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Buyer's Guide · Honda Accord · Midsize sedan

Used Honda Accord Buyer's Guide

3 min read

Also worth reading: Best Honda Accord Years, Honda Accord Years to Avoid and Honda Reliability Guide.

The 9th- and 10th-gen Accord are two of the best midsize sedans ever built. The 2.4L K24 and 3.5L J35 V6 are among the most reliable engines Honda has ever made.

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Quick Verdict
Best years
2013–2017 (K24, J35 V6) and 2018+ 2.0T Sport
Years to inspect carefully
2018–2019 1.5T in cold climates (verify oil-dilution TSB)
Typical lifespan
250,000+ miles on the K24, 300,000+ on the J35 V6
Annual maintenance
$400–$550 at an independent shop
Pre-purchase inspection
$150–$250 — non-negotiable on any 1.5T car
Alternatives to compare
Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata

Bottom line: A 2013–2017 K24 Accord is the safest used midsize sedan under $18k; a 2020+ 2.0T Sport is the pick if you want more performance and a firmer chassis.

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Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.7/5
The 2013–2017 Accord is one of the stronger used Accord generations — naturally aspirated 2.4L and 3.5L V6 engines with good track records, though starter wear, 2013–2015 CVT fluid history and V6 timing-belt service (105k) are worth checking. The 2018+ 1.5T is excellent post oil-dilution TSB; verify service history in cold climates.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.7/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.7/5
Parts availability
★★★★★5.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.7/5
Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2013–2017 (9th gen)

K24 2.4L or J35 V6 — both essentially bulletproof.

2018–2022 (10th gen)

1.5T or 2.0T; excellent chassis; 2.0T is the enthusiast pick.

For a year-by-year breakdown of which Accords to target and which to inspect carefully, see the best Honda Accord years guide.

Side by side

Which Accord generation is right for you?

GenerationEngineBest forWatch for
9th gen (2013–2017)K24 2.4L / J35 3.5L V6Maximum reliability, easy serviceV6 timing belt at 105k
10th gen 1.5T (2018–2022)1.5L turboCommuters, best fuel economyOil dilution in cold climates (pre-TSB)
10th gen 2.0T Sport (2018–2022)2.0L turbo, 10-speed autoEnthusiasts, best driverVery few — most reliable modern turbo Honda
11th gen (2023+)1.5T / hybridLatest tech, longest warranty runwayToo new for a long-term verdict
Generation guide

Honda Accord Generations

Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.

  1. Generation 1

    8th gen · 2008–2012

    Larger body, EPA-classified as full-size, more powerful V6.

    2008–2012 Accord guide
  2. Generation 2

    9th gen · 2013–2017

    New Earth Dreams engines, CVT on 4-cylinder, more efficient V6 with 6-speed automatic.

    2013–2017 Accord guide
  3. Generation 3

    10th gen · 2018–2022

    Turbocharged engines replace V6, 10-speed automatic on 2.0T, standard Honda Sensing.

    2018–2022 Accord guide
  4. Generation 4

    11th gen · 2023–2026

    Cleaner styling, larger touchscreen, hybrid becomes the mainstream powertrain. Known problems: Too new for a full picture.

    What to check: Run the VIN for open recalls, test the touchscreen and driver-assist features on the drive, and confirm how much factory warranty remains.

    2023–present Accord overview
Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2018–2019 1.5T (cold climates)

Oil-dilution TSB — verify update history and check oil condition/level.

2008–2012 (8th gen V6)

Some 6AT torque-converter shudder on V6 automatics.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓
    Starter failure on 9th-gen Accord
  • ✓
    1.5T oil dilution in cold climates
  • ✓
    AC compressor on older V6 examples
  • ✓
    Rear wheel bearings on high-mileage cars
  • ✓
    Power-window regulators on older examples
Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Accord ownership is close to Corolla for cost — parts are cheap and every mechanic knows the platform.

The V6 uses a timing belt (every 105k) — factor this into V6-shopping. 4-cyl uses a timing chain.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Engine
1.5T: check oil level and smell for fuel dilution. K24: verify no oil consumption.
Transmission
10AT smooth; older CVT and 6AT should shift/pull cleanly.
Starter (9th gen)
Slow cranks are a warning.
Timing belt (V6)
Verify last service on 100k+ examples.
Suspension
Struts and bushings at 150k+.
Take this to your inspection

Pre-Purchase Buying Checklist

  • ✓Pull the dipstick cold on any 1.5T — smell for fuel and check level is not above full.
  • ✓Ask for the oil-dilution TSB (24-006 / 19-113) completion record on 2017–2019 1.5T cars.
  • ✓Verify V6 timing-belt service was performed at 105,000 miles.
  • ✓Test the 10-speed automatic (2018+) with full-throttle upshifts and a stop-and-go loop.
  • ✓Cold-start the engine and listen for slow cranking (early 9th-gen starter weakness).
  • ✓Scan for stored codes even if the check-engine light is off.
  • ✓Confirm the Takata airbag recall is closed on the VIN.
  • ✓Inspect underbody and rocker panels for rust on Northern-state cars.
  • ✓Verify the CVT (1.5T) has had at least one drain-and-fill by 60,000 miles.
  • ✓Get a $150–$250 independent pre-purchase inspection — every time.
Living with it

Ownership Experience

  • • One of the best-driving family sedans in its class — excellent chassis and steering.
  • • Real-world fuel economy is strong on both 1.5T and 2.0T.
  • • Insurance and repair costs are consistently competitive with Camry.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Honda Accord?

Yes. The Accord is one of the two safest used midsize sedan choices (the other is Camry). Prefer 2.4L or V6 for maximum simplicity, or a serviced 1.5T for efficiency.

People Also Ask

Is the Honda Accord a good used car?

Verdict rates it 4.7/5 overall, with reliability at 4.7/5 and running costs at 4.7/5. Shop 2013–2017 (9th gen) first and treat 2018–2019 1.5T (cold climates) as a records-only purchase.

What are the most common Honda Accord problems?

Buyers most often run into starter failure on 9th-gen Accord, 1.5T oil dilution in cold climates and AC compressor on older V6 examples. All are checkable before purchase — bring the list to a pre-purchase inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a used Honda Accord reliable?
Yes. The 2013–2017 Accord is one of the two safest used midsize sedans on the market alongside the Camry. The K24 four-cylinder and J35 V6 routinely reach 250,000+ miles with basic service.
What is the best year to buy a used Honda Accord?
The 2015–2017 model years are the peak of the 9th generation — the K24 and 6-speed automatic (V6) or refined CVT (four-cylinder) are proven, prices have softened, and the safety-tech gap to the 10th gen is smaller than the price gap.
Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2003–2007 V6 automatic — the transmission failure rate is high enough that Honda extended warranty coverage that has long since expired. Manual V6s and four-cylinders from that era are fine.
How many miles will a Honda Accord last?
A K24-powered 9th-gen Accord will comfortably reach 250,000 miles with routine maintenance, and the J35 V6 regularly clears 300,000. The timing chain is a lifetime component — no scheduled belt replacement.
Is the Honda Accord expensive to maintain?
No. Expect about $400–$500 per year at an independent shop for a modern Accord. The four-cylinder is timing-chain equipped and needs no belt service; the V6 needs a timing-belt at 105,000 miles ($900–$1,300).
Is the 1.5L turbo Accord reliable?
It is now — but only with the oil-dilution TSB completed. The 2018–2019 1.5T in cold climates suffered fuel dilution that Honda addressed via injector-timing and PCV updates. Post-TSB cars have been reliable.
Is the Accord better than the Camry?
They are the two safest used midsize sedan picks and separating them is a matter of taste. The Accord drives noticeably better; the Camry has a slightly longer average lifespan and a better hybrid option.
What should I inspect before buying a used Accord?
Focus on oil-dilution evidence (1.5T), V6 timing-belt records, starter cranking speed, 10-speed automatic behavior, and Takata recall completion. A $150–$250 independent pre-purchase inspection is worth every dollar.
How much does a used Honda Accord cost?
Expect $14,000–$19,000 for a clean 2015–2017 EX-L, $19,000–$25,000 for a 2018–2020 1.5T EX, and $23,000–$29,000 for a 2019–2021 2.0T Sport. Prices vary $2,000–$3,000 by region and mileage.

How the Accord compares

Side-by-side buying comparisons against the models people cross-shop most.

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