The most reliable used family cars

If you're looking to buy a used family car, you naturally want it to be as reliable as possible. So, to help you with your search, we've used data from our What Car? Reliability Survey, which is conducted in association with MotorEasy, to make a list of the most dependable models.

So, how does the survey work? Well, every year we ask owners to tell us about any issues they've had with their cars over the previous two years. And, if there have been any problems, we then ask how long their car was off the road and how much it cost to repair. Using all of that information, we then give each model a unique reliability score.

So, to find out more and to see the 20 most reliable models in the used family car category, click through this slideshow.

What Car? reliability rating 86.5%

Despite Vauxhall finishing in joint 23rd place with Mercedes in our Reliability Survey by brand, only 29% of petrol-powered Astra (2015-2021) owners had a fault with their car during the previous two years. That's less than the Vauxhall Corsa petrol (2014-2019) of the same era, where 50% of owners reported a fault.

Out of the issues, problems with the engine, gearbox/clutch and sat-nav/infotainment system were the most common. However, 42% of cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day, and 50% of repairs were fixed under warranty.

Read our latest Vauxhall Astra review

What Car? reliability rating 86.7%

The Kia Ceed (2012-2018) family car is not only good value, but it's also a reliable choice in diesel form. Out of those who took part in our survey, 27% of owners had a fault with their car during the last two years, with the biggest issues being related to the brakes and non-engine electrics. What's more, 67% of cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day.

One of the biggest draws to Kia is its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. As such, 40% of repairs were fixed for free under warranty, while 20% of repairs cost between £51-£100.

Read our latest Kia Ceed review

What Car? reliability rating 86.7%

The Pulsar (2014-2018) was Nissan's answer to the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf when it was launched in 2014. And today, it scores better for reliabilty than both of those cars.

From our survey, 29% of owners reported a fault with their Pulsar, with the biggest issues stemming from the engine electrics and fuel system. Despite that, half of cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day, while 13% of cars were not driveable and off the road for more than a week. In terms of costs, more than two thirds of repairs cost £200 or less to fix.

Read our Nissan Pulsar (2014-2018) review

What Car? reliability rating 86.9%

Surprisingly, the second-generation petrol A-Class (2005-2012) scores better for reliability than the third and fourth-generation cars that followed it. Despite that, a large chunk of owners – 44% – reported a fault with their car over the last two years (although issues were limited to the exhaust, gearbox/clutch and suspension).

More positively, the largest percentage of owners – 33% – found their cars were still driveable, with repairs taking one day to a week to fix. No cars were fixed under warranty, though (a factor which is likely down to the car's age), while a third of repairs cost between £101-£200 to fix. No cars cost more than £1500 to fix.

Read our latest Mercedes A-Class review

What Car? reliability rating 87.0%

Despite being a hugely successful car, the first generation BMW 1 Series (2004-2011) was cramped inside and not that good to drive. This second-generation (2011-2019) car fixed both of those faults, though, and today remains a much better choice in terms of reliability.

As such, just 18% of owners reported an issue with their car during the previous two years (with the biggest issues relating to the air con, engine and engine electrics). And even though 23% of cars were not driveable, a much bigger portion – 41% – were driveable and fixed in less than a day. What's more, 37% of cars were fixed under warranty, while 18% of repairs cost more than £1500 to fix.

Read our latest BMW 1 Series review

What Car? reliability rating 87.3%

The Octavia (2013-2020) is a prime example of Skoda's reputation for reliability, because just 19% of owners reported a fault with their petrol powered model.

The largest problem areas were the engine (5%) and gearbox/clutch (5%), while a small number of issues related to the air con, battery and interior trim and seats. On the plus side, 44% of cars were driveable and fixed within a week, while the largest percentage of cars – 33% – cost between £501-£750 to fix.

Read our latest Skoda Octavia review

What Car? reliability rating 87.4%

Even though 29% of Honda Accord (2008-2015) owners reported an issue with their car, the main problem areas were limited to non-engine electrics and brakes.

The time off the road was a mixed bag, on the other hand, with 33% of cars being undriveable but repaired in less than a week. No cars cost more than £500 to fix.

Read our Honda Accord (2008-2015) review

What Car? reliability rating 88.0%

With its chunky looks and practical interior, the Skoda Yeti was a popular choice in the UK when it was launched in 2009. As such, it makes a great used buy with plenty of cars out there to choose from.

From our survey, just 20% of diesel Yeti owners reported an issue with their car during the last two years. The downside, however, is that faults spanned a wide range of areas, including the engine, exhaust and non-engine electrics, while 46% of cars were driveable and fixed within a week. No cars were fixed under warranty, however.

Read our Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) review

What Car? reliability rating 88.1%

Even though it shares its underpinnings with the MK7 Volkswagen Golf (a car that doesn't feature on this list), the Seat Leon (2013-2020) scores well for reliability, with 21% of owners reporting a fault with their petrol-powered car.

What's more, half of cars were still driveable and fixed in less than day after the issue was found, while half of the issues cost between £101-£200 to fix.

Read our latest Seat Leon review

What Car? reliability rating 88.2%

If you want a good, reliable family car that isn’t one of the the usual suspects, the petrol-powered Mazda 3 (2009-2013) makes a decent choice.

Even though 30% of owners reported a fault with their car, those issues were limited to just two areas: the battery and bodywork. The costs of repairs were also relatively low (between £51-£300), while 71% of cars were driveable and fixed in less than a day.

Read our latest Mazda 3 review

What Car? reliability rating 88.3%

When it was launched, the Honda Civic (2006-2012) offered futuristic looks, a spacious interior and a big boot. As a used buy, it's a good option that should be reliable, with 25% of owners in our survey reporting a fault with their car. Those faults, however, did span a wide range of areas, including the air con, bodywork, battery, engine electrics and exhaust.

More positively, 47% of cars were driveable and fixed in less than a day, while the majority of issues cost between £101-£200 to fix.

Read our latest Honda Civic review

What Car? reliability rating 90.0%

The first-generation Focus was a huge success, so Ford didn't mess with the recipe with the second-generation car. As such, it's a good all-rounder that's fun to drive, practical and cheap to run.

As a used buy, the second-generation Focus is one of the more reliable family cars, and beats the car that came before it. Indeed, just 19% of owners reported a fault with their car, with issues being limited to the battery, brakes, exhaust and suspension. All cars were driveable and fixed in less than a day (although repairs cost between £751-£1000).

Read our latest Ford Focus review

What Car? reliability rating 92.0%

Despite Alfa Romeo finishing in 29th place (out of 32 brands) in our survey, the Giulietta has a good reputation for reliability, with just 15% of owners in our survey reporting a fault with their car.

Faults were limited to just three areas: the air con, bodywork and gearbox/clutch. Half of cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day, while 25% were fixed within a week. Some cars were not driveable but were fixed within a day.

Read our Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010-2020) review

What Car? reliability rating 92.1%

The petrol-powered Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) is more reliable than the diesel-powered versions, with just 15% of owners reporting a fault (compared with 20%).

Like the diesel Yeti, issues spanned a wide range range of areas, including the battery, bodywork, fuel system, gearbox/clutch and suspension. Even though all cars were still driveable with issues fixed in less than a week, repairs were quite pricey, with a large percentage of owners (29%) paying between £301-£500.

Read our Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) review

What Car? reliability rating 92.3%

Toyota has a good reputation for reliabilty, and finished in 2nd place out of 32 brands in our survey. As such, the Auris is one of the more reliable family cars in petrol form, with 13% of owners reporting a fault.

Out of those faults, issues were limited to just the bodywork. The largest percentage of cars (67%) were driveable and fixed in less than a day, while repairs spanned a wide range of price brackets, including a third which cost between £501-£750.

Read our Toyota Auris (2009-2017) review

What Car? reliability rating 93.5%

In contrast to the Skoda Yeti, where the petrol-powered versions were more reliable, the diesel-powered Leon makes a more reliable choice overall than the petrol versions.

Indeed, 24% of owners reported a fault with their car, with the largest percentage of issues (14%) being related to the bodywork. A large percentage of repairs (57%), meanwhile, cost between £51-£100 to fix (and all cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day).

Read our latest Seat Leon review

What Car? reliability rating 93.6%

The British-built ninth-generation Honda Civic was launched in 2012, and today it continues the Civic's strong reputation for durability and dependability. From our survey, just 14% of owners reported a fault with their car, with the most troublesome area being the non-engine electrics.

Repair costs spanned a wide range of price brackets under £1000, although the majority of owners (33%) had their repairs fixed under warranty. All cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a week.

Read our latest Honda Civic review

What Car? reliability rating 94.9%

Unlike its predecessor, the second-generation Hyundai i30 was a genuine alternative to the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. And as a used buy, that reputation continues, with reliability proving to be a particular strong point. Indeed, just 14% of owners reported a fault with their car.

Even though issues spanned a wide range of areas (including the bodywork, brakes, engine electrics and gearbox/clutch), nearly all cars were driveable and fixed in less than a week. What's more, the largest percentage of cars (43%) were fixed under warranty.

Read our latest Hyundai i30 review

What Car? reliability rating 96.2%

The petrol-powered versions of the Honda Civic (2012-2017) are even more reliable than the diesel versions. Indeed, just 6% of owners had an issue with their car, with issues being related to the bodywork, brakes and gearbox/clutch.

All cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a week, while a quarter of issues were fixed under warranty. Unfortunately, another quarter of repairs cost between £1001-£1500 to fix.

Read our latest Honda Civic review

What Car? reliability rating 99.3%

According to our Reliability Survey, the Mazda 3 (2014-2019) in petrol form is the most reliable family car you can buy.

Indeed, just 3.6% of owners reported a fault with their car, with non-engine electrics being the only area of fault. What's more, all cars were still driveable and fixed in less than a day, while repairs cost between £1-£50.

Read our latest Mazda 3 review

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