Client Stories’ Finest Used Automotive Suggestions for July 2025

Is paying artificially inflated costs and going into debt essential to personal an acceptable automobile?

Will it’s important to accept used fashions with fewer security options and questionable reliability?

By no means. A brand new replace on used automobile buying demonstrates that Client Stories automotive specialists are serving to consumers discover used-car choices that may save them as much as tens of 1000’s of {dollars} whereas nonetheless permitting consumers to personal a secure automobile with trendy security options and a confirmed monitor file of reliability―all by making use of the same degree of rigor and selectively as they do of their new automobile opinions.

Tariffs are Inflation on the Horizon

CR analysts notice that as a result of immediately’s present consumers are involved about looming inflation and the uncertainty of tariffs and their affect on shoppers, shopping for a used automobile could make good financial sense for many households.

“With the traditionally excessive value of latest autos as of late, increasingly more individuals are naturally seeking to the pre-owned market searching for a greater cut price,” says Alex Knizek, affiliate director of auto take a look at improvement at Client Stories. “However they should not should sacrifice security, reliability, or gas financial system to remain inside their finances. 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 opinions, during which it has highlighted distinctive vehicles, SUVs, and vehicles gleaned via in depth testing and buyer survey information.

Of their evaluation of used autos CR automotive specialists take into account the next elements:

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 good selections, used vehicles had been chosen from a technology perspective quite than a model-year perspective.
3. The good thing about a technology perspective is that it persistently reveals the fashions that grew to become extra trouble-free over a technology’s multiyear span; the final two years of a technology are usually the perfect.
4. Security options in new fashions present in used fashions are one other qualifying consideration.
5. Automotive worth is crucial, as some fashions depreciate greater than others, making them a cut price as a used automobile in comparison with different used automobile fashions of the identical age.
6. Used automobile consumers 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 value vary, and it implies that the highlighted fashions could 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 engaging as used vehicles than they had been when new,” states the replace.

THE BEST CAR TOP PICKS BY CONSUMER REPORTS

SEDAN UNDER $10,000

2016 Mazda 6 (Era 2014-2011)

Worth Vary: $8,550 – $11,325

Proprietor Reported MPG: 29 mpg

SEDAN UNDER $15,000

2019 Toyota Corolla (Era 2014-2019)

Worth Vary: $12,925 – $16,230

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

SUV UNDER $15,000

2018 Mazda CX-5 (Era 2017-2025)

Worth Vary: $12,025 – $16,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 26 mpg

HYBRID UNDER $20,000

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Era 2018-2024)

Worth Vary: $16,875 – $21,450

Proprietor Reported MPG: 45 mpg

SMALL SUV UNDER $20,000

2021 Kia Sportage (Era 2017-2022)

Worth Vary: $14,925 – $19,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

HYBRID SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Era 2016-2018)

Worth Vary: $15,800 – $20,650

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

3-ROW SUV UNDER $20,000

2018 Mazda CX-9 (Era 2016-2023)

Worth Vary: $12,175 – $17,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 23 mpg

LUXURY SUV UNDER $20,000

2017 Lexus NX (Era 2015-2021)

Worth Vary: $17,500 – $20,300

Proprietor Reported MPG: 25 mpg

PICKUP TRUCK UNDER $20,000

2015 Toyota Tacoma (Era 2005-2015)

Worth Vary: $13,675 – $20,025

Proprietor Reported MPG: 19 mpg

SPORTS CAR UNDER $20,000

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

Worth Vary: $15,350 – $21,475

Proprietor Reported MPG: 32 mpg

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

Though you will have the really helpful pre-purchase inspection earlier than shopping for that used mannequin and the vendor’s assurance that every thing is on the up and up, there are vital issues that should 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 identify. Watch out for curbstoning scams.
2. Get insurance coverage protection — be sure to have applicable and inexpensive insurance coverage protection in place earlier than you drive a lot additional.
3. Get a full mechanical inspection — this could uncover hidden points missed throughout the pre-purchase inspection and assist you tackle them early earlier than they grow to be pricey.
4. Change all fluids and filters — together with engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, air filters, and cabin filters. Do not assume they had been modified or modified appropriately.
5. Examine or exchange the timing belt or chain — if the automobile has a timing belt or timing chain and there is no proof it was just lately modified, changing it will possibly forestall catastrophic engine harm.
6. Examine tires and brakes — ensure they’re secure and never worn past their limits.
7. Replace upkeep information and begin a log — to maintain monitor of what is been carried out and when, staying on high of future automobile upkeep.

For extra latest Client Stories suggestions, listed below are a couple of to your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter primarily based in Cincinnati who at the moment researches and works on restoring older autos with engine modifications for improved efficiency. He additionally stories on trendy vehicles (together with EVs) with a give attention to 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 each day information and matters associated to new and used vehicles and vehicles.

Picture Supply: Deposit Images