CarMD’s 2018 Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Rankings provides an important glimpse into one of the key aspects of car shopping: what happens after you drive off the dealership lot. Examining more than 5 million reported cases of check engine light-related issues and the subsequent repair costs, the automotive diagnostic information provider projects which manufacturers’ vehicles are less likely to have a check engine light issue and average the least in repair costs — and the same for individual vehicles, including by body style.
Related: Read This if Reliability Ranks High on Your Car-Shopping Checklist
The survey also reveals common repair issues and, embarrassingly, one of the most common reasons for a check engine light to come on: a loose, damaged or missing gas cap. So, pro tip: If your check engine light comes on, go ahead and check your gas cap. You might save yourself some money … and dignity.
Most Reliable Brands
These automakers’ cars are the least likely to have a check engine light come on, CarMD researchers concluded. This list doesn’t carry much in the way of surprises — unless you’re someone who holds outdated opinions regarding the state of Hyundai today compared to when it first started selling cars in North America in the mid-1980s.
1. Toyota
2. Acura
3. Hyundai
4. Honda
5. Mitsubishi
6. Subaru
7. Buick
8. Mercedes-Benz
9. Lexus
10. Nissan
Brands With Lowest Average Repair Costs
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes-Benz did not make the list of brands with the lowest average repair costs. Again, these repairs are for check engine light-related repairs only, so this combines a number of factors beyond reliability, including parts availability and affordability and labor costs.
1. Mazda ($286)
2. Kia ($320)
3. Dodge ($326)
4. Hyundai ($328)
5. Chrysler ($329)
6. Jeep ($339)
7. Chevrolet ($341)
8. Volkswagen ($358)
9. Honda ($427)
10. Toyota ($462)
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10 Most Reliable Vehicles
These 10 vehicles had the fewest check engine light issues in 2018, and the list is 50 percent Hondas. You might have noticed that Honda has appeared on all of these lists thus far, which is a testament to the brand’s reputation.
1. 2016 Audi Q5
2. 2017 Honda Civic
3. 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
4. 2017 Honda CR-V
5. 2017 Honda HR-V
6. 2017 GMC Acadia
7. 2015 Subaru Forester
8. 2016 Honda CR-V
9. 2016 Honda Civic
10. 2016 Volvo XC90
10 Vehicles With Lowest Average Repair Costs
There are no Hondas on this list, however, as it appears that when a Honda does need a repair for something related to a check engine light, it’s costlier than $107 on average. Overall, it’s quite impressive that the average repair costs for these models are almost all under $100 — then again, according to CarMD, the most common repair for all but the Mirage is that pesky loose, damaged or missing gas cap.
1. 2017 Hyundai Tucson ($67)
2. 2017 Hyundai Accent ($69)
3. 2016 Kia Rio ($70)
4. 2014 Toyota Prius c ($83)
5. 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage ($84)
6. 2017 Kia Soul ($88)
7. 2016 Kia Forte ($90)
8. 2016 Hyundai Tucson ($91)
9. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ($92)
10. 2017 Toyota 4Runner ($107)
Something to Keep in Mind
Do these results mean that any car from those top 10 automakers will be reliable, or that any 2017 Hyundai Tucson will have relatively affordable repair costs when the check engine light illuminates? Of course not.
When it comes to these cars, particularly when buying a used vehicle, it’s important to check the vehicle’s history and get a thorough inspection before purchasing. A third-party warranty might also be something worth considering, though with the listed vehicles, there may be more hard calculations to make regarding warranty cost versus repair costs.
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