Know the car before you buy it
Model-by-model answers for the car you drive or want.
Common problems by year, the best and worst years to buy, reliability and real ownership costs, explained make by make in plain English.
Browse by make
Explore Car Model Guides
Pick a make to find problems, reliability and buying advice for each model.
Kia
Sorento, Sportage, Soul, Forte, Optima and more: problems, years and costs.
Explore topic →02Volvo
XC90, XC60, S60, V60 and more: reliability and ownership guides.
Explore topic →03Dodge
Charger, Challenger, Durango, Journey and more: years to buy or avoid.
Explore topic →04Lincoln
Navigator, Aviator, Nautilus, Corsair and more: reliability and costs.
Explore topic →05Ford
Explorer, Escape, Expedition, Bronco Sport and more: problems by year.
Explore topic →06Volkswagen
Jetta, Tiguan, Atlas, Passat, Golf and more: what used buyers should know.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Most-Asked Model Questions
The checks owners and used buyers look up first.
-
Lincoln MKX Buyer’s Guide: What to Know
Safest used Lincoln MKX picks are usually 2013–2015 models with the 3.7L V6, documented maintenance, and under about 100,000 miles.
-
Why Is the Ford Escape So Cheap?
The Ford Escape is cheap because it depreciates like a compact SUV, and some years drop harder when repair risk rises. See…
-
Ford Explorer Common Problems and Buyer’s Guide
Treat transmission shudder, coolant leaks, and timing-chain noise as top deal-breakers on a used Ford Explorer. This guide ranks faults by risk…
-
Dodge Grand Caravan Used Buying Guide
Target a 2017-2019 Grand Caravan SXT or GT with records, clean rocker panels, and smooth shifts. Skip neglected 2008-2013 vans with harsh…
From the blog
Latest Car Model Guides
New guides on problems, reliability, best years and ownership costs.
-
Volvo XC60 Used Buyer’s Guide: Best Years
Best used Volvo XC60 picks are usually 2015-2017 D4, D5 or T5 cars with full service…
-
Ford Escape Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Best Ford Escape years to buy: 2017-2019 for value, 2020-2022 hybrids for efficiency, and 2023-2024 if…
-
How to Reset TPMS on a Lincoln Aviator
Set every tire to the door-jamb cold spec first. Then drive until the TPMS light clears,…
-
VW Passat Used Car Buyer’s Guide
Best used VW Passat: a B8 2.0 TDI 150 manual. Covers generations, engines, DSG risk, hybrids,…
-
Volvo XC90 Buyer’s Guide: Best Trims and Engines
Buy a 2019-2022 XC90 T6 or B6 Momentum/Plus with full records, and be careful with 2016…
-
VW Jetta Buyer’s Guide: Years, Problems, and Costs
The best used VW Jetta years are usually 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. This guide breaks…
Recent Guides
- Lincoln MKX Buyer’s Guide: What to Know
- Why Is the Ford Escape So Cheap?
- Ford Explorer Common Problems and Buyer’s Guide
Pick a make above or search for your model and year.
Looking for a specific model?
Search by make, model, year or problem.