission, electrical and brake problems), not routine maintenance, which costs about the same for most cars of a size.