Most Reliable Used Cars Under $15,000

The Toyota Prius may have been the butt of jokes for the last couple of decades, but it's going to get the last laugh on all of us thanks to its incredible reliability and low cost of ownership. That's why we weren't surprised to see that, based on our criteria, the Toyota Prius C remains the most reliable used car you can buy on a tight budget. That said, we realize that this vehicle may not fit everyone's needs, which is why we gathered a list of the most reliable cars, trucks and SUVs available for under $15,000. The list was curated based on Consumer Reports owner survey data, RepairPal data and Edmunds consumer reviews. We've kept our picks to newer than 15 years old in most cases to maximize factors such as repairability, parts availability and safety.

If you're looking for a list of vehicles that are a bit more modern, take a look at our Most Reliable Trucks, Most Reliable Used SUVs and Most Reliable Cars stories.

Note: We can't guarantee that every vehicle on this list will be 100% reliable in the real world, as several factors can affect reliability, such as the maintenance history, style of driving, mileage and overall age. The older the model years you search, the less expensive the vehicle is likely to be; however, time does take a toll on certain parts regardless of how well the vehicle was kept. We recommend leaving room in your budget for a prepurchase inspection from a qualified mechanic if at all possible.

Most reliable used car under $10,000: 2014-2016 Mazda 3

Mazda's compact cutie has a lot going for it. It's handsome and fun to drive, and it gets great gas mileage. It's also proven to be both affordable and dependable on the used market. A large part of that likely comes down to a combination of an under-stressed powertrain and good old-fashioned Japanese engineering, coupled with excellent overall build quality. It's still a tough one to beat.

Consumer reviews: 4.4 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4 out of 5

Most reliable used SUV under $10,000: 2012-2015 Toyota RAV4

You knew that a Toyota RAV4 was going to end up somewhere on this list of most reliable cars. Toyota's brand is built on reliability, and the compact RAV4 exemplifies that. We recommend going with the fourth-generation RAV4, which came out in 2012, for the best bang-for-your-buck experience. It offers great engines, excellent build quality, and enough modern convenience features to make daily driving pleasant if not exciting.

Consumer reviews: 4.1 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4.5 out of 5

Most reliable used compact car under $15,000: 2012-2019 Toyota Prius C

The Prius has become so common on our roads that it's nearly invisible, and that so many Priuses are older vehicles really says something about their longevity. With that in mind, our best bet for a reliable compact under $15K is none other than the Toyota Prius C. The Prius C debuted for the 2012 model year and had a ton in common with its larger siblings, the Prius and Prius V. What it didn't share was those models' larger footprint, making the C even easier to live with in a city and giving it slightly better fuel mileage. The Prius' high-voltage battery has also proven to hold up fairly well over the years, and even if it goes bad, it's reasonably economical to replace.

Consumer reviews: 4.6 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4.5 out of 5

Most reliable used midsize car under $15,000: 2013-2017 Honda Accord

Honda's reliability, longevity and resale values are legendary, and that's for good reason. The Accord is a solidly built sedan with one of the best four-cylinder engines ever made, plus it offers excellent fuel economy, plenty of room inside and low running costs. Accords are ubiquitous, which works to your advantage when shopping for a used one — you'll have a veritable rainbow of colors, conditions and trim levels to choose from. A budget of $15,000 should see you spoiled for choice.

Consumer reviews: 4.4 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4.5 out of 5

Most reliable used luxury car under $15,000: 2012-2015 Lexus ES 350

Some things are just facts of life. Water is wet, the sky is blue, and Lexus makes reliable luxury cars. The ES may not be exciting, but it has a lot to offer. Lexus build quality is the benchmark for carmakers around the world, and the excellent-quality materials tend to hold up to the test of time. The styling of the sixth-generation ES is a little polarizing as it marked the introduction of the "spindle grille" to the model, but it's much more restrained in these model years than later on. This one is hard to beat and should provide years of comfortable and sedate motoring.

Consumer reviews: 4.5 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4.5 out of 5

Most reliable used compact SUV under $15,000: 2012-2016 Honda CR-V

The fourth-generation CR-V might not win you over with its looks, but it represents Honda flexing its practical car-making muscle to the utmost. Not only is the 2012-2016 CR-V convenient to live with and inexpensive to drive, but it's a Honda, so it will run practically forever with regular, reasonably priced maintenance. It's not the most comfortable SUV in the class, but you'd be hard-pressed to find fault elsewhere.

Consumer reviews: 4.1 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4.5 out of 5

Most reliable used midsize SUV under $15,000: 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander

The 2014 model year marked the introduction of Toyota's third-generation Highlander. This family-friendly crossover proved wildly popular with consumers and remains so on the used market thanks to its ample space; hard-wearing, kid-friendly interior; reasonably frugal drivetrains and excellent reliability. Resale values on Highlanders are strong, so the sub-$15K market isn't quite as thick as with other models, but it's worth waiting to find the right one.

Consumer reviews: 4 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4 out of 5

Most reliable used luxury SUV under $15,000: 2012-2014 Volvo XC90

European brands, particularly luxury brands, don't necessarily have great reputations for reliability, but there's an exception to every rule, and in this case, it's the first-generation Volvo XC90 SUV. This model was in production for over a decade with a handful of face-lifts to keep it relevant, and that means that by the final iteration of the XC90, Volvo had it pretty well dialed in. The five-cylinder and six-cylinder drivetrains were well engineered and relatively problem-free. The interiors are extremely comfortable, and while the exterior might not be the most fashionable on the block, it still looks pretty good in 2025.

Consumer reviews: 4.3 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 3.5 out of 5

Most reliable used midsize truck: 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a workhorse. Toyota got the second generation of the Tacoma, the alligator of the midsize truck world, so right that the changes over the years to keep it an apex predator have been minimal. Sure, it gets less-than-stellar fuel economy, but it's going to get you to work every morning and take whatever you can throw at it on the weekend. The Tacoma is still the midsize truck benchmark for a reason, and while the fourth-generation Taco and its turbo engine have a lot to offer, you're going to pay way more than $15,000 for the privilege of owning one.

Consumer reviews: 3.7 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 4 out of 5

Most reliable used full-size truck: 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

A full-size truck needs to be a lot of things, but dependable is right at the top of the list. With a fully boxed frame, an excellent array of V8 engines, nice interior appointments, and styling cribbed from the much-beloved square-body pickups of the 1970s and '80s, the third-generation Silverado 1500 is one heck of a half-ton truck. These trucks are still seen all over, wherever people are working hard, and their popularity means it's easy to find one with the features you need on the used market. Stick to the V8 models for their better power and torque, though that comes at the cost of fuel economy.

Consumer reviews: 3.5 out of 5
RepairPal reliability score: 3.5 out of 5