Estate

Hatchback

Pick-Up

Saloon

Sports

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

If you’re in the market for a pick-up truck, chances are you’ll have heard of Isuzu. The Japanese brand makes buses and lorries for markets all over the world, but it’s most famous for the D-Max.

A rival to the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok, the D-Max pick-up is aimed at drivers who need rugged go-anywhere ability and lots of space, and for whom a conventional SUV just won’t cut it.

ISUZU

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

While Mitsubishi sells both the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pick-up truck in the UK, the core of its range is in SUVs – handy, since this is one of the largest markets worldwide.

There’s an SUV to suit everyone, too. If you’re a company car driver, the Outlander PHEV mixes low fuel bills with a spacious interior. The ASX, meanwhile, is attractively priced against key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. Or, if you prefer mud to asphalt, the Shogun offers genuine off-road ability.

More SUVs are on the way, too, including one that’s rumoured to bring back the ‘Evo’ name made famous in rallying.

MITSUBISHI

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

2 SERIES

5 SERIES

A CLASS

ACCORD

ATECA

AYGO X

B CLASS

C CLASS

C-MAX

CLIO

COUNTRYMAN

CR-V

CX-30

CX-5

D-MAX

E CLASS

ECOSPORT

Electric

FIESTA

FOCUS

GIULIA

IONIQ

JAZZ

KUGA

LEAF

LEON

MACAN

MONDEO

MX-5

OCTAVIA

OUTLANDER PHEV

PICANTO

PRIUS

QASHQAI

RANGE ROVER

RANGE ROVER SPORT

RAV4

SCENIC

SPORTAGE

TARRACO

TIGUAN

TOUAREG

TUCSON

VITARA

X-TRAIL

XC40

XC60

what-car-reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-large-suvs

reliability-survey-most-reliable-large-suvs

Volvo

Ford

Kuga

Land Rover

Range Rover Velar

Audi

Mazda

CX-60

Porsche

Macan

Hyundai

Tucson

Jaguar

F-Pace

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/large-suvs/n17006">Large SUVs</a> are the workhorses of the modern car scene. They're roomy, luxuriously appointed and supremely comfortable, and the best ones are also dependable companions that don't let you down. There are plenty of good models to choose from and the class has consistently performed well in our annual <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars/n26137">Reliability Survey</a>. Last year the average score for large SUVs was 92.9% and this year it's only dropped slightly to 92.2%.Overall, large SUVs are the fourth most dependable type of car, after <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a>s and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUVs</a>. <h2>How the research was carried out</h2>The latest What Car? Reliability Survey gained 29,967 responses and that enabled us to report on 199 models (up to five years old) from 31 different brands. To compile the survey, conducted in association with <a href="https://www.motoreasy.com/" target="_blank">MotorEasy</a>, we ask thousands of car owners to tell us how well their cars had behaved over the previous 24 months. For every car that has suffered a fault, we ask in what area the issue occurred, plus how much it cost to repair and how long it spent in the workshop. This information is used to create a reliability rating for each model and brand where we have a large enough response rate.<h2><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/6fe2cc473d53&amp;rdt=1">The 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now</a></h2><hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Most reliable large SUVs</h2><h3 dir="ltr">1. Mercedes GLC (2015-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 97.9%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: battery 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: more than a week </li></ul>The GLC is the SUV equivalent of the C-Class saloon in the Mercedes line-up, and it sits between the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gla/hatchback/review/n17173">GLA</a> and larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle/4x4/review/n145">GLE</a>. It's the second best Mercedes model for reliability, only surpassed by the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n88">A-Class.</a>  It's generally a robust model, with few faults. The biggest headache for owners is the fact that remedial work can be slow when things do go wrong. Only 9% of the cars reported on in our survey had a glitch, with the 12-volt battery the most common cause for concern, followed by the bodywork and non-engine electrics including the sat-nav / <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment</a> system. All faulty cars could still be driven, but 60% of them were in the workshop for more than a week. The inconvenience stopped there, though, because Mercedes covered the cost of all necessary repairs. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/glc/4x4/review/n17345">Mercedes GLC review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">2. Volvo XC60 petrol/PHEV (2017-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 96.5%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 5%, non-engine electrics 5%, sat-nav / infotainment 5% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 50% one day or less </li></ul>The Volvo XC60 is ageing gracefully and can still manage to fend off newer rivals with its roomy, upmarket interior, well-judged ride and decent handling. It's also highly dependable, with a low fault rate. Petrol and PHEV versions of the XC60 go wrong slightly more often than diesels: 16% of petrol/PHEV examples had a fault compared with 14% of diesels. However, when they do it's far more likely that Volvo will pay owners' repair bills. Our survey respondents told us that 100% of petrol/PHEV problems were fixed for free, while only 67% of diesels were covered. Most faulty cars remained driveable and half of their issues were put right in a day or less. However, 33% of cars were stuck in the garage for more than a week.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=3. Hyundai Tucson (2021-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 95.5%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 4%, non-engine electrics 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 83% cost £0  </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 56% one day or less </li></ul>The Tucson is Hyundai's largest SUV, and it's exceptionally roomy for people and luggage. The punchy hybrid versions offer an economical alternative to diesel models. It is also a sound proposition if you're after a dependable large SUV because it - and the previous Tucson (see below) - suffer from very few faults. Although 18% of the cars in our survey went wrong, most issues were minor glitches with the bodywork and a range of electrical systems. Only 4% of cars were rendered undriveable by their faults, and more than half of them were sorted in less than a day. The brand's models are backed by a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and 84% of cars were fixed for free. Where owners were charged no bills exceeded £200 per fault.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=3. Porsche Macan (2014-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 95.5%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: non-engine electrics 5%, bodywork 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 77% cost £0, 8% cost more than £1500  </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 46% more than a week </li></ul>The Macan may not be the most practical larger SUV, but it is probably the most fun to drive.  And, with prices starting at £57,000, it's affordable compared with rivals such as the hotter versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/glc/4x4/review/n17345">Mercedes GLC</a>. According to owners, their Macans didn't go wrong very often, but when they did, some could be slow and pricey to fix. Only 13% of the Macans in our survey had a problem, with a range of electrical systems and the bodywork causing the most headaches. Only 8% of cars broke down due to their faults, but only 15% were fixed in a day or less. Thirty-nine percent of faulty cars were out of action for up to a week, and 46% were stuck in the garage for more than seven days. Although Porsche covered the cost of 77% of repairs for owners, that left some having to foot the bill. Most faults cost less than £100 to put right, but 8% cost more than £1500 each.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">5. Audi Q5 petrol/PHEV (2018-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 95.1%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: non-engine electrics 10%, bodywork 5% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 55% one day or less </li></ul>The Audi Q5 has long been a popular choice for anyone who wants a roomy five-seater SUV. It's smarter inside than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a> and better to drive than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a>.If you want the most hassle-free experience, we'd recommend a petrol or PHEV model. These versions gain a far higher reliability rating than diesel models because they're quicker and cheaper to repair. Owners told us 23% of petrol/PHEV models went wrong, compared with 35% of diesels. Both had electrical issues, and while Audi paid for all petrol/PHEV cars to be fixed, it only shelled out for 82% of diesels. Petrols were quicker to fix too: four out of five cars were back on the road in less than a week, 55% in a day or less.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">6. BMW X3 petrol (2018-2024)</h3>

Reliability rating 94.3%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: sat-nav / infotainment system 12%  </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 43% one day or less </li></ul>The BMW X3 combines a great driving experience with a premium interior and plenty of space for a family of five. All versions offer decent performance, agile handling and a class-leading infotainment system. Petrol versions of the X3 outdo diesels in our reliability ratings because they're more affordable to live with: BMW covered the cost of 100% of remedial work for their owners, whereas 22% of diesel X3 faults were not fixed for free. Most X3s could still be driven in spite of their faults, but 43% of petrol car issues were resolved in a day or less, while only 28% of diesels were put right this quickly. The main gripe of petrol X3 owners was issues with the sat-nav / infotainment system, and there were also some reports of problems with the bodywork, electrics and interior trim. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/used-review/n18008">BMW X3 used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">7. Jaguar F-Pace (2016-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 94.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 5%, brakes 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 79% cost £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 42% one day or less </li></ul>The Jaguar F-Pace balances fantastic driving dynamics, a generous amount of standard kit and a smart interior. It's also one of three Jaguar models that scores well for dependability; the others are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/e-pace/estate/review/n17378">E-Pace</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">XF.</a> F-Pace owners told us that 17% of their cars had suffered a fault, with the bodywork, brakes, electrics and exhaust the main culprits. All cars could still be driven and 42% of issues were resolved in a day or less, most of the rest were sorted out in less than a week. Although Jaguar paid for fixes to 79% of cars, some owners faced hefty bills: 10% of faults cost between £751 and £1500 to put right. Jaguar F-Pace review<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">8. Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020)</h3>

Reliability rating 93.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: 12-volt battery 4%, bodywork 4%, gearbox 4%  </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 75% cost £101-£750 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 50% one day or less </li></ul>The previous-generation Tucson is a great secondhand proposition because it's practical, well-equipped and reliable. It actually has a lower fault rate than the current model: 12% of older Tucsons went wrong, compared with 18% of newer ones. Problems were split among three areas: the battery, bodywork and gearbox. Half of faults were fixed in a day or less and 25% were put right in less than a week. Only 25% were rendered undriveable by faults that took more than a week to remedy. The only major downside for owners was the cost of repairs: only 25% of faults were fixed for free, and the other bills ranged from £101 to £750.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/used-review/n17892">Hyundai Tucson used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">9. Volvo XC60 diesel (2017-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 92.6%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: non-engine electrics 7%, sat-nav / infotainment 7% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 67% cost £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 44% one day or less </li></ul>Although the diesel XC50 doesn't score as well as the petrol, it's still a sound buy. In fact, the best seller of the line-up is the 2.0 D4 diesel, and this is the one we'd seek out because it's punchy enough, reasonably economical and relatively refined.So what goes wrong? Owners told us that 14% of their cars went wrong, with electrical issues, including infotainment system faults, the main headache. Volvo covered the cost of 67% of repairs, and none of the owners who were asked to contribute to the cost were charged more than £300 per fault. Forty-four percent of cars were fixed in a day or less, and most of the rest were put right in less than a week.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">10. BMW X3 diesel (2018-2024)</h3>

Reliability rating 92.4%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: engine 4%, electrics 4%, exhaust 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 78% cost £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 28% one day or less, 27% more than a week </li></ul>The BMW X3 may have been recently replaced by a fourth-generation model, but the outgoing version is still one of the best large SUVs you can buy. It has a range of strong engines, sharp handling and is good value as a used buy. Diesel models don't score as highly as petrol/PHEV X3s for reliability because their faults can be slower and more costly to fix. Owners told us that 23% of their diesel X3s went wrong with a range of areas affected, including the engine, electrics and exhaust system. Only 28% of cars were fixed in a day or less, and 27% of faults took more than a week to put right. Although BMW put its hand in its pocket for 78% of fixes, 11% of owned paid £501-£1000 and 6% had to find more than £1500. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/used-review/n18008">BMW X3 used review</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Least reliable large SUVs</h2>1. Mazda CX-60 (2022-present)

Reliability rating 68.8%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: suspension 33%, steering 24%, non-engine electrics 19% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 43% one week or more </li></ul>Mazda is generally regarded as a dependable brand, but the CX-60 doesn't follow this trend. It's not only the least dependable model in the current Mazda line-up, it's also the lowest scoring large SUV.A whopping 62% of owners told us they'd had glitches with their cars. A third had suspension issues, a similar proportion had engine and non-engine electrical faults and 24% had steering problems.Although 33% of faults were fixed in a day or less, owners told us that 43% of problems took more than a week to put right. The only good news is that Mazda covered all repair costs.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-60/4x4/review/n24505">Mazda CX-60 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">2. Range Rover Velar (2017-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 82.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 26%, interior trim 11% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 89% cost £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 55% more than a week </li></ul>The Range Rover Velar is a refined, luxuriously equipped and seriously appealing large SUV. However, it's the lowest scoring model for reliability in the car maker's current line-up. In fact, only the previous generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/used-review/n846">2011-2019 Evoque</a> <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a> gains a lower rating (73.8%).  Just over 42% of the Velars in our survey went wrong, with bodywork and interior trim issues the main bugbears for owners. Although most cars could still be driven, 55% took more than a week to be fixed. While 89% of work was paid for by Land Rover, 7% of issues cost more than £1000 to fix.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-velar/estate/review/n17374">Range Rover Velar review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">3. Ford Kuga diesel (2013-2020)</h3>

Reliability rating 83.8%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: 12-volt battery 13%, exhaust 13%, non-engine electrics 13%, sat-nav / infotainment system 13% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: 82% cost £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Typical time off road: 36% more than a week </li></ul>The previous generation Kuga is well equipped, agile for an SUV and economical, especially if you pick a diesel. However, doing so could mean you spend more time than you'd like in the workshop. That's because diesel versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/used-review/n895">used Ford Kuga</a> have a fault rate of 44%. They could also be slow to fix: 36% of diesel Kugas were out of action for more than a week, although a similar percentage were fixed in a day or less. Ford paid for all remedial work on 82% of diesel Kugas, though, and those do did have to pay only needed to find £101-£200 per fault.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/used-review/n895">Ford Kuga used review</a><hr /><h2>Reliability of large SUVs aged up to five years old</h2><table dir="ltr"><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td> <td>Make and model</td> <td>Score</td> </tr><tr><td>1</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/glc/4x4/review/n17345">Mercedes GLC</a> (2015-present)</td> <td>97.9%</td> </tr><tr><td>2</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a> petrol/PHEV (2017-present)</td> <td>96.5%</td> </tr><tr><td>3</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson</a> (2021-present)</td> <td>95.5%</td> </tr><tr><td>4</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a> (2014-present)</td> <td>95.5%</td> </tr><tr><td>5</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41#on-the-road">Audi Q5</a> petrol/PHEV (2018-present)</td> <td>95.1%</td> </tr><tr><td>6</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/used-review/n18008">2018-2024 BMW X3</a> petrol </td> <td>94.3%</td> </tr><tr><td>7</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/f-pace/estate/review/n17356">Jaguar F-Pace</a> (2016-present)</td> <td>94.2%</td> </tr><tr><td>8</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/used-review/n17892">2015-2020 Hyundai Tucson</a></td> <td>93.2%</td> </tr><tr><td>9</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a> diesel (2017-present)</td> <td>92.6%</td> </tr><tr><td>10</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/used-review/n18008">2018-2024 BMW X3</a> diesel </td> <td>92.4%</td> </tr><tr><td>11</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/used-review/n22953">Ford Kuga</a> petrol/PHEV (2021-present)</td> <td>89.6%</td> </tr><tr><td>12</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41#on-the-road">Audi Q5</a> diesel (2018-present)</td> <td>85.6%</td> </tr><tr><td>13</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/used-review/n895">2013-2020 Ford Kuga</a> diesel </td> <td>83.8%</td> </tr><tr><td>14</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-velar/estate/review/n17374">Range Rover Velar</a> (2017-present)</td> <td>82.2%</td> </tr><tr><td>15</td> <td><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-60/4x4/review/n24505">Mazda CX-60</a> (2022-present)</td> <td>68.8%</td> </tr></tbody></table><hr />To read the reliability data for other car classes follow these links:<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">Most and least reliable cars overall</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars-brands/n26159">Most reliable car brands</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-small-cars/n26142">Most reliable small cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-family-cars/n26149">Most reliable family cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-executive-cars/n26150">Most reliable executive cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-luxury-cars/n26152">Most reliable luxury cars</a> (2023) <a href="Most reliable small SUVs">Most reliable small SUVs</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-family-suvs/n26155">Most reliable family SUVs</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-seven-seaters/n26157">Most reliable seven-seaters</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-electric-cars/n26158">Most reliable electric cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-electric-suvs/n26161">Most reliable electric SUVs</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-coupes-convertibles-and-sports-cars/n26160">Most reliable sports cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-diesel-cars/n26723">Most reliable diesel cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-petrol-cars/n26745">Most reliable petrol cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-and-least-reliable-hybrid-cars/n26780">Most reliable hybrid cars</a> (2023)<hr /><h2>About the report author</h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans</a> has been a motoring journalist for more than 30 years, and has focussed on consumer issues for much of that time. She was the advice columnist for Carweek magazine in the 1990s, helping car owners with faulty cars get the right level of reparation from car makers.She also spent six years working on motoring content for Which?, and it is here she oversaw the running of the charity's annual used car reliability survey.Claire launched the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2017, and since then has helped thousands of buyers choose the most reliable new cars and SUVs, as well as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-and-least-reliable-used-cars/n19105">most dependable used cars</a>.<hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-family-suvs/n26155">&lt;&lt; Previous</a> | <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-7-seaters/n26157">Next: Most and least reliable 7-seaters &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable large SUVs

Reliability Survey: Most reliable large SUVs

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.

A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

Large SUV

britains-most-reliable-cars-2024-plus-the-ones-thatll-let-you-down

reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars

Lexus

Toyota

Mini

Countryman

Picanto

Boxster

Coupe

Cayman

Skoda

Octavia

Tesla

MODEL Y

Convertible

Volkswagen

Golf

Nissan

Juke

Vauxhall

Corsa-e

Mokka-E

Seat

Leon

Range Rover Evoque

ZS EV

Reliability is one of the key concerns of anyone who is choosing their next car. After all, nobody relishes the time, inconvenience and potential expense of a car breaking down and requiring repair.But how do you really know whether a car is likely to be a faithful friend, or a frustrating foe? In the most recent What Car? reliability survey, conducted in association with <a href="https://www.motoreasy.com/" target="_blank">MotorEasy</a>, a massive 29,967 motorists responded to tell us which are Britain's most reliable cars — and which are the least dependable.As well as telling us if their cars had suffered any faults over the last 12 months, they also told us how much each issue cost to fix and how long it kept their cars off the road. Cost and inconvenience are the two biggest headaches of dealing with a faulty car, so we used responses on these issues to create a unique reliability rating for each car and brand.As well as rating each car for the cost of faults and time off the road, we also asked owners to tell us which area of their car was affected by the problem. This means we can tell you the kind of faults encountered by each model, helping you to make an informed decision.Our data is fully independent, gathered from real car owners and the experiences they've had with their cars, while some other reliability reports simply quote data from aftermarket warranty providers. We've split our results into different car and SUV categories, with a page dedicated to each one. So, if, for example, you want to find out the most reliable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>, you can use our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-electric-cars/n26158">most reliable electric cars</a>. Or if you're curious to know what the least <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-small-suvs/n26154">reliable small SUV</a> is, we have a page for that car class, too.We only focus on cars up to five years old because that covers the minimum three-year new car warranty as well as another two years where faults are less likely to be fixed for free. <h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/6fe2cc473d53&amp;rdt=1">The 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now</a></h2><hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Britain's most reliable cars</h2><h3 dir="ltr">=1. Lexus NX (2014-2021)</h3>

Reliability rating 100%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: none </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: none </li></ul>The previous-generation Lexus NX is your best bet if you want a fault-free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a>. This bulletproof model has been the highest-rated family SUV for two years running. Last year just 2% of owners told us they'd had minor glitches with their cars, and this year no owners at all reported any faults. This means almost all NX owners have enjoyed two years without any breakdowns or surprise bills. This year and last, the used-only NX also outperformed the latest version of the car. Last year the current model was in second place, and this year it scores 97.6% and lies in fifth place. So if you're after an ultra-dependable family SUV, look no further than the Lexus NX.  “One What Car? Reader said their NX was “dependable, I wouldn’t consider another brand”. High praise indeed, but it’s not an isolated comment, there are so few common faults. In fact, in my experience, choosing a Lexus NX comes down to finding one that isn’t wearing the battle scars of family life. As with any SUV of this size, bodywork and wheels can be scuffed, and interior trim can get broken. But as far as mechanical maladies are concerned, you’ve little to worry about.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/mark-pearson/n1035">Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/used-review/n995">Lexus NX used review</a> <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=1. Toyota Aygo X (2021-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 100%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: none </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: none </li></ul>However, you don't have to splash out on a premium brand SUV to get a reliable car. Toyota’s tiniest and most affordable car has outdone its bigger siblings in the latest survey by gaining a perfect reliability rating of 100%. This makes it the joint highest scoring model in our survey, alongside the Lexus NX, and also the top rated <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>.  The 100% score indicates that not one of the Aygo Xs in our survey had any glitches at all. That means not a single Aygo X owner has needed to seek assistance from dealers at all in the previous 24 months. This is great news for anyone after a small, affordable second car, or new drivers who need a car that's cheap to own and insure. “I find it remarkable that such an affordable car should be fault-free, but with the exception of a handful of issues which should be fixed for free as part of some recall work, the Aygo X should be faultless to own. That excellent warranty which can be extended to ten years/100,000 miles so long as the car is serviced by Toyota gives superb reassurance.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/george-hill/n23609">George Hill, Used Cars Writer</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">3. Mini Countryman (2017-2024)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.7% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 2% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one to seven days </li></ul>The Countryman isn’t only the most dependable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a> you can buy; it’s also the most reliable Mini model in the survey. That's no small achievement when you consider that the brand is rated the best overall in this year's survey, toppling Lexus from first place - a position it's held for the past seven years. Other highly-rated Mini models include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/convertible/sports/review/n17156">Convertible</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/used-review/n24232">Mini Electric</a>. Mini Countryman owners told us just 2% of their cars had any issues and these were restricted to niggles with the bodywork. With all these foibles sorted out at no cost and in less than a week, the Countryman has kept its owners extremely happy. “I covered <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/mini-countryman-long-term-test/n23146">more than 6000 miles</a> in my Mini Countryman, and despite the extra complexity of its plug-in hybrid technology, it didn’t put a wheel wrong. My experience perfectly mirrors that of its owners, it seems.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/kiall-garrett/n25249">Kiall Garrett, Senior Videographer</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/used-review/n887">Mini Countryman used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">4. Audi Q2 (2016-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.5%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: engine 3% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: more than a week </li></ul>The Audi Q2 is just behind the Mini Countryman in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a> reliability chart, making it the second most dependable model. It's also the highest-achieving Audi model in the survey, beating larger siblings, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a> <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a> <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a>.   Almost all of the Audi Q2s in our survey behaved impeccably, according to owners. Only 3% reported any issues, all of which concerned engine faults that prevented the affected cars from being driven. Other Audi models were afflicted by a range of electrical issues, including infotainment system faults, but that's not the case with the Q2. Although all Audi Q2 faults took more than a week to put right, they were corrected at no cost to owners. “There were many things I enjoyed about my Audi Q2, but <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/audi-q2-long-term-test/n25993">over 1500 miles behind the wheel</a> the thing that stayed with me was the quality of the interior. Not only does it look and feel great, it feels built to last. And in a world where knobs and dials are becoming part of the touchscreen, the Q2’s physical controls turn with a precise click.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005">Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q2/estate/review/n120">Audi Q2 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=5. Kia Picanto (2017-2024)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.3% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: gearbox / clutch 6% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one day or less </li></ul>This version of the Picanto may no longer be on sale new, but it’s well worth considering if you're after a bulletproof <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">city car</a>. It's the second most dependable small car. A mere 6% of examples aged up to five years old had any issues, and the only problematic area was the gearbox/clutch.Kia's seven-year new car warranty is one of the best in the UK, and it does a good job of covering the cost of all unexpected faults. The Picanto is proof of this: all the cars we were told about were fixed for free. Even better news for owners is that remedial work was swift: all problems were resolved in a day or less. “I had complete faith in the reliability of my Kia Picanto because it’s a frequent visitor to the top of our reliability survey. That faith was repaid: I am pleased to report that I had zero mechanical issues with the car at all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/kia-picanto-long-term-test/n22521">during my time with it</a>. And even if I did, that seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty gives enormous peace of mind”. – Oli Kosbab, Senior Videographer<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/used-review/n926">Kia Picanto used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=5. Lexus ES (2018-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.3% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: sat-nav / infotainment 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one to seven days </li></ul>The ES may be rather a left-field choice in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive car</a> class, but it's well worth having on your list of potential purchases, because it is the most dependable executive car, outclassing premium German rivals, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a>, when it comes to dependability.Only 4% of ES owners reported issues, and only with the sat-nav/infotainment systems. Even though many of the cars reported on would have exceeded the car maker's standard three-year/60,0000mile warranty, Lexus covered the cost of all remedial work. That meant the only real inconvenience for owners was that they had to wait between one and seven days to get their cars back. “I loved my time with my Lexus ES because it was comfortable, economical and felt exceptionally well built – as owners who contributed to our reliability survey found. My only issue was slightly buggy infotainment which made it hard to select the right radio station.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans, Consumer Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/es/saloon/review/n17336">Lexus ES review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=5. Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman (2016-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.3%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: bodywork 6% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one day or less </li></ul>We've considered the 718 Boxster <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">convertible</a> and Cayman <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupes/n17019">coupe</a> together because they are the same under the skin. Each one is the top in its class for reliability, and they are also the most affordable models in the Porsche line-up. Only 6% of Porsche’s mid-engined roadsters and its coupé siblings had any glitches, according to owners, and the only area of concern was the bodywork. Getting things fixed was easy, too. Even though many cars would have been outside the new car warranty period, Porsche's technicians completed all work at no cost. Even better for owners who want to get back out in their cars, all work was completed in a day or less. “It’s remarkable that a high-performance, low-slung car like the Boxster and Cayman should be among the most reliable cars. Cared-for, well-serviced examples should be painless to own. I’d go the extra mile to check for crash damage, though, and pay special attention to thumps and scrapes from speed bumps.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans, Consumer Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/boxster/sports/review/n27">Porsche 718 Boxster</a> / <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayman/coupe/review/n17361">Porsche Cayman review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=5. Skoda Octavia petrol (2013-2020)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.3%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: fuel system 6% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one day or less </li></ul>If you're after a roomy and reliable family hatchback, petrol versions of the previous-generation Skoda Octavia should be high on your shopping list. It's the highest-rated <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n27171">family hatch</a> for dependability, and the best model in Skoda's line-up.It's worth noting that some of the latest Skoda models, including the new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">Octavia</a>, have had a high percentage of electrical issues, in particular problems with their <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment systems</a>, but the used-only Octavia isn't affected by these. Only 6% of the older petrol Octavias in our survey suffered any glitches; that's far less than the current car, which has a fault rate of 36%. All issues were inconsequential, too, because they didn’t cause any breakdowns and were put right in less than a day. All work was done for free. “It’s worth doing your homework thoroughly before choosing a Skoda Octavia because they’ve been subject to a number of recalls. Whilst the impressive feedback from owners suggests these have been dealt with, I always recommend checking with your local dealer”. – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005">Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/used-review/n851">Skoda Octavia petrol used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=9. Mini Convertible (2016-2024)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.2% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: sat-nav / infotainment system 7% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: one day or less </li></ul>The Mini Convertible is just as stylish and fun to drive as its hatchback sibling, and owners tell us that it's even more reliable: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n906">Mini hatchback</a> gained a reliability rating of 97.9%. Like the hatchback, it comes with a range of strong engines and a smart, refined interior.  Only 7% of Mini Convertibles exhibited faults, and the sat-nav/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment system</a> was the only area that gave owners any grief. All of the affected cars were put right in a day or less, and Mini covered the cost of all remedial work even though some cars would have exceeded the standard three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, ensuring that disruption was kept to a minimum for owners. “The Mini Convertible is proving to be very reliable, despite a series of known faults which – by now – should've been fixed under warranty. I recommend you pay special attention to the roof mechanism, though, because like other similar roofs, it’s complex and can be costly to fix.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/stuart-milne/n25965">Stuart Milne, Digital Editor</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/convertible/sports/used-review/n17565">Mini Convertible used review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">=9. Tesla Model Y (2021-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 99.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: non-motor electric 3%, motor electrics 1%, sat-nav / infotainment system 1%   </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: £0 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 75% one day or less, 25% one to seven days </li></ul>Tesla has really turned round the reliability of its cars over the past few years and the Model Y is testament to this. Not only is it the highest-scoring <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a>, it’s also the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> overall for reliability.Only 4% of the examples we heard about went wrong, and all were fixed for free. Tesla operates a mobile service scheme, which allows owners to have their cars serviced, and any faults fixed, at a location of their choosing, which should keep the disruption caused to a minimum. That does appear to be the case with the Model Y, because owners told us that three-quarters of their cars were fixed the same day, and the rest were back on the road in less than a week. “Tesla’s latest models are proving pretty robust, and that’s quite an achievement when you consider how software-intensive the car is. I recommend you ensure any recall work has been carried out at a Tesla dealership, and as with any family SUV, check for interior and exterior damage.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/oliver-young/n22317">Oliver Young, Reviewer</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y review</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr">The 10 most unreliable cars</h2><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fnfp6dCL4oE" width="560"></iframe><h3 dir="ltr">1. Nissan Juke (2019-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 50.0%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: 12-volt battery 13%, engine 9%, brakes 6% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 35%, more than £1500 52% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 66% more than a week  </li></ul>The second-generation Nissan Juke is an affordable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a>, with a smart and practical interior and appealing exterior styling. However, it's also the lowest-scoring small SUV in the survey - and it’s the worst model overall for reliability.Nearly a third (31%) of the Jukes reported on went wrong, and 80% of these were rendered undriveable by their faults. Issues with the 12-volt battery were the most frequently cited problem, followed by troubles with the engine. There were also some reports of faults with the brake and fuel systems and various electrical components.   Owners told us that 66% of their cars were off the road for more than a week. Nissan only covered the cost of remedial work in 35% of cases, and 52% of faults cost more than £1500 each to put right. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke review</a> <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">2. MG 4 (2022-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 63.8%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: non-motor electrics 15%, interior trim 9%, motor 7% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 55%, more than £1500 19% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 68% more than a week  </li></ul>The MG 4 is one of the most affordable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a> you can buy, with prices that undercut some petrol and diesel alternatives. However, it's the lowest scoring electric model in our survey, because it has a fairly high percentage of faults and cars that go wrong can be slow and expensive to fix. Owners told us that 30% of their cars went wrong overall. They reported issues in almost all of our fault categories, including non-motor electrics, interior trim, bodywork, motor, sat-nav/ infotainment, battery/charging system, gearbox/clutch and motor electrics.  MG only paid for repairs in 55% of cases, leaving 39% of owners with bills of £1000 or more. Many faults caused a lot of inconvenience too, because 68% of affected cars took more than a week to put right.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG 4 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">3. Vauxhall Mokka Electric (2020-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 65.6% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: 12-volt battery 30%, EV battery pack 20%, sat-nav / infotainment system 15% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 92%, more than £1500 8% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 56% more than a week  </li></ul>On the plus side, the Vauxhall Mokka Electric is a good-looking, comfortable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a>. Delve into its reliability record, though and you'll soon discover it's lowest-scoring <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a>, with a high fault rate and slow repairs. According to owners, 55% of Mokka Electrics went wrong. Although a third of problems were sorted out in a day or less, 56% of broken cars were out of action for more than a week.Vauxhall paid for the work on 92% of cars, but that left 8% of owners with bills that topped £1500. The 12-volt battery accounted for 30% of problems and there were also lots of issues reported with the sat-nav/infotainment system and aircon. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka/hatchback/review/n22633">Vauxhall Mokka Electric review</a> <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">4. Kia Sportage diesel (2016-2021)</h3>

Reliability rating 66.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: engine 24%, gearbox /clutch 20%, none-engine electrics 16% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 83%, more than £1500 8% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 50% more than a week  </li></ul>It's unusual to see a Kia model at the bottom of a reliability chart because the brand mostly produces robust vehicles that keep it in or around the top 10 overall. However, diesel versions of the used-only Sportage suffered a high percentage of faults and were slow to be repaired, pushing them into the bottom place for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUVs</a>. Petrol versions fared much better, gaining an overall rating of 93.4%. Owners told us 56% of their diesel Sportages went wrong, compared with only 20% of petrol models. Half of faulty cars were in the garage for more than a week, and, although 83% of cars were fixed for free, 8% of bills exceeded £1500. Twenty-four percent of problems were with the engine, and 20% were with the gearbox/clutch.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/used-review/n17426">Kia Sportage used buying guide</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">5. Mazda CX-60 (2022-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 68.8% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: suspension 33%, steering 24%, non-engine electrics 19% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 100% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 43% more than a week  </li></ul>Mazda doesn't often appear in the lower end of our reliability tables, but its CX-60 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a> bucks this trend. It's the least dependable model in the current Mazda line-up and the second worst family SUV for dependability.A whopping 62% of owners told us they'd had glitches with their cars. A third had suspension issues, a similar proportion had electrical faults and 24% had steering problems. There were also problems with engine and non-engine electrics, the fuel system and the gearbox. Although a third of issues were put right in a day or less, 43% of owners told us their cars took more than a week to fix. At least Mazda covered all repair costs. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-60/4x4/review/n24505">Mazda CX-60 review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">6. MG ZS Electric (2019-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 69.3% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: air-con 14%, 12-volt battery 14%, EV battery pack 9% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 82%, more than £1500 5% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 82% more than a week  </li></ul>The MG ZS EV is a roomy, well-equipped and well-priced <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a>. It's far too prone to problems, though and repairs can be slow and sometimes costly.  Forty-three percent of the MG ZS EVs in our survey had problems, according to owners, and 82% of broken cars were in the workshop for more than a week. The air-con system and the 12-volt battery were the main culprits, but there were also issues with the drive battery/charging, various non-motor electrical systems and the bodywork.Although MG covered the cost of 82% of repair bills, some owners were left seriously out of pocket: 10% of faults totalled between £1000 and more than £1500.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS Electric review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">7. Volkswagen Golf diesel (2020-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 70.4%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: gearbox / clutch 11%, non-engine electrics 11%, sat-nav / infotainment system 11% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 41%, more than £1500 4% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 34% more than a week  </li></ul>The current Golf has been plagued by issues with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment</a> and other electrical systems, and there have been additional issues with diesel models and some of these have been pricey to fix, according to owners. While petrol and hybrid Golf models lie fourth from bottom in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n27171">family car</a> reliability chart, with a score of 84.1%, the diesel Golf resides right at the bottom of the class. Overall, 30% of diesel Golfs also suffered a problem, with gearbox / clutch glitches and problems with the infotainment system the most common complaints. There were also issues with the air-con and bodywork. A third of cars were in the workshop for more than a week. Only 41% of faulty cars were fixed for free, and while some repair bills were low, 11% of owners faced bills of £1000 or more.  <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf review</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">8. Vauxhall Corsa Electric (2019-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 72.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: brakes 7%, motor electrics 7%, sat-nav / infotainment system 7% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 61%, £751 to £1000 6% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 66% more than a week  </li></ul>The Corsa Electric is a decent electric car and a worthy rival to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/used-review/n817">Renault Zoe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/used-review/n24232">Mini Electric</a> in many respects, although reliability isn't one of them. It's the second most unreliable electric car, and when it does go wrong it's slow to fix. The Corsa Electric is more fault-prone than its petrol sibling, with 25% of owners reporting issues, compared with 14% of petrol Corsa owners. The main causes for concern were the air-con, drive battery/charging and non-motor electrics.Half of the cars that went wrong were in the garage for more than a week. Repairs were free for 61% of owners, and while most of the rest didn’t pay more than £500, 6% of issues cost between £750 and £1000 to put right.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n21183">Vauxhall Corsa Electric review</a> <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">9. Range Rover Evoque (2011-2019)</h3>

Reliability rating 78.3% <ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: engine electrics 15%, suspension 15%, exhaust 12% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 86%, more than £1500 14% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 62% more than a week  </li></ul>The previous Evoque isn't ageing well. It is the second worst <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a> for reliability and the lowest-scoring model in the Land Rover line-up with a 35% fault rate. It scores nearly 10% less than the current Evoque, which has a reliability rating of 86.9%, because owners told us that it was far pricier to fix. Issues with the engine electrics and suspension each accounted for 15% of faults. There were also reports of problems with the bodywork, engine, exhaust and interior trim. Although two-thirds of cars remained driveable, 62% were off the road for more than a week. And, while 86% of cars were fixed for free, the rest cost more than £1500 per fault. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/used-review/n846">Range Rover Evoque used buying guide</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">10. Seat Leon (2020-present)</h3>

Reliability rating 74.2%<ul><li dir="ltr"> Most common faults: brakes 7%, motor electrics 7%, sat-nav / infotainment system 7% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Average repair cost: fixed for free 97%, more than £1500 3% </li> <li dir="ltr"> Time off road: 62% more than a week  </li></ul>A high fault rate puts the Leon in the bottom three for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n27171">family cars</a>: 58% of the cars reported on went wrong, most (53%) with the sat-nav/ infotainment problems that have afflicted a large number of Volkswagen Group models. Other problem areas included other electrical systems, the gearbox / clutch and suspension. No wonder it's also the lowest scoring Seat model. Although most cars could still be driven, their faults were slow to resolve, with 62% of cars sitting in workshops for more than a week. While Seat covered the cost of 97% of fixes, easing some of the pain, the remaining issues cost more than £1500 each to put right. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon review</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr">How the research was carried out</h2>The What Car? Reliability Survey is open to everyone who visits whatcar.com or subscribes to What Car? magazine. Responses were received from car owners around the UK. We ask them to tell us if their car had suffered a fault in the previous 24 months, and if so what area of the car was affected. We then ask them to expand on this by telling us how much they had to pay to get the fault fixed and how long their car was in the workshop. We use the information to create a unique reliability rating for each model and brand where we have a large enough response rate. These two factors are more important than how many faults a car suffered, because they determine how much inconvenience and expense a problem caused.To gain an in-depth understanding of what goes wrong, we asked owners to describe issues in various categories: air-con, battery, bodywork, brakes, engine or motor, engine or motor electrics, exhaust, fuel system, gearbox/clutch, interior trim, non-engine or motor electrics, sat-nav/infotainment, steering and suspension systems.Furthermore, specific categories for EVs, including charging and drive battery issues, as well as difficulties with electric motors, helped us to build a better picture of EV ownership.This year, we have data for 199 models (up to five years old) from 31 brands. Where we have a large enough sample size, we separate diesel, electric, hybrid and petrol versions. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Are cars getting more reliable?</h2>We've seen an improvement in reliability over the past seven years – the percentage of cars aged up to five years old going wrong has dropped from 27% in 2018 to 22% in 2024.True, the percentage of cars being fixed for free by manufacturers has dropped a little from 87% in 2020 to 82% this year, but that still means the majority of newer cars don't land owners with hefty repair bills.That's especially pleasing when you consider that there has been a significant shift in the new car market over the past few years, with a huge increase in the number of complicated <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a> and cutting-edge pure electric models being offered by existing brands and some newer ones.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">What are the most reliable cars and brands?</h2>When it comes to reliability, a car’s brand is a better indicator of its durability than its fuel type. Mini claims the top spot this year, with a near-faultless score for all five of the diesel, electric and petrol models reported on in our survey. The shining stars were the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/used-review/n887">Countryman</a>, which gained 99.7%, making it the highest-scoring SUV overall, and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/used-review/n24232">Mini Electric</a>, which was the best EV with a rating of 98.4%. Former winner Lexus was just 0.4% behind Mini. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/es/saloon/review/n17336">ES</a> claimed the top spot in the executive class, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/used-review/n995">2014-2021 NX</a> was the best family SUV and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/rx/4x4/used-review/n17886">2016-2022 RX</a> the top luxury car.The NX and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a> were also the only models to achieve a full 100% reliability rating. Suzuki wasn’t far behind the top two brands, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/used-review/n959">2017-2024 Swift</a> and current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Vitara</a> scoring 95.7% and 97.7% respectively. Brands to make it into the top 10 for the first time include Citroën, Dacia and Renault. Credit also goes to Tesla for turning round the reliability of its cars; the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Model Y</a> the highest scoring <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a> in the latest survey. Meanwhile, Cupra and Volkswagen appear to be starting to recover from the spate of electronic glitches that marred their scores last year, but Audi and Seat haven’t improved their ratings as much. While Land Rover is still in the bottom half of the chart, it’s heartening to see it out of the bottom three. MG now occupies the bottom place, due to a high fault rate and slow repairs. Its overall score was also not helped by the large proportion of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG 4</a> owners who faced large repair bills.Also propping up the bottom of the chart are Alfa Romeo and Vauxhall. Many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/giulia/saloon/review/n159">Giulia</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/stelvio/estate/review/n113">Stelvio</a> owners said their cars had spent lengthy stints in workshops, and the Giulia could also be costly to repair.Vauxhall’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n21183">Corsa Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka/hatchback/review/n22633">Mokka Electric</a> were its lowest scorers; both were in the bottom three in their respective classes. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Which cars cost the most (and the least) to repair?</h2>While 82% of the cars in our survey had their faults fixed for free, the flipside is that 3% of car owners were left facing bills that exceeded £1500 for each issue. When it comes to costly repairs, the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a> stands out, with 52% of faulty cars costing their owners more than £1500 to repair.The latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a> can also be a costly car to live with; 40% of owners had to fund repairs costing more than £1500. And although the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/f-type/coupe/review/n17268">Jaguar F-Type</a> and Peugeot 208 don’t have much in common, both models left 33% of owners with bills that topped £1500 per fault.At the other end of the scale, Audi pleased owners of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q2/estate/review/n120">Q2</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Q3</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q4/estate/review/n23194">Q4 e-tron</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Q5</a> models by fixing 100% of their faults for free. Overall, though, the brand paid for only 79% of repairs.<hr /><h2>Are petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid cars most reliable?</h2>In spite of their complex engine and motor combinations, hybrids and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrids</a> are the least likely type of car to go wrong . Only 19% of cars with this power set-up had a glitch. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-petrol-cars/n19980">Petrol cars</a> are the next best bet if you’re after a dependable motor, with a fault rate of 22%.While some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a> (EVs) never put a foot wrong, others suffered a range of issues affecting motor and non-motor electrics, and some also had faults with their charging systems. Overall, 27% of EVs had a glitch.Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-diesel-cars/n20028">diesel cars</a> are the most likely to suffer a fault, with nearly a third (31%) of those in our survey having a problem. Diesels are also the least likely to be fixed for free; manufacturers covered the cost of only 67% of repairs for cars of this type, and 6% of owners paid out more than £1500 in repair bills.In contrast, 91% of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a> owners had their cars fixed free, and only 2% of them had to find more than £1500 to cover fixes. Next best are EVs, 89% of which were fixed for free, followed by petrol cars, 79% of which were fixed at no cost. Only 3% of EV and petrol car owners faced bills of more than £1500.<hr />To read the reliability data for other car classes follow these links:<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars-brands/n26159">Most reliable car brands</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-small-cars/n26142">Most reliable small cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-family-cars/n26149">Most reliable family cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-executive-cars/n26150">Most reliable executive cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-luxury-cars/n26152">Most reliable luxury cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-small-suvs/n26154">Most reliable small SUVs</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-family-suvs/n26155">Most reliable family SUVs</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-large-suvs/n26156">Most reliable large SUVs</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-seven-seaters/n26157">Most reliable seven-seaters</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-electric-cars/n26158">Most reliable electric cars</a> (2024) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-electric-suvs/n26161">Most reliable electric SUVs</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars-coupes-convertibles-and-sports-cars/n26160">Most reliable sports cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-diesel-cars/n26723">Most reliable diesel cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-petrol-cars/n26745">Most reliable petrol cars</a> (2023) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-and-least-reliable-hybrid-cars/n26780">Most reliable hybrid cars</a> (2023)<hr /><h2>About the report author</h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans</a> has been a motoring journalist for more than 30 years, much of that time spent specialising in consumer issues. She was a troubleshooting advice columnist for Carweek magazine in the 1990s, helping car owners with faulty cars get the right level of reparation from car makers.She also spent six years working on motoring content for Which?, and it is here she oversaw the running of the charity's annual used car reliability survey.Claire launched the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2017, and since then has helped thousands of buyers choose the most reliable new cars and SUVs, as well as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-and-least-reliable-used-cars/n19105">most dependable used cars</a>. The survey data is also shared with car makers, who use it to find out more about issues with models and the areas where they could provide better customer service.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars-brands/n26159">Next: Most and least reliable car brands &gt;&gt;</a></h2>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Britain's most reliable cars 2024 (plus the ones that'll let you down)

Reliability Survey: Most reliable cars

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

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