Which is more reliable, Kia or Lincoln?
Kia leads on our inspections: 70/100 average condition vs 61/100 for Lincoln, from 179 real pre-purchase inspections.
Kia leads on our inspections: 70/100 average condition vs 61/100 for Lincoln, from 179 real pre-purchase inspections. The average car we check scores 61/100.
Head to head
| Kia | Lincoln | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars inspected | 143 | 36 |
| Average condition | 70/100 | 61/100 |
| In good shape (60+/100) | 70% | 56% |
| Repainted or replaced panel | 68% | 78% |
| Structural repair found | 1% | 3% |
| Fault codes recently cleared | 22% | 19% |
Green = the better number of the pair. Condition reflects the mix of cars that came to us — age, price, model — so treat small gaps as a tie.
How they score
How long do they stay good?
Good cars by mileage
▬ Kia▬ Lincoln▬ all cars
Good cars by age
▬ Kia▬ Lincoln▬ all cars
Share in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). Dashed grey = all cars we check.
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
45%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
34%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
31%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
22%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
16%
Oil leaks · Engine
64%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
33%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
33%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
28%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
22%
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with used Kias and Lincolns?
On Kias we flag oil leaks (45%), tires condition & wear (34%), fuel trim out of range (31%). On Lincolns: oil leaks (64%), fuel trim out of range (33%), active error codes (33%).
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How many Kia and Lincoln vehicles have you inspected?
143 Kias and 36 Lincolns — 179 real pre-purchase inspections. Updated Oct 27, 2026.
?
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection?
Yes. Badge averages don't sort the good car from the tired one. We still find repainted panels on 68% of Kias and 78% of Lincolns, and recently cleared fault codes on 22% / 19%.
Buying a used Kia or Lincoln? Get a pre-purchase inspection before you pay.
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Based on 179 inspections · updated Oct 27, 2026
