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Buyer's Guide · Honda Accord · Midsize sedan

Used Honda Accord Buying Guide

3 min read

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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Overall
★★★★★4.7/5
The 2013–2017 Accord is the safest used pick — naturally aspirated engines with mature transmissions. The 2018+ 1.5T is excellent post oil-dilution TSB; verify service history in cold climates.
Reliability
★★★★★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.

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

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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+.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Honda Accord?
Our scoring puts the Honda Accord at 4.7/5 for reliability. The 2013–2017 Accord is the safest used pick — naturally aspirated engines with mature transmissions. The 2018+ 1.5T is excellent post oil-dilution TSB; verify service history in cold climates.
Which Accord years should I avoid?
2018–2019 1.5T (cold climates) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Honda Accord?
2013–2017 (9th gen) are the strongest years to target — K24 2.4L or J35 V6 — both essentially bulletproof.
How long does a Honda Accord last?
A well-maintained Accord from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Accord expensive to maintain?
Accord ownership is close to Corolla for cost — parts are cheap and every mechanic knows the platform.
What should I inspect before buying a used Accord?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, Starter (9th gen), Timing belt (V6). Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Accord problems?
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
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Accord?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Accord with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Accord's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I 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.

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