Honda tops annual car reliability survey
* Honda wins accolade for seventh consecutive year * Eight out of top 10 reliable brands are Japanese * Expensive premium cars break down more often...
Honda is the most reliable used car brand in the UK for the seventh consecutive year, according to the What Car Reliability Survey 2012, produced in association with Warranty Direct.
Honda, which is about to launch a new version of its CR-V, has an enviable reliability record, with just a one in 10 chance of cars suffering a breakdown in any given 12-month period. Toyota and Lexus are close behind in the league table.
However, while Japanese makes once again dominate the top 10 most reliable manufacturers, the research, based on 50,000 Warranty Direct policies on cars between three and 10 years old, shows that many more expensive brands will actually let you down more often.
Premium marques Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar are languishing in the bottom 10, with fellow executive maker Audi little better. Land Rover is the UK's least reliable manufacturer, with a shocking 71% of cars breaking down at least once every year.
What Car?'s editor in chief, Chas Hallett, commented: 'Reliability is so important to motorists, especially when times are tough. Japanese car makers really do deliver on reliability and Honda is exceptionally good at this.
'What will be surprising to many is the fact that several of the more desirable brands did not fare so well regarding reliability, and the cost of their repairs are high. They need to do better.'
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