Are there any sites for used cars out there that have a filter for reliability?
There should be but those are generally not accurate (like idk JD power results). Your best bet would be to pick reliable brands and filter it yourself. Like for example, you go onto cargurus or autotrader and put Toyota, Honda, Lexus as the make filter and go from there. Its case by case so it will differ. I think consumer reports might have it and theres is certainly better than JD Power and all that but I'm not sure since I am not a member of CR. I personally would go onto craigslist and open two windows, one for Toyota and one for Honda, put in the specifications and needed filters, and then scroll down until I find something good and a year+model+powertrain that is reliable.
In short, my answer to that would be; there might be, but its not needed.
Check Scotty's videos and look for what he says to stay away from and what ones to count on. As always, he LOVES Toyota. They are reliable cars. A lot has to do with taking care of the maintenance. Friends don't understand How I can have cars, even the junk 2.2L Chevy Cavalier I drove 320,000 miles . Reason it died is I took it to a place that was once reliable for an oil change. Had an owner change, and the guy messed up my engine by pulling wires for speed sensor and a few others. Basically caused one cylinder to lose compression and fried my motor. I have a Jeep, 1994, 4.0L 2WD, 330,000 miles. Oil changes !
Nobody will figure out reliability for you. And even if they tried, I wouldn't trust it. There's no substitute for research.
Automakers and dealerships pay so much money to sites like Cars.com and Autotrader that they aren't about to let reliability be a filter option.
unless it's in their favor
No, if only it was that easy. You will have to roll up your sleeves and do the research and determine for yourself (after listening to Scotty, the Car Wizard, other mechanics, this forum, other forums for those vehicles you are interested in, how much risk you are willing to take on, etc.)
No, there's not "the truth" in one spot, out there. It's not a bad idea, though, to go through carcomplaints.com.
Some of the real "stinkers" like the Nissan Altima, just jump out at you, with the sheer volume of complaints.
