My GarageIs the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.0/5 overall, with reliability at 4.0/5 and running costs at 4.2/5. Shop 2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83) first and treat 2019+ T1XX (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87) as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Full-size pickup
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Chevrolet Reliability Guide, Best Used Chevrolet Models and Chevrolet Tahoe Buying Guide.
The Silverado 1500 shares its platform with the GMC Sierra. LS-based V8s are among the most durable engines ever built; the newer AFM/DFM 5.3L L84 and 6.2L L87 need lifter-history verification.
Cross-shopping full-size trucks? Read the Ram 1500 buying guide.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Reliability
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Best years
- 2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83), 2019+ T1XX (with lifter service or AFM delete)
- Years to research
- 2019+ T1XX (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87), 2007–2013 GMT900 (5.3L LC9)
- Maintenance cost
- 4.2/5 · Very good
- Parts availability
- 5.0/5 · Excellent
- Ownership cost
- 4.2/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes. Prefer 2014–2018 K2XX with 5.3L L83 for the safest long-term pick, or a T1XX with documented lifter service or AFM delete.
Shopping a specific Silverado 1500?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.0/5
K2XX-generation Silverados (2014–2018) with the EcoTec3 5.3L L83 are the sweet spot — proven, cheap to service, easy to find. Newer T1XX trucks with L84/L87 engines have persistent lifter issues; many owners preemptively delete AFM/DFM.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.0/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.2/5
Parts availability
★★★★★5.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.2/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83)
Mature EcoTec3 with 6-speed automatic; excellent long-term record.
2019+ T1XX (with lifter service or AFM delete)
Modern platform; buy only with documented lifter condition.
Side by side
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Reliability | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Maintenance | 4.2/5 | Very good |
| Parts availability | 5.0/5 | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | 4.2/5 | Very good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2019+ T1XX (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87)
AFM/DFM lifter failure pattern — verify condition and any preventative service.
2007–2013 GMT900 (5.3L LC9)
AFM lifter and oil-consumption history — verify condition.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓AFM/DFM lifter failure on L83/L84/L87
- ✓8-speed automatic shudder (fluid change often helps)
- ✓Steering-column shudder or clunk
- ✓Rust on cab corners and rockers on Northeast trucks
- ✓AC condenser leaks
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Silverado parts are the cheapest of any full-size truck; independents everywhere know the LS platform.
AFM/DFM lifter risk is the largest single ownership variable on newer trucks.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
Listen for lifter tick on cold and warm idle; verify any lifter service.
Transmission
8AT: no shudder at 40–60 mph light throttle.
Frame
Rust on cab corners, rockers, brake lines.
Suspension
Front control-arm bushings, sway-bar links at 100k+.
Modifications
Lifted trucks often hide accelerated wear.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Comfortable, capable, and cheap to run for a full-size truck.
- • Real-world 16–20 mpg on 5.3L, worse when towing.
- • Parts and support are unmatched.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Yes. Prefer 2014–2018 K2XX with 5.3L L83 for the safest long-term pick, or a T1XX with documented lifter service or AFM delete.
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Verdict scores it 4.0/5 for reliability and 4.0/5 overall. Buy from 2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Silverado 1500 years should I avoid?
2019+ T1XX (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 last?
A well-maintained Silverado 1500 from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Silverado 1500 expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.2/5 and parts availability 5.0/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Silverado 1500?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, Frame, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Silverado 1500 problems?
AFM/DFM lifter failure on L83/L84/L87; 8-speed automatic shudder (fluid change often helps); Steering-column shudder or clunk; Rust on cab corners and rockers on Northeast trucks
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Silverado 1500?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Silverado 1500 with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Silverado 1500's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2014–2018 K2XX (5.3L L83) first, treat 2019+ T1XX (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
How the Silverado 1500 compares
Side-by-side buying comparisons against the models people cross-shop most.
You may also want to research
Found one for sale?
Don't stop at researching the model.
Analyze the actual car you're considering with Verdict.