Mitsubishi was ranked as the vehicle least likely to need check engine repairs in 2020, according to the latest CarMD Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Ranking.
PR Newswire reports CarMD analyzed data from nearly 20 million vehicles to narrow down the list of contenders. For the purposes of rankings, the company developed a frequency score formulated by the lowest percentage of repair incidents per percentage of vehicle population, with the lowest scores netting the highest rankings.
"Having a reliable vehicle to drive and reducing the likelihood of costly car repairs is particularly important as we wrap up 2020 – a year that has brought many challenges," said David Rich, CarMD's technical director. "CarMD publishes this annual report to help vehicle owners and used car shoppers make better informed buying and service decisions, and to encourage drivers to seek repairs when the check engine light comes on."
Mitsubishi edged out Mercedes and Volkswagen for the top spot, with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma ranked as the vehicle least likely to need a check engine light repair. In addition, the 2018, 2017 and 2016 Tacoma swept the category for trucks least likely to need repairs in 2020.
For the second straight year, Kia ranked as the vehicle with the lowest average repair cost at just over $300. Rounding out the top 5 were Chrysler ($333), Mazda ($339), Hyundai ($352.41) and Dodge ($355.92).
Since 1996, California-based CarMD has studied the vehicle population, with that year marking the first time vehicles were required to have an on-board computer that triggers the check engine light as a warning to drivers that issues with emissions output, fuel economy and drivability may be looming.
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