TOP 10 most reliable and popular cars on the secondary market
The secondary market is a real opportunity for car enthusiasts to purchase a good car for relatively little money. However, buying a used car can also have a downside. Quite often, “happy” owners of used cars invest money in their repairs, which could be enough to purchase another vehicle. That is why, in addition to price, the most important criterion for choosing a used car is its reliability.
Relevant analytical agencies scrutinize the secondary car market, and based on their reports, it is possible to compile a list of the most popular models, characterized by a decent level of reliability and availability of maintenance. We bring to your attention the top 10 used cars in Russia as of 2022.
Kia Rio
Since its appearance on the Russian market (early 2000s), the Korean sedan has been in the top sales among new and used cars. In the secondary market, the modifications that are in greatest demand are those belonging to the second, third and fourth generations of Rio, that is, those produced since 2005, in sedan and hatchback bodies. In the second and third generations, the model was equipped with one diesel and two gasoline engines of 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 liters. Their power varies between 97 and 112 hp. pp., they are paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
In the fourth generation, the Kia Rio came with two new naturally aspirated engines: a 1.4-liter with 100 hp. With. and 1.6-liter, producing 123 hp. With. They were paired with a six-speed manual transmission and an automatic transmission. In all versions, the Korean model has a front-wheel drive transmission.
Among the advantages of the Kia Rio are a strong rear suspension and chassis as a whole, many safety options, a variety of trim levels and service available in any region of Russia. The model is popular in taxi companies, therefore, when buying a car second-hand, it is better to ignore the options “from under taxi drivers”, since their operation is rarely careful and accurate.
Hyuindai Solaris
In fact, it is the twin brother of the Kia Rio with minor differences. The model debuted on the Russian market relatively recently, in 2011, so all versions are relevant and in demand on the secondary market. Even despite the fact that the first generation of Solaris had shortcomings that were subsequently eliminated. Among them are the vulnerability of the rear suspension and, as a consequence, shock absorbers, weakness of the paintwork, and the susceptibility of the roof to corrosive processes. Conclusion: modifications released after 2014 or at least 2011 are more reliable.
Since its release, the Huyndai Solaris, like the Kia Rio, has been available in sedan and hatchback bodies with different powertrain options. In the early years, the car was supplied with a 1.4- and 1.6-liter internal combustion engine with a capacity of 107 and 123 hp. With. respectively. They were complemented by a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. Subsequently, the Solaris power unit underwent minor changes. For example, the 2022 version received two engines with the same displacement. The power of the “junior” decreased to 100 hp. s., and the range of manual and automatic transmissions has expanded to six gears. The advantages of the Huindai Solaris include a durable interior, a variety of trim levels and unpretentious engines.
Volkswagen Polo
This is the legendary German sedan/hatchback, which first rolled off the assembly line back in 1975. In 2022, modifications of the last two generations, that is, those produced over the last thirteen years, are the most popular on the secondary market. In the fifth generation (2009-2017), the model was equipped with a wide range of power units. Including: 1.2-liter turbo engine (TSI) with a capacity of 105 hp. s., 1.6-liter diesel (90 hp), 1.4-liter gasoline (150 hp), 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (192 hp) and others.
In the sixth generation (after 2017), the Volkswagen Polo also received more than ten variants of power units with a volume of 1.0 to 2.0 liters and a power of 65 to 200 hp. With. Even after 10-15 years of operation, the German model is distinguished by its durable suspension, good anti-corrosion protection and reliable finishing materials. Other advantages: a wide choice of power units and a high level of safety.
Skoda Rapid
Czech liftback/hatchback/sedan, which debuted on the market in 2012, and went through two restylings in 2017 and 2020. Based on the history of the model, it is not difficult to guess that all its modifications are in demand on the secondary market. Over the years, more than ten gasoline and more than five diesel engines, combined with mechanical, automatic and robotic gearboxes, have been under the hood of the Skoda Rapid. Maximum power - 125 hp. With. — has a turbocharged gasoline engine, installed, in particular, on the latest version of the 2022 Rapid.
Advantages of the model: reliable suspension (as a rule, no problems up to 100,000 kilometers), galvanized, corrosion-resistant body, accommodating
body trunk, ergonomic interior layout, energy-intensive suspension. Among the shortcomings are insufficiently economical power units, poor sound insulation of the interior and meager equipment in the basic trim levels.
Renault Logan
Over the course of its eighteen-year history, the French car was produced in sedan, station wagon, pickup truck and van bodies, and it changed only two generations, radically different from each other. The first looks as simplified as possible and even clumsy, which does not prevent it from being in certain demand on the secondary market among the older and conservatively oriented public. The second generation, introduced in 2012, is more elegant and technologically advanced, so its target audience is younger and more progressive buyers.
Six engines with a volume of 1.0, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 liters and a power of 75 to 102 liters were tested on cars produced from 2004 to 2012. With. In tandem with them, a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic were offered. In the second generation of the model, the engine line is represented by 1.6-liter units producing 82, 102 or 113 hp. With. Transmissions and gearboxes remain the same.
Among the advantages of used Renault Logan are unpretentious and “indestructible” power units, amazing survivability of first-generation cars, durable and functional suspension, accessible and cheap maintenance. A characteristic drawback of the car is problematic automatic transmissions, so it is better to buy manual versions on the secondary market.
Ford Focus
An American sedan/station wagon/hatchback, which has long been among the top selling new cars in the European and Russian markets. Then in Russia Korean models took the leading positions, but in the secondary market Ford Focus continues to maintain a confident position.
The history of the model includes more than twenty years, four generations and three deep restylings. Cars of the first generation, produced back in the last century, are not in great demand in 2022, but starting from the second (since 2004) they are consistently in the top 5 sales on the Russian secondary market. Car enthusiasts can choose the appropriate modification from a huge number of versions of the Ford Focus. Buyers have access to manual, automatic and robotic gearboxes, gasoline and diesel engines with a volume of 1.0 to 2.0 liters and a power of up to 182 hp. p., many options and configurations.
The main advantages of a used “American”: strong and durable chassis and power plants, a variety of modifications and a galvanized wear-resistant body. At the same time, buyers should be careful about the “junior” trim levels of the Ford Focus with 1.6-liter engines, since they have been in high esteem among taxi drivers since the mid-2000s.
Toyota Camry
The Japanese sedan is perhaps the most solid and representative car in our rating. About ten years ago, Camrys were regulars in the fleets of government officials, so, unlike taxi fleets, the mark of belonging to a legal entity in this case should not be taken as a minus.
The model debuted in 1982 and has gone through eight generations in forty years. Of maximum interest on the secondary market are modifications that were produced no earlier than the first half of the 2000s. During the indicated period, Camry was supplied with engines ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 liters and power from 148 to 277 hp. With. The power units were combined with both manual/automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission.
The main advantages of the Japanese model: status, spacious interior, reliable electronics and transmissions, high level of safety and variety of trim levels. Disadvantages: problematic CVT and high fuel consumption compared to competing business sedans.
Nissan Qashqai
The only crossover in the ranking. Accordingly, in its segment, the “Japanese” Qashqai has no alternative. The model entered the market in 2006 and over the subsequent years has changed three generations and gone through two restylings. Car enthusiasts will be able to find modifications with gasoline and turbodiesel internal combustion engines, manual, automatic and continuously variable transmissions. Available drive types are front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The maximum power in the engine range is 150 hp. pp., maximum volume - 2.0 liters.
The Japanese crossover attracts buyers with a comfortable suspension, excellent sound insulation, a spacious interior and trunk, decent off-road characteristics and effective adaptation to the Russian market. When purchasing a first-generation Qashqai (2006-2013), you may encounter low functionality of the CVT gearbox and excessive noise of the power unit.
AUDI A4
The German car was produced in station wagon and convertible bodies, but gained the greatest popularity in the classic version of a four-door sedan. The model began its independent journey in 1994 as the successor to the Audi 80 and managed to change five generations. In the Russian secondary market, modifications produced after 2000, and especially the fourth generation, which rolled off the assembly line in 2008-2011, are popular.
Audi A4 fourth generation presented
with gasoline (volume - 1.8, 2.0, 3.0 liters, power - 120-272 hp) and diesel internal combustion engines (volume - 2.0 and 3.0 liters, performance - 150 and 245 hp. pp.), combined with mechanical, robotic and continuously variable transmissions. Pros of the model: comfortable interior, impeccable finishing materials, precise and easy control, affordable maintenance. Cons: vulnerable paintwork on the wings, stiff suspension and “slow” variator.
Toyota Corolla
The Japanese sedan/station wagon is a symbol of reliability and it is not for nothing that it has the status of one of the best-selling cars in history. The first modification of the model was released more than fifty years ago, over the subsequent years it changed twelve generations and went through many restylings. Versions released after 2005, that is, belonging to the tenth, eleventh and twelfth generations, enjoy consumer interest.
The range of engines during the indicated period includes units with a volume of 1.2-2.0 liters and a power of 99-150 hp. pp., combined with manual, automatic and continuously variable transmissions. Advantages of the Toyota Corolla: ultra-reliable suspension, anti-corrosion body, a variety of modifications and options, efficient heating and air conditioning, good dynamic qualities. Disadvantages: high cost of maintenance, rustic appearance.
Conclusion
Some of the cars presented in the rating can be bought on the secondary market for less than two hundred thousand rubles, the price of others is within five hundred thousand; to purchase still others you will have to pay more than a million. The main factors influencing the price are the year of manufacture and the current condition of the vehicle. The thesis presented at the beginning of the text remains unchanged: the secondary market is a real opportunity to buy a car for little money. And the best way to do this is to look for an option among the cars presented in our top 10 of 2022.
