These 9 used cars under $15,000 are your best bet for a deal as prices remain sky high

• The pandemic sent prices for used and new cars soaring.

• It's more important than ever to choose a model that will last and perform well.

• Consumer Reports listed the best used cars at every price point. We picked the cheapest ones.

You used to be able to pick up a decent used car for just a few thousand dollars. Inventory issues in the auto industry and stubbornly high car prices mean those days are over.

So it's more important than ever to shop smart. If you're paying an arm and a leg for a secondhand car, truck, or SUV, you better make sure it will last and perform reliably.

To help shoppers navigate the challenges of used-car buying, Consumer Reports maintains a list of the best used cars at every price point based on hands-on tests and owner surveys.

Source: Consumer Reports

Here, we've highlighted the testing organization's top picks for used cars under $15,000.

Read more: Buying a car is never going to get better — so you might as well buy now

Small car under $10,000: Nissan Leaf (2013, 2015)

Midsized car under $10,000: Subaru Legacy (2013)

Midsized SUV under $10,000: Nissan Murano (2014)