Is Cadillac reliable?
35% of the 58 Cadillacs we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 56/100 — they tend to be in slightly worse shape than average.
#24 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~176k~86k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles58
Cadillacs inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections56/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 60/100Based on 58 used Cadillacs we inspected, they tend to be in slightly worse shape than average — average condition 56/100 vs 60 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
55%
Oil leaks · Engine
55%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
48%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Dirty or low engine oil · Engine
26%
Share of inspected Cadillacs where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 19%
Good 16%
Mediocre 50%
Poor 16%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Cadillacs.
72%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 76%
5%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
21%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
Compare with another brand:
Cross-shopping? Cadillac vs BMW · Cadillac vs Lexus · Cadillac vs Mercedes
How long does a Cadillac last?
Across every Cadillac body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~86k miles. It ranks Cadillac #24 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~176k. Shopping a Cadillac near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of Cadillacs in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
Cadillac models we've inspected
Escalade
15 cars · profile soon
CTS
11 cars · profile soon
Recently inspected:
2025 Cadillac Optic · 10k mi — flagged: headlamp control module. Inspected Jun 22.
2019 Cadillac XTS · 79k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, dirty or low transmission fluid. Inspected Jun 22.
The bottom line
These Cadillacs often come with engine problems leading the list, so prioritize checking for oil leaks and fuel trim issues that affect more than half of them, plus dirty oil and active error codes. Longevity ranks dead last, with condition typically dipping below decent at 86,000 miles, so focus on lower-mileage cars and walk if the odometer is higher or if those engine faults are present without recent fixes. Use any oil leaks or codes as leverage to negotiate hard or pass entirely.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with a used Cadillac?
Across the Cadillacs we inspected, the items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (55%), oil leaks (55%), active error codes (48%).
Thinking of buying a Cadillac? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 58 inspections · updated Jul 12, 2026
