Best Used Cars to Buy in 2023

There has been an ongoing chip shortage for quite some time now. No, not the baked potato chips you crave late at night. We're talking about chips used in tech gadgets like smartphones and tablets. And cars.

Vehicles are full of technology, so the chip shortage has impacted the manufacturing of new automobiles. With fewer new cars to be had, prices went up for both new and used cars in 2021 and 2022. According to J.D. Power, new vehicle prices increased by 6.3% for September 2022 compared to September 2021.

All of this has meant a boon for used car sellers. Since the production of new vehicles has declined, people are turning to the used market to find a sweet ride.

Fortunately, things are starting to get back to normal. In fact, J.P. Morgan predicts that used car prices will decline by 10% to 20% in 2023. That means you will be able to find some better deals. Not sure where to begin? No worries. We're here to help. We've compiled a list of the best-used cars to buy in 2023, using a variety of sources, so you can shop with more confidence.

Best Used Cars for Under $15,000

It's not impossible to find a quality used car at a reasonable price. Forbes recently listed its top used cars for under $15,000 for 2023, including some impressive models. The criteria included vehicle models newer than 2008 commonly available across the U.S. for less than 15K.

Here are some of the top picks:

• 2014-2018 Mazda3
• 2012-2017 Toyota Prius
• 2016-2018 Honda Civic
• 2014-2017 Chevrolet Impala
• 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf

Best Used Cars for Under $30,000

Here are some of the best used vehicles priced at less than $30K:

• 2021 Toyota Rav4
• 2022 Subaru Forester
• 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
• 2022 Kia Seltos
• 2022 Honda Civic

Cheap Used Cars Under $5,000

These are budget-friendly options that you'll find for less than 5K:

• 2005 Honda Accord
• 2005 Toyota Corolla
• 2008 Ford Focus
• 2008 Mazda6
• 2009 Nissan Sentra

Best Used All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $10,000

Here are some excellent all-wheel-drive (AWD) options that you can find for less than 10K:

• 2012 Toyota Rav4
• 2011 Honda Pilot
• 2014 Subaru Outback
• 2014 Mazda CX-9
• 2015 Nissan Rogue

Best Used Compact Cars From $10K to $15K

• 2011 Toyota Prius
• 2015 Buick Verano
• 2014 Honda Civic
• 2018 Chevrolet Cruze
• 2018 Ford Focus

Don't Forget to Kick the Tires

You're not Sherlock Holmes, but you can investigate a used car before buying it. One great place to begin is with the tires, as they can tell a story about the vehicle the owner might not want to cop to.

Was the vehicle ever in a crash?

For example, if the car has low mileage, say 20,000 or less, it should still have the original tires, and all four should match. If it's a low-mileage car with new tires, be skeptical. It could mean the vehicle was in a crash or other problems. Ask the owner why the tires were replaced.

Also -- always look up the VIN of a vehicle before buying it. You can do this for free, using VinCheck or any other similar free check. The report should tell you if a vehicle was in a reported accident; you can also find out if a salvage title was issued.

How old are the tires?

Use the numbers on the side of the tire to look up when and where the tires were made. We cover that in this article about cracking tire codes.

Next, ensure that treadwear is even across the tread width and similar for tires on each side of the car. Find out if tires were regularly rotated. If they weren't, that could explain uneven wear. If you see heavy wear on the outside shoulder of the front tires at the sidewall's edge, it could indicate an aggressive driver.

Now it's time to check tread depth. Most states require tread depth of at least 2/32 inches to be legal.

The easiest way to check tire tread is to use a penny. Here's how: Insert the penny into the tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down. Ensure Lincoln is facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the tire's tread depth is less than 2/32 inches, and it's time to replace the tire.

You could also use a quarter or tread depth gauge if you happen to have one with you. For more details on checking tire tread, read our guide on DIY tread tests here.

There are some more things to inspect beyond tread. Check each wheel for dents or cracks, and examine the sidewalls for bulges, cracks, or scuffs. Also, make sure the spare is in good condition if there is one.

A used car in need of new tires shouldn't be a dealbreaker. If you fall in love with a vehicle but it needs tires, don't worry. There is a quick, easy and affordable way to find your needs.

Should You Buy Used Tires for Your Used Car?

No. Please read this related article before buying used tires.

Shop online for tires with Tire Agent, where shipping is fast and free. To find tires that fit your vehicle, use our tire-matching technology. Simply enter your vehicle make, model, and year and answer a few questions to confirm your wheel size.

SHOP TIRES NOW

Narrow your search to the brand of tire you're interested in, and you'll see all the sizes and fitments available. Tire Agent offers several payment options, all of which can be found on our finance page.

VIEW FINANCE OPTIONS NOW

Pro tip: Before you buy a used car, there is one step that you shouldn't skip. Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to have it checked out, so you don't purchase a lemon. You should also familiarize yourself with your state's lemon law, so you are informed and protected. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) links to every state's lemon law here.

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