Since 2002 there have been 2,252,139 Honda Pilots sold in the United States. With over two million cars sold, you might find yourself asking, “Should I buy a used Honda Pilot?”
A used Honda Pilot with full-service history and below-average mileage makes an excellent midsize SUV purchase. Honda has won the “Car and Top Manufacturer Award” more times than any other brand. Lower prices, cheaper insurance, slower depreciation are just some advantages of owning a Honda Pilot.
In this post, we’ll give you a flavor of just what it might be like to own a Honda Pilot.
How Much Do Used Honda Pilots Cost?
According to USNews, a pre-owned 2016 – 2019 Honda Pilot in average condition may range anywhere from about $26,000 – $40,000 (depending on spec). Like any used car, the price may also vary depending on the year, condition, and history of the vehicle.
| Year | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Honda Pilot Cost | $40,000 | $37,000 | $32,000 | $26,000 |
There are many things that factor into a used car’s value. Mileage and condition both play a significant role in the price. The more miles a vehicle has been driven, the less the car will cost. Additionally, cars that are in excellent condition will cost more than cars that are in poor condition, even if that condition has nothing to do with the drivability of the vehicle.
Another surprising factor is location. The price of a used car will vary from one location to the next because they may sell better in one area than another. For example, convertibles are often more expensive when bought in warmer, coastal areas.
Finally, features weigh into the price of a used vehicle as well. Two cars of the exact same make, model and year could have similar mileage and condition but vary widely in price depending on the extra gadgets the vehicle has. When you buy a new car, the dealership will often try to upsell Add-ons. These are additional features such as seat warmers and digital tire pressure gauges. Any added accessories present on a vehicle will factor into that vehicle’s resale price.
A new Honda Pilot will depreciate by as much as 50% after 6 years and have a 6 year resale value of $23,287.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Used Honda Pilot?
Insurance prices vary from individual to individual and depend on factors such as a person’s age, where they live, their credit and driving history, and how they will use the vehicle. However, the average cost to insure a used Honda Pilot is around $1,500 a year or $250 a month.
Before committing to a purchase, it is always a clever idea to shop for insurance quotes for the vehicle you are thinking about buying. Knowing the vehicles’ VIN numbers can make this process a lot easier. Some insurance companies will compare quotes from several top-rated companies, which is much easier than having to fill out multiple quote forms.
Check out car insurance site The Zebra for a more accurate cost.
Which Model Year Is the Best for a Honda Pilot?
Most experts agree that the 2020 Honda Pilot will give you the best value for your money when bought used. Typically, a used 2020 Pilot will cost about 75% of what it would cost if it were new. This means you will spend 25% less on a vehicle that still has much of its life left.
According to JD Power, users ratings also show high satisfaction with used Honda Pilots between the years of 2017-2019. Users agree that they spent much less on a vehicle that performed just as well as a brand-new vehicle.
Honda Pilot Maintenance Costs
Before deciding which type of car to buy, you should consider what it will cost to keep the vehicle running perfectly. You can do this by looking at the car’s recommended maintenance schedule, which is typically found in the user manual.
Suggested maintenance will be broken down into miles. For example, the company might suggest that an owner replace the oil and rotate the tires within the first 7,500 miles.
Before you buy a car, it is recommended that you look at the maintenance schedule for the make and model of any vehicle you are looking at buying. Then, starting with the mileage the car currently has, figure out what maintenance will be necessary going forward. You can then call around and inquire about the price of each service to get a better picture of what the maintenance will cost you.
| Typical Honda Pilot Maintenance Items | 2016 |
| Oil and oil filter change plus 50 point inspection | $97 |
| Transmission oil change | $241 |
| Brake pad replacement (front) | $212 |
| Replace rotors (front) | $485 |
| Air and cabin filter | $168 |
| Wiper blades | $178 |
Are Honda Pilots Reliable Vehicles?
Honda is a highly reputable company. They have won many awards, including awards such as:
- Top Safety Pick
- Best Buy Award
- Greenest Auto Maker
- Car and Driver Top Manufacturer Award
JD Power, a leading trusted online motoring website, scores the Pilot consistently highly in the reliability stakes. Additionally, the Honda Pilot has won many independent awards. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. When considering a Honda Pilot, you should always look at the rating and awards for the vehicle based on its year and model.
How Long Will a Honda Pilot Last?
Honda Pilots will commonly last for a minimum of 200,000 miles, with many users reporting over 350,000 miles. As with any vehicle, how long it lasts will depend on how it is used and how well it is cared for. If you keep up on the suggested maintenance and drive it responsibly, you should be able to enjoy upwards of 350,000 miles worth of reliability from this type of vehicle.
What Should I Look for in a Used Honda Pilot?
Among other things, you should look at the overall condition of the vehicle, the mileage, and look for the presence of common issues.
SUVs are a popular choice among families, which means they often spend a lot of time hauling kids around. You should check that the interior is clean and in good condition. Also, you should inspect the vehicle for rust, especially if you live in an area where vehicles are exposed to elevated levels of salt.
What most people do not realize about mileage is that aside from showing how much life a vehicle has left, it can also indicate how the previous owner used the car. For example, if you divide the current mileage by the age of the vehicle in years, you can figure out how many miles a year the vehicle was driven. In general, you should look for a vehicle that has been driven under 10,000 miles a year.
In addition to condition and mileage, you should look for the presence of some of the more common issues that Honda Pilots are known to have.
What Are the Most Common Problems with Honda Pilots?
Here are some of the most common problems reported with Honda Pilots:
- Ignition switch problems
- Transmission failure, or leaking fluid into the radiator
- Excessive oil consumption, which may be due to oil leaks
- Chipping paint
- Fuel pump failure
- Sensor issues
- Power steering whining or groaning
- Air bag recalls
- Rodents chewing the soy wiring
These are the more common problems reported with Honda Pilots, but it is not an exhausting list. Most mechanics will do a general inspection of a vehicle to help you gain a better sense of the vehicle’s condition. It is recommended that you take the car to a mechanic separate from the dealership from which you are buying the vehicle to get an unbiased opinion.
Can I Pull a Camper or Trailer with a Honda Pilot?
Most models have a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds (about twice the weight of a Clydesdale horse). Before towing anything, you should know exactly how much it weighs. There are many smaller campers that could be safely towed, but bigger campers will exceed the towing ability.
You should not ignore the towing ability of any vehicle. Hauling more weight than what your vehicle is intended to pull will put a strain on the engine and transmission systems. Tire wear, brake problems, and warped chassis are also problems associated with hauling more than the vehicle’s ability.
To Buy or Not to Buy
Overall, a used Honda Pilot is a safe and affordable family car capable of delivering many miles of trouble-free service so long as you keep up with the recommended maintenance.
If you are about to pull the trigger on a used Pilot or indeed any used vehicle, it’s worth investing just a few dollars to check the VIN number against the vehicle database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and a ton of other uglies.
You may also find the following posts helpful:
Is SUV good for first time drivers?
Should I buy a used Honda CRV?
- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.