Used Ford buying guide

When considering the mileage of a used Ford, remember that it’s not just about what the odometer shows. It’s also about the vehicle’s maintenance record and any major work it’s had done, which can be found on its history report. To learn more, read our comprehensive guide on why mileage matters. 

Reliability is a solid indicator of what makes a good used car. According to RepairPal, Ford’s overall rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which is above average. The majority of Ford models are either average or above average in reliability, with midsize and subcompact Ford cars generally ranking the highest. 

The RepairPal Reliability Rating for Ford is above average at 3.5. Check the ratings of individual models for more specific details, and consider reading our guide to mileage to find out how it can affect your choice of used Ford. 

Ford makes some of the best-known vehicles on our roads. Currently, Ford is focused on electric vehicles (including the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning), trucks (such as the F-series models), and SUVs (like the Escape, Bronco, and Edge). 

Ford has retired multiple models over the years. For example, the Focus was discontinued in 2018. In 2019, Ford discontinued the Fiesta, which was previously available in two varieties of subcompact. 2019 also saw the end of the Taurus and the Flex, and the Fusion followed in 2020. 

Ford produces a whole range of iconic trucks and SUVs ideal for off-roading. The Ford F-150 is one of the best off-roaders around — it also tops our list of best pickup trucks. The Ford Bronco boasts an excellent 4x4 system, and the Ford Expedition is particularly great for family adventures. All of them have excellent off-road tech, matching suspension, and impressive ground clearance.

Both Ford and Tesla utilise Level 2 autonomy, which means the self-driving function still requires human supervision. Ford’s BlueCruise means drivers can take their hands off the wheel through “Blue Zones”, which are pre-mapped areas, and let the vehicle’s cameras and radar take over. Tesla has Full Self-Driving (Supervised), where the vehicle takes over all braking, steering, lane-changing, and navigation using cameras. Tesla drivers must keep their hands on the wheel to show they’re paying attention.

Ford’s current SUV lineup is extensive, and there’s something for everyone. If you’re happy with two rows of seating, the Ford Escape is a strong choice for a family. It's spacious and practical, with plenty of driver aids for peace of mind. If, however, you want to spread out across three rows and increase towing capacity for family adventures, the Ford Expedition or Ford Explorer might be more your speed. Try our comparison tool to help decide what fits your lifestyle.

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to having peace of mind with your next vehicle purchase. Once you’ve narrowed down which Ford SUVs might be right for you, it’s worth using our comparison tool to look at the RepairPal® rating. This will give you an idea of which models meet your specific criteria.

The trim levels for the Ford Bronco differ depending on which year you’re buying. For its comeback in 2021, the Bronco had Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, and Wildtrak, as well as the limited-production First Edition. For 2022-2023, First Edition was replaced with Everglades. In 2024, there were nine trim levels: Big Bend, Black Diamond, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, Heritage Edition Limited, Everglades, and Raptor. More recently, for 2025-2026 models, the trim levels are Base, Big Bend, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, and Raptor.

The Ford F-350 is made for hauling and towing. Modern F-350 models boast a payload capacity of between 3,000 lbs and 4,000 lbs on SRW configurations when properly equipped.* However, seeking out a DRW trim that’s configured for increased hauling and towing can offer a payload capacity of up to 8,000 lbs when properly equipped.*

Ford trucks are excellent choices for towing and hauling. Ford’s Super Duty lineup – the bigger siblings of the iconic F-150 – offers large towing and hauling numbers. The F-450 tops out at an estimated 40,000 lbs of towing capacity (2025-2026 models with the 6.7L diesel engine) when properly equipped,* making it by far the most impressive towing workhorse Ford offers.*

Ford trucks come in three cab configurations: Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew Cab. Regular Cab models have one row of seating and two doors. SuperCab is longer, with two rows of seating, two full-size doors, and two smaller ones. The second row of seats in this version is best suited to children or luggage. Then there’s SuperCrew Cab, which offers spacious seating across two rows with four full-sized doors.