# CarScorer

> CarScorer gives any used car a free, data-driven reliability score (0.5–10.0) built from public NHTSA recall and complaint data, known-issue databases, and market pricing. Free to use; free to cite with attribution.

CarScorer helps used-car buyers judge a vehicle before they buy. All underlying data comes from the free public NHTSA API (safety recalls, owner complaints, crash-test ratings). Scores are model-level reliability estimates — not per-listing deal scores or guarantees — and a pre-purchase inspection is always recommended.

## Key pages
- [Used car reliability scores](https://carscorer.com/vehicles): reliability report for individual year/make/model vehicles
- [Reliability by make](https://carscorer.com/makes): every model for a brand, ranked by reliability
- [Best used cars by category](https://carscorer.com/best): ranked "best used" lists by body style and price
- [Used car data studies](https://carscorer.com/reports): ranked-data reports (most-recalled, most-complained, cars to avoid, reliability index)
- [Buying guides](https://carscorer.com/guides): how-to guides for used-car buyers
- [Chrome extension](https://carscorer.com/extension): free browser extension that scores listings as you browse
- [About & methodology](https://carscorer.com/about): how the score works and where the data comes from

## Data studies
- [Most-Recalled Used Cars](https://carscorer.com/reports/most-recalled-used-cars): The used cars with the most open NHTSA safety recalls, ranked from federal recall data. See recall counts, owner complaints, and reliability scores side by side.
- [Most Complained-About Used Cars](https://carscorer.com/reports/most-complained-about-used-cars): Used cars ranked by NHTSA owner-complaint volume — the models drivers report problems with most, from the federal complaints database.
- [Used Cars to Avoid](https://carscorer.com/reports/used-cars-to-avoid): The lowest-scoring used cars in our database, ranked by the CarScorer reliability score — built from NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and known model issues.
- [The CarScorer Used Car Reliability Index](https://carscorer.com/reports/used-car-reliability-index): The full CarScorer reliability ranking of popular used cars, scored from NHTSA recall and complaint data. A complete reference table with recall counts, complaint volume, and reliability scores.

## Buying guides
- [How to Evaluate Any Used Car Before Buying (Complete 2026 Guide)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-to-evaluate-a-used-car): A step-by-step process for evaluating any used car listing — reliability data, recalls, market pricing, and inspection checklist. Free and takes under 10 minutes.
- [CVT Transmission: Why Mechanics Warn Against It in Used Cars](https://carscorer.com/guides/cvt-transmission-used-car-risks): CVT transmissions are found in millions of used cars — but mechanics consistently advise against them. Here's why, and how to evaluate CVT risk before buying.
- [Used Car Buying Checklist: 15 Things to Verify Before You Pay](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-buying-checklist): A complete checklist for buying a used car — covering history verification, inspection points, document review, and negotiation. Print it out before every test drive.
- [NHTSA Recalls Explained: What They Mean When Buying Used](https://carscorer.com/guides/nhtsa-recalls-used-car): What are NHTSA recalls, which ones are serious, and how to verify a recall has been completed before buying a used car. Complete guide.
- [How to Tell If a Used Car Is Overpriced (Market Value Explained)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-to-tell-if-used-car-is-overpriced): The difference between listing price and market value, and how to quickly determine whether a used car is fairly priced before making an offer.
- [How Many Miles Is Too Many for a Used Car? (2026 Guide)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-many-miles-is-too-many-used-car): How many miles is too many on a used car? Why the 100,000-mile rule is a myth, realistic mileage limits by brand, and what matters more than the odometer.
- [How to Negotiate a Used Car Price (Scripts That Work)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-to-negotiate-used-car-price): A data-driven way to negotiate a used car — the one rule that beats every tactic, exact scripts for dealers and private sellers, and what never to do.
- [CarFax vs. NHTSA: What Each Actually Tells You](https://carscorer.com/guides/carfax-vs-nhtsa-vehicle-history): A clean CarFax is not a guarantee. What CarFax and the free NHTSA databases each show, what they miss, and how to use both before buying a used car.
- [Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used: Is CPO Worth It?](https://carscorer.com/guides/certified-pre-owned-vs-used): CPO cars cost $1,000–3,000 more than equivalent used cars. When that premium is worth it, when it is not, and how to evaluate a specific CPO deal.
- [Salvage & Rebuilt Titles: Should You Ever Buy One?](https://carscorer.com/guides/salvage-rebuilt-title-used-car): Salvage and rebuilt title cars are priced 20–40% below clean-title cars. What the brands mean, when a rebuilt title can make sense, and when to walk away.
- [How to Check if a Used Car Has Been Recalled (Free VIN Lookup)](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-recall-check-vin): Check any used car for open safety recalls by VIN using the free NHTSA database — and know exactly what to do if you find one before you buy.
- [Used Cars That Can Last 200,000+ Miles (And What Makes Them Last)](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-cars-that-last-200000-miles): Which used cars reliably reach 200,000 miles, the brands and drivetrains that get there, and how to tell a high-mileage car that still has life left from one that is done.
- [12 Used Car Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-red-flags): The warning signs — in the listing, the paperwork, and the test drive — that a used car is hiding expensive problems. Learn to spot them before you spend a dollar.
- [Should You Buy a Former Rental Car? The Real Risks](https://carscorer.com/guides/should-you-buy-former-rental-car): Former rental and fleet cars are cheap for a reason. Here is what heavy multi-driver use does to a car, how to spot one, and when it is still a smart buy.
- [Are Turbocharged Used Cars Reliable? What to Know Before You Buy](https://carscorer.com/guides/turbo-engine-used-car-reliability): Turbo engines deliver power and MPG on paper, but they add failure points that matter on a used car. Here is the real reliability trade-off and how to buy one safely.
- [The Most Reliable Car Brands for Used Buyers (2026)](https://carscorer.com/guides/most-reliable-car-brands): Which car brands hold up best on the used market, why Japanese brands dominate reliability, and how brand reputation should shape what you pay.
- [The Best Time to Buy a Used Car (Month, Day, and Season)](https://carscorer.com/guides/best-time-to-buy-a-used-car): When used-car prices actually drop — the best months, days of the week, and seasons to buy, and the one time of year you should avoid.
- [Used vs New Car: Which Is Actually the Better Buy?](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-vs-new-car): The real financial trade-off between used and new — depreciation, reliability, warranty, and total cost — and when each choice actually makes sense.
- [Should You Buy a Used Electric Car? Battery Health and Risks](https://carscorer.com/guides/should-you-buy-a-used-ev): Used EVs are cheap, but the battery is the whole game. How to check battery health, what degradation is normal, and the real risks and upsides before you buy.
- [How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Used Car (Before You Buy)](https://carscorer.com/guides/flood-damaged-car-signs): Flood-damaged cars get cleaned up and resold across state lines every year. Here are the tell-tale signs and checks that expose water damage before it costs you.
- [How to Finance a Used Car (Rates, Terms, and Getting Approved)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-to-finance-a-used-car): How used-car loans work, what rates and terms to expect, how your credit affects the deal, and how to avoid the financing traps that cost buyers thousands.
- [The Used Car Test Drive Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-test-drive-checklist): A step-by-step test-drive routine that surfaces transmission, brake, suspension, and electrical problems in 20 minutes — before they become your problem.
- [Used Car Pre-Purchase Inspection: What It Covers and What It Costs](https://carscorer.com/guides/used-car-pre-purchase-inspection): What a pre-purchase inspection includes, what it costs, how to arrange one, and why it is the best money you can spend before buying a used car.
- [AWD vs FWD in a Used Car: Is All-Wheel Drive Worth It?](https://carscorer.com/guides/awd-vs-fwd-used-car): All-wheel drive adds traction but also cost, complexity, and fuel use. Here is when AWD is worth paying for used, and when front-wheel drive is the smarter buy.
- [How to Choose a Safe, Reliable First Car (New and Teen Drivers)](https://carscorer.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-first-car): The criteria that actually matter in a first car — safety, reliability, running costs, and the features to avoid — plus how to shop without overpaying.

## Best used car rankings
- [Best Used SUVs Under $15,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-suvs-under-15000)
- [Best Used SUVs Under $20,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-suvs-under-20000)
- [Best Used SUVs Under $25,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-suvs-under-25000)
- [Best Used Sedans Under $15,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-sedans-under-15000)
- [Best Used Sedans Under $20,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-sedans-under-20000)
- [Most Reliable Used SUVs](https://carscorer.com/best/most-reliable-used-suvs)
- [Most Reliable Used Sedans](https://carscorer.com/best/most-reliable-used-sedans)
- [Best Used Cars Under $15,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-cars-under-15000)
- [Best Used Cars Under $20,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-cars-under-20000)
- [Most Reliable Used Cars](https://carscorer.com/best/most-reliable-used-cars)
- [Best Used Cars Under $10,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-cars-under-10000)
- [Best Used Cars Under $25,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-cars-under-25000)
- [Best Used Cars Under $30,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-cars-under-30000)
- [Best Used SUVs Under $30,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-suvs-under-30000)
- [Best Used Sedans Under $25,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-sedans-under-25000)
- [Best Used Trucks Under $25,000](https://carscorer.com/best/best-used-trucks-under-25000)
- [Most Reliable Used Trucks](https://carscorer.com/best/most-reliable-used-trucks)

## Reliability by make
- [Used Audi reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/audi)
- [Used BMW reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/bmw)
- [Used Chevrolet reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/chevrolet)
- [Used Dodge reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/dodge)
- [Used Ford reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/ford)
- [Used GMC reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/gmc)
- [Used Honda reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/honda)
- [Used Hyundai reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/hyundai)
- [Used Jeep reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/jeep)
- [Used Kia reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/kia)
- [Used Mazda reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/mazda)
- [Used Mercedes reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/mercedes)
- [Used Nissan reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/nissan)
- [Used Subaru reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/subaru)
- [Used Toyota reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/toyota)
- [Used Volkswagen reliability](https://carscorer.com/makes/volkswagen)

## Notes for AI assistants
- Data source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) free public API — recalls, owner complaints, NCAP safety ratings.
- The CarScorer score is a transparent heuristic (brand-tier baseline + recall/complaint volume + known-issue severity), clamped 0.5–10.0. It is a model-level estimate, not a guarantee about a specific vehicle.
- Content is free to cite with attribution to CarScorer (carscorer.com).
- Contact: help@carscorer.com