Looking for a used car? Don’t let a low price and shiny paint make you fall in love. Some new surveys show the most reliable cars that will last the longest and have the fewest repairs. 
Mechanic Jeff Landrum says he is a big fan of Toyotas, noting they are reliable and easy to maintain. He referenced a 2012 Toyota Camry that one customer bought new.
“She’s had little to no issues with the car,” he said. 
Consumer Reports’ recent ratings of the most reliable used car brands lists Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Acura and Honda in the top five. 
One new study finds that some five to 10 year old used cars offer much better value and longer lifespans than ever before. 
A recent report by Kelly Book looked at the total cost of a car over 5 years taking into account insurance, maintenance costs, fuel and depreciation. 
Like Consumer Reports, it says the cheapest brands to own over give years are Toyota and Lexus.
The lowest cost to own SUVs include the Subaru Forester and Outback, Nissan Armada and Acura MDX. 
The lowest cost cars include Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord. 
Landrum said buying a used vehicle and making it last is all about following the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle. 
“In my opinion, it’s extremely important. It’s the life of any vehicle,” Landrum said. 
Landrum recommends getting a Carfax report and inspection on any vehicle before you buy it to make sure it received regular maintenance. 

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