What Car? Reliability Supertest 2007 - Skoda - Volvo

SKODA 19th of 26
2006 position 18th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 33.7
Average age 4.5 years
Average mileage 45,500
Average repair cost £190
Average repair time 1.8 hours
Best model Octavia ('98-'04)
Worst model Fabia ('00-'07)

Skoda continues to fall down the table - it was ninth overall in 2005 and 18th last year.

Again, the old Octavia was the company's best model by far, with 21 claims per 100 policies. That's almost half as many as were made on the recently replaced Fabia.

The supermini's main problem concerned the axle and suspension system, which accounted for just under 40% of warranty claims.

Verdict:


SUBARU 3rd of 26
2006 position na
Claims per 100 vehicles 23
Average age 5.4 years
Average mileage 59,500
Average repair cost £465
Average repair time 2.7 hours
Best model Forester ('97-'04)
Worst model Legacy ('94-'03)

This is a strong showing from Subaru. In the survey, only Saabs had a higher average mileage - and even then only just - but Subaru came third to Saab's 21st.

The one weak link for Subaru was the previous-generation Legacy, which didn't fare well - nearly one in three cars suffered trouble.

Worse still, when things did go wrong, a big bill often ensued: Subaru had the second highest average repair cost at £465.

Verdict:


TOYOTA 2nd of 26
2006 position 5th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 13.1
Average age 4.8 years
Average mileage 49,000
Average repair cost £323
Average repair time 2.4 hours
Best model Corolla ('00-'02)
Worst model Avensis ('97-'03)

As ever in this survey, Toyota did extremely well. The Corolla ('00-'02) was the most reliable car overall, with just three claims for every 100 cars.

The Celica also finished in the top 10, with only 6% of cars needing work.

The previous-generation RAV4 and Yaris scored a very good 11%, with electrics being the main problem.

Even the 'worst' model, the old Avensis, achieved a respectable score of 20%.

Verdict:


VAUXHALL 13th= of 26
2006 position 9th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 29.2
Average age 4.5 years
Average mileage 50,100
Average repair cost £270
Average repair time 2.2 hours
Best model Corsa ('00-'06)
Worst model Omega ('99-'04)

Although Vauxhalls haven't become any less reliable since last year's survey, the company has fallen down the results table because its rivals have improved.

The popular old-shape Zafira was the company's second-worst performing model, with 29 warranty claims per 100 policies.

Average labour rates and repair times were reasonable, however, so the typical bills to get cars back on the road weren't horrific.

Verdict:


VOLKSWAGEN 15th of 26
2006 position 17th of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 29.4
Average age 4.7 years
Average mileage 54,000
Average repair cost £276
Average repair time 2.3 hours
Best model Lupo ('99-'06)
Worst model Golf ('97-'04)

There was some improvement from VW and just 15% of Lupos needed work. Most VWs had claim rates of between 26% and 31%, with the previous Golf the least reliable.

Repair costs were average, although one Golf landed one the largest bills of last year at £3203.

Verdict:


VOLVO 18th of 26
2006 position 16th out of 26
Claims per 100 vehicles 33.6
Average age 4.6 years
Average mileage 56,600
Average repair cost £386
Average repair time 2.3 hours
Best model S40 ('96-'04)
Worst model S80 ('98-'06)

Volvo hasn't fared well in the past few surveys, although its cars' high average age and mileage don't help.

The previous S40 and V40 did best, but 51% of old-shape S80s needed attention. Suspension problems were Volvo's weak point.

Verdict:


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

• 10 most reliable cars

• 10 least reliable cars