Used Car Reliability Rankings Reveal Surprising Results
A new study on used vehicle dependability has delivered unexpected results, placing electric vehicle pioneer Tesla at the very bottom of the list. The rankings, which assessed 26 popular automotive brands, show a significant shake-up in consumer perceptions of long-term reliability.
Established Brands Lead, Tesla Lags Behind
The top of the reliability ranking is dominated by brands with long-standing reputations for building durable vehicles. Japanese manufacturers, in particular, continue to perform strongly, with models known for their robust engineering and lower cost of ownership over time. These results will likely reinforce buyer confidence in certain mainstream marques when shopping the pre-owned market.
Meanwhile, the story at the bottom of the list is generating more discussion. Tesla finds itself ranked last, even trailing behind brands like Jeep, which has historically faced criticism in some reliability surveys. This placement suggests that issues reported by owners—potentially related to complex electronics, build quality, or battery longevity—are impacting the perceived dependability of its older models.
What This Means for Used Car Shoppers
For consumers, this study highlights the importance of looking beyond a vehicle’s powertrain or brand cachet. A car’s reliability history is a critical factor in total cost of ownership, affecting maintenance expenses and potential downtime. While Tesla leads in areas like software innovation and performance, the data indicates that its long-term durability may not yet match that of more conventional automakers.
Shoppers are advised to conduct thorough research on specific model years and review historical data for any vehicle, as brand-wide rankings can sometimes mask the performance of individual models. The evolving technology in both electric and internal combustion vehicles means reliability trends can shift rapidly from one model year to the next.