Some people believe that cars aren’t as dependable as they used to be. It’s true that newer vehicles often don’t last as long as some models made between the 1970s and 1990s.
However, there are still some cars today—both new and used—that can last a long time. Some can be driven for ten years or more, and even up to 500,000 miles. Most tend to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles.
Looking at feedback from car owners, common problems, repair history, and how long the cars usually last, we’ve put together a list of vehicles.
This list includes well-known sedans, sports cars, and SUVs that can keep going for many years and miles. Some have even passed 300,000 miles. While each person’s experience may be different, here are a few models that people have trusted and found to be dependable.
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1995 Mercedes-Benz W124
Newer Mercedes-Benz cars are full of luxury features and technology, but they’re not always very dependable. In the past, the company made very strong vehicles that could go for 500,000 miles or more with only minor issues.
The W124, which came out in 1985 and was made until 1995, followed this tradition of being reliable. The versions with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine were especially popular and known for their strength. Many of these cars are still around and still dependable, even after reaching 300,000 miles.
1995 Mercedes-Benz W124 Reliability Rating Based On Owner Feedback
One owner said the car will “take you to the moon and back.” Other reviews say the car drives well and looks good, with just a few small problems that regular maintenance could have prevented.
One issue that happens sometimes with this model is the wiring loom needing to be replaced. Some owners also mentioned problems with the cooling system. If one part of the system breaks—like the thermostat—it’s likely that other parts, like the hoses or fluids, will need fixing too.
1997 Volvo 900 Series
The 900 series was introduced in 1990 to take the place of the 700 series. It had a similar boxy look, but some design details were made smoother. Volvo brought in new four-cylinder engines, including a turbocharged 2.3-liter, along with new safety features.
All the 1997 models sent to the United States came with an electronically controlled Aisin automatic transmission. For European buyers, there were manual transmission options as well.
Like many rear-wheel drive Volvos, the 900 series is well known for being very dependable and for lasting a long time without serious problems. The 900 series stayed around until 1998, when the S80 took its place.
1997 Volvo 900 Series Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
The 1997 Volvo 960 Wagon got a 4.4 out of 5 stars for reliability from 33 reviews. Some owners said they haven’t had any major issues because they always keep up with regular maintenance. Many believe this is what helps the car last well beyond 200,000 miles.
Some problems that came up more than once include sunroof leaks or trouble closing it, brake pads wearing out too quickly, water leaking into the trunk, and issues with power features like the locks and seats.
2007 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord was mentioned as one of the “Cars that Refuse to Die,” saying that Honda focuses on building strong engines and good engineering, which helps the car stay dependable.
Consumer Reports also shared positive opinions about this generation of the Accord, saying that owners usually don’t have many problems. When looking at reliable used cars, a Honda Accord from the 2000s is a safe choice.
The 2007 Accord comes in coupe and sedan versions and can have either a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder engine. There is even a Hybrid model that uses a V-6 gasoline engine, which makes it the strongest version available that year.
2007 Honda Accord Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
People who own a 2007 Honda Accord, whether they’ve had it for a short time or many years, often say they love the car. They say it drives well and doesn’t have big issues.
For a gas-powered car, it gets very good gas mileage. One owner mentioned that this is the kind of car you won’t want to give up once you have it. Of course, no car is perfect.
One of the biggest complaints is about how comfortable the seats are. Many owners say the ride can feel rough and not very comfortable, especially on longer trips.
2013 Toyota 4Runner
The 2013 4Runner isn’t really known for being great on paved roads, but when you take it offroad, that’s where it really performs well. Back in the early 2000s and 2010s, SUVs didn’t try to do everything like they do now.
So the fact that the 4Runner was made more for one purpose than another wasn’t a big issue for buyers. It has strong power for driving on rough ground, decent gas mileage, and was built to handle tough outdoor conditions.
To help keep the bottom of the SUV safe, the 2013 4Runner came with strong metal skid plates on every model. These were made to protect the parts underneath whether you’re driving on smooth roads or rough trails.
2013 4Runner Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
People who own this SUV often disagree with the so-called experts who review vehicles. They believe that unless someone has actually spent time living with a 2013 4Runner, they can’t really understand it. That’s what many owners say.
According to them, the 4Runner is better than most other vehicles because it’s as tough as a truck, as steady as a mountain goat, and it can get you just about anywhere. Basically, if the Toyota can’t take you there, maybe it’s not a place you should be going.
2015 Toyota Camry
The Camry has been the top-selling sedan in America almost every year since 1997. That’s not just because it’s a well-priced mid-size car with plenty of room for people and storage space and a good-quality interior.
The Camry is also known as one of the most dependable vehicles you can buy. This Japanese sedan was ranked at the top of Consumer Reports’ reliability list every year starting in 2002. It also received a dependability award from J.D. Power three times over the last ten years. A Camry can easily last for more than 250,000 miles.
2015 Camry Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
People who have owned or still own the 2015 Toyota Camry usually say that it is a very dependable car. They believe it fits well with the strong reputation that Toyota has earned. Some complaints do come up, but they aren’t really about how well the car runs.
Most are about comfort and how enjoyable it is to drive. Like with many other Toyota vehicles, some owners say the seats are not very comfortable. Others have had issues, sometimes serious ones, with the car’s stereo system.
2015 Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is built on the same platform as the Toyota Camry, so it makes sense that this sedan is on the list. The ES is a more luxurious version of the Camry, offering a fancier, sportier look, an upgraded interior with additional features, high-quality materials, and more powerful engine options.
One thing to keep in mind when buying the 2015 Lexus ES is that, even though it may look sporty and attract your performance-driven side, the ES is not made to be a sports car. Instead, it is meant to provide a smooth, enjoyable ride that makes the journey feel special, whether you’re going across town or on a longer trip.
The ES also received the highest reliability rating for compact premium cars by J.D. Power for each model year from 2012 to 2019.
2015 Lexus ES Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
There aren’t many owner reviews or complaints that suggest the 2015 Lexus ES is an unreliable car. In fact, if you look at the reviews and focus on the middle ones (excluding the best and the worst), you’ll see that most owners are happy with their cars.
One thing to watch out for is to listen and feel for any rumbling sounds when the car is in gear. This issue is apparently hard to detect, but it is advised to start by checking the motor mounts.
2017 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 competes with the Honda CR-V and is another Japanese vehicle known for its reliability. While it might not be the best in terms of power or quality compared to others in its class, the RAV4 has earned great reviews for dependability for almost ten years.
For the 2018 and 2019 models, the RAV4 received “Great” reliability ratings from J.D. Power, scoring over 80 points out of 100 both years.
What makes the 2017 model stand out is that Toyota added Toyota Safety Sense, which includes important safety features such as a rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
2017 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
Like many other vehicles on this list, the Toyota RAV4 is known to be a very reliable car. It has mostly positive reviews, but like any vehicle, it does have a few complaints.
These complaints are generally about things that are more cosmetic or annoying, like uncomfortable seats and dashboard lights that are hard to see when wearing sunglasses. While these issues could become a safety concern, they are not usually considered major reliability problems.
2021 Hyundai Kona
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a small SUV that comes with a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine, which offers good power for most driving situations. There is also a more basic 2.0L engine available. Compared to other similar cars like the Subaru Crosstrek, it is an affordable option.
The Kona is easy to get into because of its good height, and while it can handle some offroad driving, it is mainly made for city streets and highways.
2021 Hyundai Kona Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
One problem that some owners experience is engine failure shortly after buying the car. Since this issue is covered under the car’s warranty, it isn’t held against the Kona for this list.
However, you should be careful about problems with the transmission when driving at lower speeds. When going up hills at speeds under ten miles per hour, the transmission clutch and gears can overheat and break if you don’t pull over and let the car cool down.
2022 Toyota Prius
When the Toyota Prius first came out as a hybrid, many people misunderstood it and gave it a bad reputation. It was true that some repairs, like replacing a battery cell, could cost more than expected.
However, this is normal with new technology. Today, the technology has improved, and the Prius, along with its loyal owners, has become one of the most reliable hybrid cars available.
2022 Toyota Prius Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
It’s hard to find many complaints about the newer Toyota Prius because most owners are very happy with their purchase. While there are a few people who were not satisfied, these issues were rarely about the car’s reliability.
Most owners love their Prius and continue to buy newer models when it’s time to trade in the old one. The car is modern, so people who prefer older designs may not be as happy with it, but for the most part, its reliability is unmatched.
2022 Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 may seem like a normal SUV, but once you drive it, you’ll realize it feels more like a luxury German SUV. It handles great on both the smooth highways between towns and the winding backroads that only locals know about.
The CX-9 has a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, which gets the job done despite being smaller than some others in its class.
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2022 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Rating Based on Owner Feedback
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 is a very reliable SUV, but it may burn a bit more oil than you expect because it has a turbo engine, which is normal for this type of engine.
However, if you look a bit deeper, you’ll find that many owners say the engine starts to fail around 100,000 miles.
This makes the CX-9 a good choice if you plan to use it for a while and then trade it in around 75,000 miles, which is what many people do. If you plan to keep it longer, be ready for some high maintenance costs in case the engine fails.
