Lexus tops list for auto reliability

Cars are the second-largest expense that most people face in their life, after buying a home. So you don’t want to waste your money when you’re buying a used vehicle.

J.D. Power has announced the results of its 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study, which looks at reliability after three years of ownership among 2013 models.

After weathering the Great Recession, Ford made a return to reliability on the 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study. But the nameplate has steadily slipped since then. This year Ford is all the way down to second from the bottom. (Last place goes to Dodge.)

Who has been consistent when it comes to three-year reliability? Lexus. It takes the top spot this year for the fifth time. Rounding out the Top five 5 for reliability are Porsche, Buick, Toyota and GMC.

My longtime advice has been to buy a three-year old used car and hold it for three to four years. This ensures that somebody else eats the depreciation.

When you are ready to buy, be sure you do the following

Arrange your used auto financing first. Look at credit unions, online banks or even traditional banks. Only take dealer financing if it beats any other offer.

Make sure the vehicle is worth what you’re paying. Check Edmunds.com, KBB.com or NADA.com for the true market value so you come up with a feel for the price. You can also use CarGurus.com, which will comb through some 2 million listings and rate the vehicles available for sale.

Check the vehicle number. Run the VIN though CarFax.com to find out if it’s been in an accident.

Have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic. Never rely on any representations the salesperson makes about the car.