Car MD: Toyota Most Reliable, Mazda Most Affordable To Repair

If you're looking for a nearly new vehicle that is unlikely to have the "check engine" light-related repairs, the 2016 Audi Q5 might be your best bet. Of course, most any Toyota will provide years of reliability, while Mazdas have the most cost-friendly repairs. 

That's according to CarMD.com Corp., a provider of automotive diagnostic solutions and car repair data based in Irvine, California. 

The findings appeared on the company's 2018 Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Rankings, which analyzed data from more than 5.6 million in-use vehicles between model years 1996 to 2018. CarMD's reporting susses out stats related to "check engine" light health from Oct. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018.

“The CarMD Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Ranking is the only report that statistically measures check engine failures and repair costs,” said David Rich, CarMD’s technical director. “Understanding which makes and models have which kinds of problems, how frequently they occur and what those repairs cost can be useful to vehicle owners, used car buyers, as well as repair professionals looking to increase their knowledge of trends within the industry.”

At any given time, at least one out of every 10 vehicles on the road in the United States has a check engine light on, according to CarMD. A company pilot test found as many as a quarter of all vehicles brought to the repair shop or service center have a check engine light on.

CarMD's formula identifying the makes least likely to need check engine repairs accounts for those with the lowest percentage of repair incidents per percentage of vehicle population. The company determined these 10 brands were least likely to need a check engine repair during the past year:

1. Toyota
2. Acura
3. Hyundai
4. Honda
5. Mitsubishi
6. Subaru
7. Buick
8. Mercedes
9. Lexus
10. Nissan

CarMD also determined which 10 vehicle makes had the lowest average cost for check engine repair lights in 2018. 

1. Mazda ($286)
2. Kia ($320)
3. Dodge ($326)
4. Hyundai ($328)
5. Chrysler ($329)
6. Jeep ($339)
7. Chevrolet ($341)
8. Volkswagen ($358)
9. Honda ($427)
10. Toyota ($462)

The 2018 Vehicle Health Index also refines its data by make and model. Their 10 Most Reliable Vehicles had the lowest check engine light-related repair frequency, meaning fewer trips to the repair shop, parts store or dealership.

1. 2016 Audi Q5
2. 2017 Honda Civic
3. 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
4. 2017 Honda CR-V
5. 2017 Honda HR-V
6. 2017 GMC Acadia
7. 2015 Subaru Forester
8. 2016 Honda CR-V
9. 2016 Honda Civic
10. 2016 Volvo XC-90