most-and-least-reliable-cars-in-every-class

<p dir="ltr">Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr">BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.</p>

<p dir="ltr">All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.</p>


<p>Cars should bring freedom and pleasure, but that won't be the case if you buy one that develops a string of faults. Fortunately, the annual <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6050985/WC2021">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> can help you choose a model that will be dependable as well as desirable.</p>

<p>We&nbsp;asked more than 16,000 people to tell us if their car had&nbsp;suffered any problems over the previous year, and if so, in which areas. Plus, we asked them how long their car was off the road and how much they were charged for any repairs.</p>

<p>All of this data helped us&nbsp;give each model its own&nbsp;reliability rating. And here we&nbsp;reveal the best and worst performers – aged up to five years old&nbsp;–&nbsp;in every class.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Slideshow story – please click the right-hand arrow below to continue, or scroll down if you're viewing on a mobile</em></strong></p>


Most and least reliable cars in every class

Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This budget brand builds one of Britain’s cheapest new cars, the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other Dacia models include the seven-seat Jogger, higher-riding Sandero Stepway, Logan estate and Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Dacia manages this by borrowing platforms and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.</p>


DACIA

SANDERO

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/used-review/n852"><strong>Dacia Sandero (2013-2020)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;100%</p>

<p>The latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a> is the UK’s cheapest car to buy new, and while we don't have any reliability data for it yet, the previous version proved incredibly dependable. Indeed, not&nbsp;one of the cars that readers told us about had&nbsp;suffered a single fault, and two-thirds of Sandero owners said reliability was the best thing about their cars.</p>


Small cars

<p dir="ltr">Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.</p>


FORD

FIESTA

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a> (2017-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;74.9%</p>

<p>Fiesta owners highlighted some serious issues, with suspension and engine problems among the most common. Overall, 34% of the cars in our survey&nbsp;went wrong, with 40% of those taking more than a week to put right. The only good news is that 100% of the repairs were done for free.</p>


1 SERIES

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/used-review/n798"><strong>BMW 1 Series petrol (2011-2019)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;99.0%</p>

<p>Just 6% of previous-generation petrol&nbsp;1 Series models went wrong, compared with 30% of diesels. Still, even though many were out of warranty, all the cars we were told about were put right for free, with 100% of work done in a day or less.</p>


Family cars

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.</p>


MERCEDES-BENZ

A CLASS

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n88">Mercedes A-Class</a> (2018-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;84.8%</p>

<p>Hefty repair bills dragged the A-Class down; while 86% of faults were fixed for free, 11% of owners paid £201 to £750, and 3% more than £1500. On the up side, of the 31% of cars that went wrong, most could still be driven, with repairs taking less than a week.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.</p>

<p dir="ltr">And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.</p>


HONDA

HR-V

<h2><strong>Joint most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/hr-v/hatchback/used-review/n17417"><strong>Honda HR-V (2015-2021)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;100%</p>

<p>No wonder 88% of survey respondents told us the most important factor in choosing an HR-V was its dependability. Honda’s small SUV certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front – not one owner reported their car as suffering a fault during the previous 12 months.</p>


Small SUVs

<p dir="ltr">Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.</p>

<p dir="ltr">So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.</p>


MAZDA

CX-3

<h2><strong>Joint most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-3/hatchback/used-review/n17568">Mazda CX-3</a> (2016-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>100%</p>

<p>The CX-3 may not have the fuel-saving <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a> technology of the newer, larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-30/hatchback/review/n19748">Mazda CX-30</a>, but it stacks up impressively when it comes to durability, tying with the Honda HR-V. Not a single owner who completed our survey reported a fault with either a petrol or diesel example.</p>


Estate

<p dir="ltr">Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.</p>


PEUGEOT

2008

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/2008/estate/used-review/n857"><strong>Peugeot 2008 (2013-2019)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;81.8%</p>

<p>Although only 16% of 2008s had a problem, the model's&nbsp;score is dragged down by the cost of the necessary repairs and the amount of time cars spent in the garage. Only 38% of the faults were fixed for free, leaving nearly two thirds of owners with invoices for between £101 and £750. Meanwhile,&nbsp;63% of cars took up to a week to fix and 13% more than a week.</p>


<p dir="ltr">While Mitsubishi sells both the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pick-up truck in the UK, the core of its range is in SUVs – handy, since this is one of the largest markets worldwide.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There’s an SUV to suit everyone, too. If you’re a company car driver, the Outlander PHEV mixes low fuel bills with a spacious interior. The ASX, meanwhile, is attractively priced against key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. Or, if you prefer mud to asphalt, the Shogun offers genuine off-road ability.</p>

<p dir="ltr">More SUVs are on the way, too, including one that’s rumoured to bring back the ‘Evo’ name made famous in rallying.</p>


MITSUBISHI

ECLIPSE CROSS

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2017-2021)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;100%</p>

<p>The Eclipse Cross is one of the less well known of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-family-suvs-2022/n17116">family SUV</a> breed, but&nbsp;on the strength of reliability, perhaps it deserves a bigger following. Delighted owners told us that their cars hadn’t put a foot wrong in the past year.</p>


Family SUVs

<p dir="ltr">Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.</p>


LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/used-review/n846"><strong>Range Rover Evoque (2011-2019)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;77.1%</p>

<p>With many cars outside their manufacturer’s warranty period and a fault rate of 40%, the picture looks bleak for owners of older Evoques. Just over 80% of work was still done for free, but some owners shelled out between £301 and £750 per repair. Plus, 59% of the faulty cars spent more than a week being fixed.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a> petrol (2018-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>97.7%</p>

<p>The same percentage (17%) of petrol and diesel X3s suffered faults, but the issues with petrol models were less serious. All petrol X3s were repaired for free, compared with 92% of diesels, and 60% of petrols were back on the road within a day, against only 50% of diesels.</p>


Large SUVs

<p dir="ltr">Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.</p>


NISSAN

X-TRAIL

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/x-trail/4x4/review/n51">Nissan X-Trail</a> (2014-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;59.7%</p>

<p>Among X-Trail owners, 39% reported at least one fault. What's more, only 53% of repairs were free, with nearly a quarter (24%) costing more than £1500. A third of cars took less than a day to fix, but 24% took more than a week.</p>


2 SERIES

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series/estate/used-review/n795">BMW 2 Series Active Tourer</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series/estate/used-review/n819">BMW 2 Series Gran&nbsp;Tourer (2015-2021)</a></strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>98.8%</p>

<p>There are more practical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPV</a>s, but the&nbsp;2 Series Active Tourer and its seven-seat sister the Gran Tourer are proving impressively durable. Seven percent of the cars we were told about developed faults that prevented them being driven, but all were fixed for free and back on the road in less than a week.</p>


MPVs

<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

TOURAN

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">Volkswagen Touran</a> (2015-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>74.1%</p>

<p>A fault rate of 56% and some costly repair bills dragged&nbsp;the Touran’s score down. Only 60% of repairs were carried out for free, leaving 20% of owners facing bills of more than £1500. And although 40% of the problems were resolved in a day or less, another 40% took the workshop more than a week to put right.</p>


Least reliable

LEAF

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/used-review/n823"><strong>Nissan Leaf (2011-2018)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>98.6%</p>

<p>The original Nissan Leaf is ageing rather well. Although 12% of owners&nbsp;reported faults, all of those were rectified for free by Nissan dealers. What’s more, all work was carried out in a day or less.</p>


Electric cars

<p dir="ltr">Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.</p>


JAGUAR

I-PACE

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a> (2018-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>86.3%</p>

<p>Owners told us that 30% of their I-Paces had suffered a fault, and that a staggering 75% of those stricken cars had been stuck in service departments for more than a week – some for more than a month. The only positive is that all the remedial work was carried out under warranty.</p>


<p dir="ltr">In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.</p>


LEXUS

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/used-review/n995"><strong>Lexus NX (2014-2021)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>98.6%</p>

<p>Among NX owners who participated in the survey, a mere 2% told us that their cars had gone wrong, and faults reported were minor. The costs of all necessary repairs were covered by Lexus and all cars were fixed and back on the road in a day or less.</p>


Hybrid cars

<p>Temporary taxonomy to get review live. Proper taxonomy to be investigated.</p>

<p>ChrisH 05/11/2019</p>


X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;xDrive45e (2018-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>89.7%</p>

<p>Problems affected 25% of the hybrid X5s we were told about. True, all issues were resolved at no cost to owners, but 55% of the faulty cars took up to a week to fix and 27% spent more than a week in the workshop before owners got them back.</p>


<p dir="ltr">One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.</p>


SKODA

SUPERB

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93">Skoda Superb</a> petrol (2015-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>99.2%</p>

<p>Petrol Superbs are more, well, superb, than diesels, with 7% suffering a fault compared with 28% of diesels. Even though many cars were out of warranty, Skoda paid for 100% of repairs, and service was exemplary, with all faults fixed in a day or less.</p>


Executive cars

Saloon

C CLASS

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/saloon/used-review/n796"><strong>Mercedes C-Class diesel (2014-2021)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability ratin</strong>g 80.9%</p>

<p>As with the Superb, diesel versions of the C-Class are less dependable than petrols, with 40% developing a fault, compared with 25% of petrols. It can&nbsp;also be an expensive car to live with: 11% of bills exceeded £1500 and only 63% of cars were repaired for free. At least most cars were back on the road in less than a week.</p>


5 SERIES

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> petrol (2017-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;96.9%</p>

<p>Petrol 5 Series models suffered almost half the number of faults as diesels, with 16% going wrong compared with 31% of diesels. BMW covered the cost of all repairs, too, with 50% of work done in a day or less. Only 25% of cars spent more than a week in the garage.</p>


Luxury cars

<p dir="ltr">Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.</p>


AUDI

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/used-review/n894"><strong>Audi A6 (2011-2018)</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;82.1%</p>

<p>The previous-generation A6 isn’t ageing well. Forty percent of the examples owners told us about had gone wrong, and only 60% of the faults reported were fixed for free, leaving many owners with repair bills, ranging from £101 to £750. The one bit of&nbsp;good news is that half of the faults were fixed in a day or less.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

MACAN

<h2><strong>Most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a> (2014-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>97.9%</p>

<p>The Macan may be a pricey car to buy,&nbsp;but it shouldn’t dent your wallet when it comes to faults. Only 12% of Macans went wrong,&nbsp;and all repairs were paid for by Porsche. Sixty percent were back on the road in a day or less, too, with the rest being fixed in less than a week.</p>


Luxury and sports SUVs

DISCOVERY

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Land Rover Discovery</a> (2017-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating</strong>&nbsp;72.1%</p>

<p>A 38% fault rate isn’t the worst here, but with 36% of broken Discoverys rendered undriveable and 42% taking more than a week to put right, it’s easy to see why it’s the least dependable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">luxury SUV</a>. While 73% of cars were fixed for free, 6% of owners paid £1000-£1500 for repairs.</p>


Coupe

<h2><strong>Joint most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Audi TT</a> Coupé/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/sports/review/n13">Audi TT Roadster</a> (2015-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>100%</p>

<p>The TT has long been one of our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupés</a>,&nbsp;and it’s exemplary when it comes to dependability. Of the TT owners who participated,&nbsp;none told us their car had gone wrong in the previous 12 months, providing the model with a perfect 100% reliability rating.</p>


Coupés, convertibles and sports cars

Sports

<p dir="ltr">Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.</p>


MINI

CONVERTIBLE

<h2><strong>Joint most reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/convertible/sports/review/n17156">Mini Convertible</a> (2016-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>100%</p>

<p>It may not be the most practical drop-top you can buy, but the Mini excels when it comes to dependability. With no faults reported by any of the owners who contacted us, it ties with the Audi TT with full marks.</p>


CAYMAN

<h2><strong>Least reliable</strong></h2>

<h3><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayman/coupe/review/n17361">Porsche 718 Cayman</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/boxster/sports/review/n27">Porsche 718 Boxster</a> (2016-present)</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Reliability rating&nbsp;</strong>73.5%</p>

<p>Not only do&nbsp;the Cayman and Boxster cost a lot to fix, but they&nbsp;can also take a long time to put right. Fifty-three percent of 718s went wrong, and only 67% of repairs were free; some bills came to a few hundred pounds, but&nbsp;8% cost more than £1500. Repairs took up to a week for 83% of cars, while&nbsp;8% took more than a week.</p>

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<h2><strong><a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6050985/WC2021">Next: Complete the 2022&nbsp;What Car? Reliability Survey &gt;&gt;</a></strong></h2>


<h2>How our survey was conducted:</h2><ul><li>Owners told us about 18,119 cars</li> <li>218 models and 31 brands were then rated</li> <li>Cars were judged on the cost of repairs and time spent off the road –the two main factors involved in creating our unique reliability rating (as a percentage) </li></ul><p> </p>

<p>The Reliability Award is presented to those manufacturers that performed the best in our 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey. This year, more than 18,000 car owners responded to the survey, rating 218 models and 31 manufacturers. The brands&nbsp;that scored the highest take home our prizes this year.&nbsp;</p>

Reliability Award

Our annual Reliability Survey has revealed the most dependable cars, based on your experiences. Here we name the best and worst performers in every class

Most and least reliable cars in every class        

<p dir="ltr">In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.</p>


BENTLEY

BMW ALPINA

GENESIS

<p dir="ltr">Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.</p>


HYUNDAI

INEOS

<p dir="ltr">Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.</p>


JEEP

<p dir="ltr">Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.</p>


<p dir="ltr">When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.</p>

<p>It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.</p>


ROLLS-ROYCE

<p dir="ltr">Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.</p>


SUBARU

<p dir="ltr">Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.</p>


SUZUKI

<p dir="ltr">Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.</p>


TOYOTA

<p dir="ltr">Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.</p>

<p>The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.</p>


VOLVO

X3 M

<p>Superb to drive, with a spacious, high-quality interior. One of the best large SUVs.</p>


BMW X3

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

<p>We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.</p>

<p>The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.</p>

<p>A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;</p>

Large SUV

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