How reliable is your car? - Volkswagen to Volvo

VOLKSWAGEN 17th
2005 position 15th
Claims per 100 vehicles 33.1
Average age 4.7 years
Average mileage 52,472
Average repair cost £273
Average repair time2.4 hours

Problem areas
About 38% of '95-'00 Sharans needed work, which was the highest claim rate of any VW, although there was no single problem with the MPV that stood out from the others.

Overall, more than 34% of Volkwagens needed work, and the suspension proved to be the main culprit. This particular area accounted for 41% of repair work to '97-'05 Passats, 35% of '92-'97 Golfs and 31% of '94-'00 Polos. Engine problems afflicted 25% of '92-'97 Golfs that had repairs.

On average, labour rates are £52 an hour, and you can reasonably expect a VW be in the workshop for three hours.

Best model Polo ('94-'00)
Worst model Sharan ('95-'00)

Verdict **
You'd think VW would be reliable, but its ageing population of cars has pushed the marque down the list.

VOLVO 16th
2005 position 13th
Claims per 100 vehicles 32.82
Average age 4.7 years
Average mileage 57,788
Average repair cost £348
Average repair time3.2 hours

Problem areas
Post-2000 V70s had the most difficulties, with 37% needing repairs. Axle and suspension systems were the main offenders right across the Volvo range, with an average of 38% of cars affected needing work in this area.

Of the 13% of '96-'04 S40s that had work done, half of those needed repairs to the axle and suspension, while 39% of the V40s that needed work suffered electrical faults. Elsewhere, Volvos were fairly robust.

Best model V40 ('96-'04)
Worst model V70 ('00-)

Verdict **
A slight dip for Volvo, but if it can solve the axle and suspension problems, expect the marque to be further up next year.

Click here for a manufacturers' reliability table.