What is the best time to buy a used car in Canada?
The best time to buy a car is often during the final months of the year. Dealerships need to clear out their inventory to make room for next year’s models. This means November and December are great months to find significant discounts. Look for special promotions, rebates, or year-end sales events. What months are cheapest to buy a car? Though there’s no perfect formula that dictates which month is best to buy a vehicle, a good rule is to shop during the year’s later months, including October, November and December.The sweet spot for used car buying is typically between 2-5 years old. During this period, cars have already undergone the sharpest depreciation (about 20-30% in the first year alone), making them significantly more affordable than a brand-new model.Used cars are usually at their lowest prices from October through December, covering both late fall and early winter. This is a time when demand drops and dealerships aim to move vehicles off the lot.For most buyers, the sweet spot for a used car tends to be around three to five years old and here’s why: Depreciation Slows Down – The biggest drop in value has has already happened, meaning your car’s likely to hold its price while you own it.Buying from a trusted used car dealer is the suggested way to prevent buying the wrong car. Buying a second-hand car that is up to five years of age might be preferable. Nonetheless, it also depends on the car’s condition, how it was being maintained, history of accidents, kilometers driven, etc.
What brand of car is least likely to break down?
Based on the experiences of readers who own a car made in the last five years, Honda is the most reliable car brand, closely followed by Mini, Suzuki and Toyota. At the other end of the chart sit Nissan, Fiat and Jaguar, while MG is considered the least reliable car company. Consumer Reports places Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota among the top brands for overall reliability, particularly for hybrids and SUVs. Specific models like the Toyota RAV4, Corolla, and Camry repeatedly appear on Canada’s most reliable car lists for 2025.The top choices for auto brands that are the most dependable, according to mechanics, are Honda and Toyota. Thanks to excellent engineering and quality design, these brands suffer the fewest breakdowns as do the luxury brands associated with these manufacturers, Acura and Lexus, respectively.Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota lead our reliability ratings, with GMC, Cadillac, and Rivian ranking last. Plus, an analysis of new hybrids, EVs, and PHEVs. NOTE: The 2026 car reliablity predictions will be posted in December, 2025.Lexus ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability for a third consecutive year, with a score of 140 PP100. Among premium brands, Cadillac (169 PP100) ranks second and Porsche (186 PP100) ranks third.
What’s the best age for a reliable used car?
The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains relatively new and in good condition. The short answer: A good rule of thumb is 12,000 miles per year. So a 5-year-old used car with 60,000 miles or less is generally considered good mileage. But the real story depends on the car’s age, condition, and how those miles were driven.Consumer reports note that while the typical lifespan of a new vehicle is approximately 8 years or 150,000 miles, well-maintained vehicles can surpass 15 years and overcome 300,000 miles.As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that’s 5 years old is 60,000.Average Annual Mileage So a 5-year-old SUV with 60,000 miles would be considered average, while one with 100,000 miles or more might be labeled high-mileage. Still, high mileage isn’t a dealbreaker if the vehicle has been well-maintained.In such cases, it may be best to consider purchasing a vehicle with fewer than 50,000 miles to avoid recurring maintenance issues and breakdowns. That said, a high-mileage car, such as one with 100,000 miles or more, can be a great option if you need a spare car or if you don’t drive much.
What is the oldest second-hand car you should buy?
Cars are usually reliable for up to five years if they’ve been looked after. But a well-maintained 10-year-old car could be a better investment than a newer model that hasn’t been cared for as well. Budget is also a major factor. The older the model, the lower the cost. A well-maintained 7-8-year-old car with a solid service history can still be a reliable choice, but anything older may begin to show wear, both mechanically and aesthetically.The optimum age range for purchasing a used car is commonly recognized as falling between 2 to 5 years old. Within this timeframe, a car has traversed the steepest part of its depreciation curve while still maintaining relatively new and well-maintained conditions.However, the older a vehicle gets, the more you need to factor in the potential for repairs and the cost of maintaining an aging car. A well-maintained 7-8-year-old car with a solid service history can still be a reliable choice, but anything older may begin to show wear, both mechanically and aesthetically.