Is Cadillac reliable?
35% of the 61 Cadillacs we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 53/100 — they tend to be in noticeably worse shape than average.
#24 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~189k~76k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles61
Cadillacs inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections53/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100Based on 61 used Cadillacs we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably worse shape than average — average condition 53/100 vs 61 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
Oil leaks · Engine
56%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
56%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
46%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Dirty or low engine oil · Engine
25%
Share of inspected Cadillacs where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 15%
Good 20%
Mediocre 36%
Poor 30%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Cadillacs.
72%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
5%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
23%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 ~76k miles. It ranks Cadillac #24 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~189k. 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
16 cars · profile soon
CTS
11 cars · profile soon
Recently inspected:
2016 Cadillac XTS · 38k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, body control module. Inspected Aug 21.
2007 Cadillac Escalade · 87k mi — flagged: belts, oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Aug 20.
The bottom line
Cadillac buyers face a brand that consistently shows engine leaks, fuel-trim problems and active electronic codes, then loses condition earlier than anything else on the market, usually by 76,000 miles. Check those three areas first on the car in front of you—oil seepage, scan-tool data and tire wear—because they decide if you negotiate hard or simply walk away. Higher-mileage examples or ones already displaying those faults carry too much risk when so few Cadillacs stay in genuinely good shape.
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 oil leaks (56%), fuel trim out of range (56%), active error codes (46%).
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Based on 61 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026
