The Unmatched Reliability of Used Cars in Japan

Time and time again, Japanese automotive brands such as Lexus, Toyota, and Honda have topped consumer reliability surveys and safety tests. It follows that even in the secondhand vehicle market, used cars in Japan are the most reliable. Buyers are already treated to good deals when buying pre-owned; vehicle reliability is a big bonus because it means that buyers won’t have to spend on repairs. This comes from the myth that used vehicles are prone to breakdowns—obviously not true in the case of Japanese-engineered cars.

What makes vehicles made by Japanese automakers so dependable? What makes them have high standards of reliability? Well, to answer that we have to look into what makes companies work, especially those that are into developing products for the use of millions of consumers around the world. We have to look into how they manage their teams, invest in research and product development, and treat their customers.

Administration-wise, managing a large team of workers is a big challenge, and Japanese automotive companies rise up to this by utilizing human resource techniques to encourage their employees to always do their best. The management builds up worker morale to make their employees productive and contented, and more than pleased to do their best in every task, no matter how seemingly small it is. This outlook among workers—to do their job perfectly—results in a high standard for products that is reflected in used cars in Japan. The vehicles are sturdy and since every component is put in place properly, is checked and re-checked, cars are very well-made and truly dependable. For the Japanese, there is pride in work, no matter how simple or complex it is.


The Japanese have a high regard for their customers and put customer satisfaction first. The Japanese would really go out of their way to make sure that their customers are pleased. The top-ranking company executives always step up to offer an apology in cases of product recall or similar issues. The Japanese know that customer relations are important in making a business a success, and Japanese automakers really take care of their customers to the best of their ability. This shows in how they continuously develop products for the good of the people they aim to serve.

Automotive manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda invest a big chunk of their money on research and design, or R&D. Engineers and designers team up to continually improve vehicle designs, car parts, and engine combustion, among other aspects of vehicle development. The Japanese make use of the most advanced technological devices to help them work out improvements so they can come up with the best and most reliable vehicles in the industry. These cars are so well-designed that even used cars in Japan perform better than new cars from European brands!

These three aspects—management style, customer relations, and research and design—are executed carefully and thoroughly, showing the high standards that the Japanese have when it comes to work. For the Japanese, perfection is the only way to go. This attitude reflects in many aspects of the Japanese way of life, art forms, and technology, including automotive manufacturing. If you want to have a piece of perfection, browse around used cars in Japan, and you’ll see why the world trusts them so.