What Car? Reliability Supertest 2007 - Alfa Romeo - Ford

ALFA 24th of 26
2006 position 19th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 42.4
Average age 4.6 years
Average mileage 51,700
Average repair cost £381
Average repair time 3.7 hours
Best model 156 ('98-'03)
Worst model GTV ('96-'03)

As last year, axle and suspension problems accounted for most claims on Alfas (over a third), but the electrics also proved shaky and accounted for a quarter of faults.

Problems weren't easy to fix, either: repairs took longer than on any other make.

Alfa also had the most unreliable individual model - the old GTV. A staggering 97% of GTV owners experienced trouble.

Verdict:


AUDI 20th of 26
2006 position 22nd of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 34.7
Average age 4.7 years
Average mileage 54,730
Average repair cost £372
Average repair time 2.7 hours
Best model A6 ('04-present)
Worst model Allroad ('00-'05)

A slight improvement on last year, but still disappointing.

The main areas of concern were the electrical systems and axle and suspension.

Fuel systems accounted for a sixth of claims and proved particularly troublesome on the current A6.

The old-shape Allroad was Audi's most unreliable car, with 48 claims per 100 cars, but the previous TT was close behind with 47.

Verdict:


BMW 10th of 26
2006 position 7th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 26.9
Average age 4.6 years
Average mileage 50,800
Average repair cost £335
Average repair time 2.2 hours
Best model 3 Series Compact ('94-'01)
Worst model 7 Series ('94-'02)

A drop from seventh to 10th, but the number of faults per 100 cars also fell - from 28.4 to 26.9.

Axles, suspension and electrical systems were to blame for most faults; transmissions proved very reliable, however.

BMW dealers charge the third-highest average labour rate, though: £72.59 per hour.

Verdict:


CHRYSLER 22nd of 26
2006 position na
Claims per 100 vehicles 39.6
Average age 4.9 years
Average mileage 58,000
Average repair cost £427
Average repair time 3.3 hours
Best model PT Cruiser ('00-present)
Worst model Voyager ('97-'01)

Chrysler finishes fifth from bottom. The old Voyager and Grand Voyager were equal-worst offenders: more than 40 per 100 required attention under warranty.

Axle and suspension problems accounted for 40% of all claims, and repairs were lengthy. However, the Chryslers in this survey had covered a high average of 58,000 miles.

Verdict:


CITROEN 8th of 26
2006 position 6th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 42.4
Average age 4.6 years
Average mileage 48,700
Average repair cost £237
Average repair time 2.7 hours
Best model Xsara ('07-'05)
Worst model C5 ('01-present)

As in 2006, Citroen's results were patchy. The Xsara proved extremely reliable, with only 19 faults per 100 vehicles, but the C5 had twice as many. More than one-third of all faults were traced to electrical systems.

At least fixing a Citroen wasn't particularly expensive. An average repair cost £237, making it the fifth cheapest out of the 26 marques.

Verdict:

FIAT 13th of 26
2006 position 20th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 29.2
Average age 4.8 years
Average mileage 46,400
Average repair cost £278
Average repair time 2.3 hours
Best model Stilo ('01-'07)
Worst model Multipla ('99-present)

A decent improvement for Fiat. The Stilo and Bravo proved dependable, but the Multipla's 52% failure rate dragged down the company's overall result.

Fiat's average hourly labour rate was the third cheapest in the survey at £44 per hour, and the average repair cost was also reasonable at £278.

So if your Fiat does go wrong, chances are it won't cost you the earth to put it right.

Verdict:


FORD 7th of 26
2006 position 10th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 24.2
Average age 4.5 years
Average mileage 49,100
Average repair cost £231
Average repair time 2.1 hours
Best model Mondeo ('03-'07)
Worst model Galaxy ('00-'06)

Ford's more recent models have shown much improved reliability.

The recently replaced Mondeo was its best car, with just 13 claims per 100 vehicles, but the current Fiesta proved almost as reliable.

Axles, suspension and electrical systems were the main concerns. Engines, fuel systems and brakes were comparatively trouble-free.

Verdict:


To see the best and worst cars, click on the tables below:

• 10 most reliable cars

• 10 least reliable cars