Buying a Used Family Car: Top Options in 2013
When it’s time to purchase a used family car, the decision usually hedges on two main priorities: the reliability of the engine and the return on investment. Most car manufacturers provide new car owners with warranties that last roughly three years.
Therefore, it is a good idea to purchase a used family car that is between three and five years old. The bugs have been worked out, especially by the car’s fourth year. Hopefully, there aren’t too many miles on the cars, making them last a good long time, beyond just family road trips.
Warranty Direct conducted an extensive study to determine what the top ten most reliable used family cars are for 2013. These ten cars provide consumers with the most economical choices based on their reliability and manufacturer warranty service needs. It looks like Japanese cars dominate the list of best, used family cars for 2013.
Toyota
The Toyota Corolla, years 2001 through 2007, tops the list of ten most reliable used family cars. It has an average breakdown rate of 7% each year, which is not challenged by any other car on the list. The Toyota Auris (2007 – present) and Toyota Prius (2003 – 2009) also make the list in 5th and 6th places, respectively. The Auris sees an 11% annual breakdown rate, whereas the Prius sits at 12%.
Honda
Honda Motors managed to build two cars that ended up on Warranty Direct’s list of 10 most reliable used family cars. The 2006 Honda Civic and Honda Accords built between 2002 and 2008 made the list in 2nd and 3rd places. Both Hondas have 10% breakdown rates per year.
Mazda
The Mazda 3 from 2004 through 2009 made the list in fourth place. It ties the Honda Civic and Accord in that the Mazda 3 has a 10% breakdown or claim rate. The most claims surround the Mazda 3’s braking system.
Nissan
Joining Toyota, Honda, and Mazda, Nissan is the fourth Japanese car manufacturer to grace the top ten list. The Nissan Qashqai, with a 16% breakdown rate, is ninth on the list. The Qashqai’s electrical system is the cause for most of its claims.
Ford
An American automobile manufacturer joins the Japanese ones on the top-ten list. In fact, Ford has two cars that are most reliable and economical to purchase second hand: The 2007 – present Ford C-Max, and the Ford Mondeo of the same years. The 7th place Ford C-Max records a breakdown rate of 14% and its 8th place counterpart logs in at 15%.
Peugeot
The only European vehicle, the Peugeot 308, squeezes onto 10th place on the top-ten list of used family cars. The Peugeot 308 equals the Nissan Qashqai at a 16% breakdown rate.
The ten vehicles that grace this list of the best, used family cars are all extremely reliable and provide consumers with great returns on their investments. Their claims range from £528 to £3,258 as opposed to upwards of £5,000 for cars that are least reliable. The worst vehicles tend to break down roughly 74% of the time compared to those on this list. It seems that the best bet for consumers is to purchase Japanese cars, some of which are actually manufactured in Europe.
Mary Hendrie is a fleet manager. She also likes blogging where she gets to pass on her automotive insights online. Visit the www.thecarpeople.co.uk website to learn more.
