As used-car prices begin to lower after having been rather high for so long, consumers may be turning their sights on pre-owned units in the coming months. In light of this trend, Edmunds.com revealed a list of some units the company thinks consumers should keep an eye out for.

The site’s 2012 Used Car Best Bets list includes a total of 15 vehicles, with four brands — Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota — each contributing two models.

The list also spans the gamut of vehicle types, with editors offering an option for those in the market for units ranging from hybrids to large SUVs.

In compiling the list, company officials noted it emphasized “the most important criteria to consider when researching and deciding on a used vehicle: reliability, safety, value and availability.

"First, we looked at our consumer ratings as well as sources that report on reliability and longevity, and applied our own experience and judgment to determine a vehicle’s reliability. Second, we considered the way these vehicles rated in various crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety," officials explained. 

"Third, we looked at value, taking into consideration Edmunds True Market Value and Total Cost of Ownership. And fourth, we considered availability: the larger the spread of potential model years a buyer had to choose from, the better. This is why one (more abundant) car may have beaten out another (less available one) if the two were otherwise closely matched," they continued, highlighting how the units that made the cut were chosen.

Eligibility was limited to vehicles ranging from two to seven years old.

Commenting on the news, Scott Oldham, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com, said, “Our editors are often asked about the best used cars, and this list answers that question.

"By combining our own experiences with consumer ratings and evaluations, we’d suggest these cars to any used-car shopper,” he added.

The 2012 Used Car Best Bets are as follows:

Compact Sedan: 2005–2010 Hyundai Elantra
Midsize Sedan: 2005–2010 Nissan Altima
Large Sedan: 2006–2010 Hyundai Azera
Coupe: 2005–2010 BMW 3 Series
Convertible: 2005–2010 Mazda Miata
Wagon: 2005–2010 Pontiac Vibe
Compact SUV/Crossover: 2005–2010 Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV/Crossover: 2005–2010 Ford Explorer
Large SUV/Crossover: 2005–2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
Minivan/Van: 2005–2010 Honda Odyssey
Compact Truck: 2005–2010 Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck: 2005–2010 Ford F-150
Luxury: 2005–2010 Infiniti G35/G37
Hybrid: 2005–2010 Toyota Prius
Sport Compact: 2005–2010 Subaru Impreza WRX

For more details on the models that made the cut, see here.