What does it mean for a car to be reliable?

We live in really stressful times. Domestically, there is uncertainty about our political future, and traveling abroad can be dangerous. In times like these, it's natural for people to gravitate towards the reliable and the familiar. People are comfortable when they are surrounded by things they know they can rely on.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, US consumers bought $11.3 trillion worth of gadgets, home goods, clothing, and high-value items such as cars. For most purchases, like a toaster or an alarm clock, the risk of buying the wrong thing doesn't matter much. If you don't like it or it's unreliable, return it to the store and buy a new one or replace it with something else. No harm, no foul.

But if you buy an expensive item, like a car, and it doesn't live up to your expectations or doesn't turn out to be as reliable as you hoped, there's nothing you can do about it. You are stuck with this.

So it makes sense to spend some time analyzing what you want from a car before you buy it. Most of us are very happy if our car works. Above all, we want it to be reliable and consistent, with no surprises.

Of course, basic maintenance needs to be done - oil changes, brake changes, tires and regular scheduled adjustments - but beyond that, we want to fill up the car and go. The last thing we want is to obsess over the question: will there be a time when my car won't start?

Marketing Influences Our Reliability Expectations

When you're looking for a car, how do you determine the most reliable cars? For years, you've been bombarded with marketing phrases like "Relentless Pursuit of Excellence" or "Perfect Driving Car." These slogans imply that Lexus and BMW are at the top of the list of reliable cars, right?

This may not be true, but to some extent we have been forced to believe it.

How to choose a reliable car

For new cars, especially Toyotas and Hondas, if you change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, tune your car every 10,000-15,000 miles, and service your brakes and tires, there's a good chance your car will last over 100,000 miles. miles.

But let's say you've had the car for more than five years. You might start asking, “How many extra trips to the dealer do I need to make for knocking, squeaking, or engine failure that wasn’t there before?” Or “Will the electronic functions start to fail me?”

If the number of trips to the dealership has increased over the years, your car may not be as reliable as it used to be and is starting to turn into a financial failure.

Maybe it's time to get rid of your car and invest in a new one so you can feel like driving a reliable car again.

What is the definition of "reliable"?

What are the criteria for car reliability? Of course, this question is open to interpretation. It depends on how well the owner looked after the car in the first years of its operation, and on the conditions in which it was operated.

Car owners who drive mostly in the city can define reliability as a car that needs nothing more than normal repairs (oil changes, brake repairs, tires). An unreliable car can be defined as a constant number of unplanned breakdowns.

The Toyota Camry and Corolla, as well as the Honda Accord and Civic, are known for their reliability, and it's not uncommon for them to last 10-15 years with only occasional custom repairs to keep them chugging along.

Best Cars by Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports named these vehicles among the most reliable on the market. They earned this rating by offering consumers good fuel economy, a smooth ride, firm handling, a suspension system that handles twisty roads and corners well, and a comfortable interior. If you take care of these machines, they will take care of you for years to come.

• Honda Fit
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Camry
• Subaru Forester
• Kia Sorento
• Lexus RX
• Mazda MH-5 Miata
• Chevrolet Impala
• F

Consumer Reports called these cars the most unreliable. They share the following common characteristics: transmission problems, sluggish steering, poor fuel economy, bumpy ride, cabin noise, and performance deficiencies.

• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota Scion shopping center
• Mitsubishi i-MiEV
• Mitsubishi Mirage
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
• Chrysler 200
• Land Rover Discovery Sport
• Lexus NX 200t/300h
• Kia Sedona

Vehicles carry us near and far. We use them around the city and on long trips. It's probably safe to say that we don't give cars as much attention as they deserve. But at the end of the day, it's important to do basic maintenance on your car to keep it reliable. If you choose a reliable car and do your best to take care of it today, you will have fewer car problems and headaches in the future.