Client Stories’ Greatest Used Automotive Suggestions for July 2025

Is paying artificially inflated costs and going into debt essential to personal an appropriate car?

Will you must accept used fashions with fewer security options and questionable reliability?

Under no circumstances. A brand new replace on used automobile buying demonstrates that Client Stories automotive consultants are serving to customers discover used-car choices that may save them as much as tens of 1000’s of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting customers to personal a secure car with trendy security options and a confirmed monitor report of reliability―all by making use of an analogous stage of rigor and selectively as they do of their new car critiques.

Tariffs are Inflation on the Horizon

CR analysts word that as a result of right this moment’s present customers are involved about looming inflation and the uncertainty of tariffs and their impression on shoppers, shopping for a used car could make good financial sense for many households.

“With the traditionally excessive worth of latest autos today, increasingly persons are naturally seeking to the pre-owned market in the hunt for a greater cut price,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto check growth at Client Stories. “However they should not should sacrifice security, reliability, or gas economic system to remain inside their price range. That is why we now current Used Automotive High Picks and have expanded our used-car protection and insights.”

Client Stories is well-known for its informative new automobile critiques, by which it has highlighted distinctive vehicles, SUVs, and vans gleaned by in depth testing and buyer survey information.

Of their evaluation of used automobiles CR automotive consultants take into account the next components:

1. Nice new vehicles do not all the time make nice used vehicles, particularly when factoring in depreciation and long-term reliability.
2. To determine sensible selections, used vehicles have been chosen from a technology perspective fairly than a model-year perspective.
3. The advantage of a technology perspective is that it constantly reveals the fashions that grew to become extra trouble-free over a technology’s multiyear span; the final two years of a technology are typically the perfect.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automotive worth is important, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a cut price as a used car in comparison with different used automobile fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automobile customers should keep in mind that every automobile is exclusive, has its historical past, and have to be inspected by knowledgeable mechanic earlier than shopping for.

“The technique we make use of for choosing used vehicles emphasizes worth inside a worth vary, and it signifies that the highlighted fashions might not have been the highest-scoring fashions when examined new. As a substitute, they’re typically good vehicles that depreciated greater than others, making them extra enticing as used vehicles than they have been when new,” states the replace.

THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

SEDAN UNDER $10,000

2016 Mazda 6 (Technology 2014-2011)

Value Vary: $8,550 – $11,325

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

SEDAN UNDER $15,000

2019 Toyota Corolla (Technology 2014-2019)

Value Vary: $12,925 – $16,230

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

SUV UNDER $15,000

2018 Mazda CX-5 (Technology 2017-2025)

Value Vary: $12,025 – $16,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 26 mpg

HYBRID UNDER $20,000

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Technology 2018-2024)

Value Vary: $16,875 – $21,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

SMALL SUV UNDER $20,000

2021 Kia Sportage (Technology 2017-2022)

Value Vary: $14,925 – $19,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

HYBRID SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Technology 2016-2018)

Value Vary: $15,800 – $20,650

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-ROW SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Mazda CX-9 (Technology 2016-2023)

Value Vary: $12,175 – $17,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 23 mpg

LUXURY SUV UNDER $20,000

2017 Lexus NX (Technology 2015-2021)

Value Vary: $17,500 – $20,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

PICKUP TRUCK UNDER $20,000

2015 Toyota Tacoma (Technology 2005-2015)

Value Vary: $13,675 – $20,025

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

SPORTS CAR UNDER $20,000

2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Technology 2016-2024)

Value Vary: $15,350 – $21,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

There’s Extra to Shopping for a Used Automotive Than Its Value… It is What Occurs After

Though you might have the really useful pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that every little thing is on the up and up, there are vital issues that have to be taken care of afterward on this order:

1. Switch the title and registration — go to your native DMV instantly to make sure the automobile is legally in your title. Watch out for curbstoning scams.
2. Get insurance coverage protection — be sure to have applicable and reasonably priced insurance coverage protection in place earlier than you drive a lot additional.
3. Get a full mechanical inspection — this may uncover hidden points missed in the course of the pre-purchase inspection and aid you handle them early earlier than they grow to be expensive.
4. Change all fluids and filters — together with engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, air filters, and cabin filters. Do not assume they have been modified or modified accurately.
5. Examine or substitute the timing belt or chain — if the automobile has a timing belt or timing chain and there is not any proof it was not too long ago modified, changing it could actually stop catastrophic engine injury.
6. Examine tires and brakes — be sure they’re secure and never worn past their limits.
7. Replace upkeep information and begin a log — to maintain monitor of what is been achieved and when, staying on prime of future automobile upkeep.

For extra current Client Stories suggestions, listed below are a couple of in your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter primarily based in Cincinnati who at present researches and works on restoring older automobiles with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally stories on trendy vehicles (together with EVs) with a concentrate on DIY mechanics, shopping for and utilizing instruments, and different associated topical automotive restore information. Observe Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites in addition to on Fb and his automotive weblog “Zen and the Artwork of DIY Automotive Restore” for helpful every day information and matters associated to new and used vehicles and vans.

Picture Supply: Deposit Images