Used Lincoln buying guide
About Lincoln
Lincoln, Ford's luxury arm, has delivered American elegance and comfort since 1917. Best known for iconic models like the Town Car and the Mark Series, Lincoln built its reputation on smooth rides and refined styling. While it has since phased out sedans like the MKZ and Continental, the brand now focuses on premium SUVs, including the compact Corsair, midsize Nautilus, and flagship Navigator. Lincoln continues emphasizing quiet luxury and intuitive tech, blending timeless design with modern convenience in its current lineup.
What CarMax customers like
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What CarMax customers don’t like
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Technology and Entertainment
Interior Space
Lincoln FAQs
Lincolns have a RepairPal reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0, placing them 24th out of 32 car brands. They tend to make infrequent trips to the repair shop and have a moderate chance of serious issues, making them a reasonable option for used car buyers.
That depends on what you are looking for. If you're interested in a sedan, you'll have to look at 2020 and earlier models. For Lincolns with the latest tech, a newer model year Corsair, Navigator, or Nautilus is a good choice. But older used models also offer refined interiors, smooth driving dynamics, and well-equipped trims.
According to RepairPal, Lincolns have average maintenance costs. The brand’s average annual repair cost is $879, which is higher than the industry average but typical for a luxury vehicle. Lincolns visit the repair shop about 0.4 times per year, with a 15% chance of severe repairs.
The smallest Lincoln SUV is the Lincoln Corsair, a compact luxury SUV that replaced the Lincoln MKC. It offers a refined design, upscale features, and a smooth ride in a smaller footprint. The Nautilus is the next size up in Lincoln’s SUV lineup.
Lincoln discontinued the Continental and MKZ in 2020 and the MKS in 2016, marking the brand’s transition away from traditional passenger cars to focus entirely on SUVs and crossovers. However, you can still find used examples of these older models.
The most reliable Lincoln is the Town Car, with a RepairPal reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking second out of 30 luxury full-size cars. It has an average annual repair cost of $635, low repair frequency, and few major issues, making it a strong choice for dependable ownership.
1. Lincoln MKC
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2. Lincoln Continental
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3. Lincoln MKZ
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4. Lincoln MKX
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5. Lincoln MKS
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6. Lincoln MKT
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7. Lincoln Navigator
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RepairPal reliability ratings
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of August 2023. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of 3/18/2025. Learn more at repairpal.com/reliability.
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Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
Range figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new and assume a full battery charge. Range will vary based on things like battery age, vehicle condition and history, driving and charging habits, accessory use, and driving conditions. Battery capacity may decrease with time and use. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.
We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.