In association with MotorEasy
What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable family cars
In our annual Reliability Survey, we ask readers to rate the dependability of cars aged up to five years old. Here we list the most and least reliable family cars in the UK...
Family hatchbacks are the bread and butter of the car world. They remain popular with private buyers and company car drivers alike, despite the rise in demand for SUVs.
That means there are plenty of used examples to choose from, but as data from our Reliability Survey (conducted in association with MotorEasy) shows, not all family cars will provide problem-free motoring. However, this year the class has risen to fifth place out of our 10 categories, with an average score of 92.6%, up on last year's rating of 91.1%.
The good news is that there are also some highly dependable models, including the previous generation Kia Ceed and the Honda Civic. And, if you're after a reliable electric family car, the used-only BMW i3 should be on your shortlist.
The most common problems suffered by family cars are electrical issues, in particular problems with the infotainment systems, so it's worth checking this out if you're looking at buying a used model.
For this story, we've pulled out data for family cars aged up to five years old. Reliability information for older models is in our Most reliable used cars feature.
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Most reliable family cars
1. Kia Ceed (2018-2025)
Reliability rating 98.8%
Most common faults: sat-nav/infotainment system 4%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 50% one day to a week, 50% more than a week
Competitively-priced and loaded with plenty of standard equipment, the previous-generation Kia Ceed is a good option if you're after a practical family car. Kia’s family hatchback may not be the last word in driver involvement or sophistication, but it is the most dependable choice in this class, with an almost perfect reliability rating in the latest survey.
Owners told us that only 8% of their Ceeds had any issues, with the sat-nav/infotainment system being the only area of concern. Although all of the cars that went wrong could still be driven, half of them spent up to a week under repair and fixing the rest took longer than that. However, the good news for owners is that the brand appears to be exemplary at honouring its seven-year warranty, covering the cost of all remedial work.
Owner’s view: “The things I like most about my Ceed are its long warranty and how reliable it has proven.”
2. BMW i3 (2013-2022)
Reliability rating 97.4%
Most common faults: motor electrics 4%, steering 4%, suspension 4%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 25% one day or less, 25% one day to a week, 50% more than a week
The BMW i3 may be one of the older electric cars, but it still looks modern and, like all BMW models of this era, it has a stunning interior. It was available as a pure electric model and a range-extender hybrid. Of the electric options, we'd avoid the early 22.6kWh version, which has a range of only 80 miles, and, if your budget allows, opt for the 2019-on version with a 42.2kWh battery that doubled the official range to around 160 miles.
Our data covers only the pure electric version, which is proving pretty durable as it ages. Not only does it have a relatively low fault rate of 11%, but it should also be affordable to live with; owners told us that BMW covered the cost of all repairs.
Faults were reported with electric motors, steering and suspension, but only 25% of issues prevented cars from being driven. Half of the defects were rectified in less than a week, but the rest took longer to fix.
3. Honda Civic (2022-present)
Reliability rating 97.3%
Most common faults: steering 10%, hybrid battery pack 2%, bodywork 2%, sat-nav/infotainment system 2%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 44% one day to a week, 44% more than a week
The current-generation Civic takes the guesswork out of choosing a family hatchback because it only comes with one engine option, one bodystyle and three trim levels. So, getting the five-door hatchback with the efficient 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine, which can do up to 60.1mpg officially, is a given, and we'd recommend sticking with entry-level Elegance trim.
Although the Civic isn’t the highest-scoring Honda model for reliability, it’s not far behind the best in the family car category. Only 13% of the cars we were told about had any issues, most commonly relating to the steering system; this accounted for 10% of faults.
Most (89%) of the affected cars remained driveable, but 44% of those with problems were under repair for more than a week. Even though Honda’s new car warranty ends after three years, all faulty cars aged up to five years old were fixed for free.
4. BMW 1 Series (2019-present)
Reliability rating 97.2%
Most common faults: bodywork 3%, brakes 3%, non-engine electrics 3%
Average repair cost: 91% £0, 9% £51-£100
Typical time off road: 40% a day or less, 50% one day to a week
The third-generation of the 1 Series is a more practical family car proposition than before, with a front-wheel-drive layout (with the option of four-wheel drive for certain variants), and a choice of two mild hybrid petrol engines. It still retains the punchy performance and plush interior of its predecessors, and their strong levels of durability.
Only 9% of the 1 Series examples in our survey went wrong, and 95% of them could still be driven. Troubles were split evenly between the bodywork, brakes and electrical systems, and BMW took care of most of the necessary remedial work. While 40% were back on the road within 24 hours, half of cars took up to a week to put right.
5. Vauxhall Astra (2015-2021)
Reliability rating 96.8%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 6%, non-engine electrics 6%, sat-nav/infotainment system 6%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 50% one day or less, 50% one day to a week
Well-equipped and spacious inside, the previous-generation Vauxhall Astra is great value as a secondhand buy. This seventh-generation version boasts a raft of changes over the previous 2009-2015 Vauxhall Astra that offer improvements in most areas. Although it's smaller than the car it replaced, it's roomier inside, and it's better to drive, too, with a wide range of more efficient engines to choose from, and some showroom-friendly and innovative technology.
The previous-generation Astra does have a fairly high fault rate, though — 22% of owners told us their cars had suffered some sort of glitch. However, the car maker covered the cost of all repair work, and it fixed half of faulty cars in a day or less. Problem areas included the 12-volt battery, infotainment and other electrical systems.
=6. Nissan Leaf (2019-2024)
Reliability rating 96.5%
Most common faults: battery pack 2%, brakes 2%, interior trim 2%, non-motor electrics 2%, suspension 2%
Average repair cost: 88% £0, 12% £301-£500
Typical time off road: 63% one day or less, 25% one day to a week
The second-generation Leaf is a big improvement over the original, with good performance and a far better range, especially if you go for the larger 62kWh version — in our tests it achieved a real range of 217 miles, which isn't far from its predicted range of 239 miles.
Although Nissan has struggled with a high proportion of faults on some of its models, the Leaf has long been a paragon of dependability. Even as it ages, it's still not hampered by too many faults.
Owners told us 15% of their Leafs had some sort of issue, but 83% of the affected vehicles could still be driven. Most issues were put right in a day or less, and all were sorted out in less than a week. The only niggle is that Nissan left one in five owners of faulty cars with bills of up to £500.
Reliability rating 96.5%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 8%, non-engine electrics 3%, interior trim 2%
Average repair cost: 91% £0, 9% £51-£200
Typical time off road: 63% one day or less, 33% more than a week
The Corolla is an unusual family car because it's only available as a regular hybrid rather than a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid. That means it's more efficient than a conventional petrol model, but it doesn't have to be charged up to maintain the lowest running costs. It's also comfortable, well-equipped and comes with lots of standard kit.
It's proving pretty robust, too. Only 15% of owners reported a fault, and just over two-thirds of cars with issues could still be driven. Aside from headaches with the 12-volt battery, the only other problem areas were the interior trim and various electrical systems. Two-thirds of cars were fixed within 24 hours, and Toyota paid for 91% of repairs.
8. Seat Leon (2013-2020)
Reliability rating 96.4%
Most common faults: bodywork 4%, brakes 4%, engine 4%, interior trim 4%
Average repair cost: 67% £0, 33% £201-£300
Typical time off road: 75% one day or less, 25% more than a week
The third-generation Seat Leon is based, like those before it, on the underpinnings of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf, and that means it's a good all-rounder, with decent performance and predictable handling. It is lighter and roomier than the 2005-2012 Seat Leon, and also more efficient and much better to drive.
It's also excellent value for money, making it a terrific used buy. And another bonus is that it doesn't suffer the high proportion of infotainment and other electrical system issues that blight the newer model.
Overall, 15% of the cars reported on went wrong, but 75% of them remained driveable. Remedial work was generally swift, with three-quarters of cars in and out of the garage in a day or less, but Seat only covered two-thirds of bills, leaving some owners having to find up to £300 per fault.
9. Skoda Scala (2019-present)
Reliability rating 95.0%
Most common faults: sat-nav/infotainment system 11%, air-con 4%, 12-volt battery 4%, brakes 4%, engine 4%, exhaust 4%, fuel system 4%, non-engine electrics 4%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 50% one day or less, 25% one day to a week, 25% more than a week
The Skoda Scala isn't a big seller, but it is a practical family hatchback with lots of equipment and space for a family of five. It shares the same basis as the Volkswagen Golf, but undercuts it on price. It received a mid-life update in 2023 to help it remain competitive; this sharpened up its exterior styling and provided a mildly improved interior with upgraded technology.
The Scala's 25% fault rate is high, and with 11% of those issues relating to the infotainment system, it's evident that the Skoda model shares the VW Group's common problems with this area of the electrics. The good news is that all issues were resolved quickly — around half were sorted out in a day or less, and three-quarters of faulty cars were back on the road in less than a week. Even better, all work was done at no cost to owners.
Reliability rating 94.9%
Most common faults: brakes 4%, gearbox 4%, non-engine electrics 4%, air-con 2%, engine electrics 2%, exhaust 2%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 46% more than a week, 36% one day to a week
It may be an MPV, but the BMW 2 Series is good to drive and comes with a choice of petrol engines that have mild-hybrid assistance or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) systems. There are two PHEV options: the 242bhp 225e and the 322bhp 230e. Both have four-wheel drive and feel quick, with the most powerful version sprinting from 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds. Impressively, both can also travel for around 50 miles on electric power alone, although you're not likely to achieve this in real-world driving.
The 2 Series Active Tourer isn't as robust as other BMW models, but its 19% fault rate is acceptable. No single area looks too problematic - faults are split between a number of components, from the brakes to air-con. While getting things put right can be slow, BMW covered the cost of all repair work.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer leasing deals
Least reliable family cars
1. Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2016-2022)
Reliability rating 80.1%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 29%, battery pack 18%, interior trim 12%
Average repair cost: 89% £0, 11% £101-£200
Typical time off road: 70% more than a week, 30% one day or less
Don't be fooled by the Ioniq's mild-mannered looks, it was a real trailblazer when it launched in 2016 because it was the first model to be offered with three forms of electrification: it came as a hybrid (HEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an electric vehicle (EV). The electric-only version is pricier to buy than its siblings, even used, and has a limited official range of 174 miles, so our top choice is the PHEV.
The Ioniq Electric also suffered more issues than other versions, with EV and 12-volt battery issues blighted the ownership experience of some drivers. The EV battery was the cause of 18% of issues and the 12-volt unit was responsible for 29% of faults. Together, they rendered 80% of affected vehicles undriveable.
Repair work was slow in many instances, too; 70% of cars were in the workshop for more than a week, and we were told that some were out of action for several weeks due to parts supply issues. While Hyundai looked after the bills for 89% of owners, 11% had to pay anywhere from £101 to £200 for their cars to be fixed.
Owner’s view: “I’ve been very disappointed with the EV battery problems my Ioniq has suffered and how they were dealt with.”
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2021-present)
Reliability rating 80.7%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 20%, bodywork 10%, interior trim 7%, non-engine electrics 7%, sat-nav/infotainment 7%, battery pack 5%, electric motor 5% charging system 3%
Average repair cost: 90% £0, 5% £1-£100, 5% more than £1500
Typical time off road: 56% more than a week, 37% one day or less
The Ioniq 5 is a strikingly good-looking family car, with plenty of space and a long range. Even the entry-level 60kWh versions will travel up to 273 miles between charges, which is more than an entry-level Kia EV6.
However, this Hyundai has been plagued by difficulties with its EV battery, as well as failure of the 12-volt battery. These two weaknesses are the main contributors to the model’s poor 42% overall fault rate, although some owners also told us their cars had defective bodywork, interior trim and electrical systems.
Faults prevented 41% of affected cars from being driven, and fixes tended to be slow, with 56% of cars off the road for more than a week. Hyundai covered 90% of repair costs, and most bills totalled less than £100 per fault.
3. Volkswagen Golf (2020-present)
Reliability rating 82.2%
Most common faults: sat-nav/infotainment 16%, non-engine electrics 10%, 12-volt battery 7%, bodywork 6%, engine 5%, engine electrics 5%, hybrid battery pack 3%, brakes 3%
Average repair cost: 82% £0, 7% £1-£100, 11% up to £1500 or more
Typical time off road: 44% more than a week, 27% one day or less
The latest, eighth-generation Golf remains a popular choice because it has tidy handling, a comfortable ride and punchy yet frugal engines. The 1.5 TSI 150 petrol version is our top recommendation for private buyers because it's affordable to buy and run, while the plug-in hybrid, with its low emissions, is a great company car option.
However, multiple faults, slow repairs and high bills keep the Golf near the bottom of the family car class for the second consecutive year. Overall, 35% of the cars we were told about went wrong. Problems included faulty infotainment and other electrical systems, plus 12-volt battery and engine issues.
Although 27% of faults were remedied in a day or less, 30% of affected cars were off the road for up to a week, and 43% took even longer to fix. While 82% were fixed for free, 12% cost up to £1000 and some cost more than £1500 to put right.
Reliability rating 83.8%
Most common faults: sat-nav/infotainment 35%, 12-volt battery 5%, battery pack 5%, gearbox 5%
Average repair cost: 91% £0, 9% £1500 or more
Typical time off road: 73% more than a week, 18% one day or less
The Leon is often overlooked for its better-known sibling, the Volkswagen Golf, but it's well worth considering if you're after a family hatchback that's great value and involving to drive. Our favourite version is the 128bhp 1.5-litre TSI 130 petrol, though, because it's pretty punchy, with a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds, and economy of up to 51mpg.
However, like the Golf, the Leon has been troubled by a high proportion of issues with its infotainment system. Owners told us 45% of their Leons went wrong, and 35% of the issues related to the infotainment. It's good to see that Seat covered the cost of almost all remedial work, but not so encouraging that almost three-quarters of the affected cars were out of action for more than a week.
5. Ford Focus (2018-2025)
Reliability rating 87.3%
Most common faults: non-engine electrics 13%, 12-volt battery 11%, bodywork 9%, sat-nav/infotainment 9%, brakes 5%, engine electrics 5%, gearbox 4%
Average repair cost: 97% £0, 3% £301-£500
Typical time off road: 42% more than a week, 24% one day or less
The Focus is one of the most popular and best-known family cars. It's not only practical and affordable, it also has a strong reputation as a keen driver’s car, with agile, engaging handling that can easily raise a smile. The fourth-generation model upholds this tradition with superb handling, powerful yet economical engines and a roomy interior.
Electrical issues and problems with the 12-volt battery were the main bugbear of the 28% of Focus owners who told us their cars had gone wrong. The car maker paid for almost all of the necessary fixes, and its technicians got 24% of cars back on the road in a day or less. Just over 40% were in the garage for more than a week, though.
6. Volkswagen ID 3 (2020-present)
Reliability rating 87.7%
Most common faults: battery pack 8%, non-engine electrics 8%, sat-nav/infotainment 7%, bodywork 5%, 12-volt battery 4%, engine electrics 3%
Average repair cost: 86% £0, 7% £301-£300, 7% £1001 to £1500 or more
Typical time off road: 46% more than a week, 34% one day to a week
When the ID 3 first went on sale, it was the first Volkswagen model designed from the outset to be purely electric. According to the brand, it's the spiritual successor to the Beetle and Golf. However, it faces stiff competition from other EVs, including the closely related Cupra Born, the Renault Megane E-Tech, and the significantly cheaper MG4.
It also suffered with a high percentage of problems early on, and, even now, 33% of owners have reported faults with their cars. While the sat-nav/infotainment issues that were prevalent have dissipated a fair bit, there are still complaints about the EV battery pack and other electrical systems. It's a shame to see that VW didn't fix a higher proportion of cars for free, and that nearly half of those affected were in the workshop for more than a week.
Reliability rating 89.3%
Most common faults: non-engine electrics 8%, sat-nav/infotainment 7%, interior trim 5%, battery pack 3%, fuel system 3%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 54% more than a week, 34% one day or less
The MG4 is one of the most affordable electric family cars — in fact, its starting price is about the same as an equivalent VW Golf. It has a great electric range, strong performance, a roomy interior and loads of standard kit. Although it’s not as much fun to drive as a Cupra Born, it has reasonable handling and a fairly comfortable ride.
The MG brand has suffered with reliability issues, but the MG 4's fault rate of 27% isn't as high as some rivals, and it's great to see that the car maker covered the cost of all remedial work. Although just over half of faulty cars were in the garage for more than a week, a third were fixed in a day or less.
8. Skoda Octavia (2020-present)
Reliability rating 89.5%
Most common faults: sat-nav/infotainment 20%, non-engine electrics 6%, 12-volt battery 5%, bodywork 5%, air-con 3%, gearbox 3%
Average repair cost: 82% £0, 7% £1-£100, 11% up to £1500 or more
Typical time off road: 50% one day or less, 41% more than a week
The Octavia is Skoda's best-selling model. In fact, it has been a is a pivotal model for the brand, ensuring it is considered by those looking for a car that combines value with plenty of space and practicality. The 1.5-litre TSI 150 petrol version with well-equipped SE L trim is our pick of the range.
Unfortunately, the model has been affected by the infotainment and electrical problems that have dented the ownership experience of many VW Group models over the past few years. Owners told us 29% of their cars went wrong, with 20% citing the infotainment system as the main culprit. Although the brand didn't pay for all remedial work, it did manage to get 50% of cars back on the road in a day or less,
9. Volkswagen Golf (2013-2020)
Reliability rating 90.7%
Most common faults: fuel system 8%, interior trim 8%, sat-nav/infotainment 8%, suspension 8%, engine 4%, engine electrics 4%, exhaust 4%
Average repair cost: 86% £0, 14% £1500 or more
Typical time off road: 54% one day to a week, 27% one day or less
The seventh-generation Golf is heralded as a great all-rounder, thanks to its wide range of engine options, comfortable ride and practical, solid-feeling interior. In fact, it's so well-regarded that used prices of nice examples command a premium over those for comparable Skoda Octavia models.
The older Golf isn't troubled by the infotainment and electrical issues of the newer model, but it does have a high fault rate — 42% of those who responded to our survey told us their car had suffered a fault. It's also a concern that some owners were left with hefty repair bills, but reassuring to note that all cars were fixed in less than a week and 27% were put right in a day or less.
10. Mazda 3 (2019-present)
Reliability rating 90.8%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 15%, bodywork 12%, engine 9%, engine electrics 3%, gearbox 3% interior trim 3%, non-engine electrics 3%
Average repair cost: 92% £0, 8% £201-£300
Typical time off road: 41% one day or less, 41% one day to a week
The Mazda 3 follows a different path to rivals in many areas, especially when it comes to engines. While other brands have moved towards smaller, turbocharged engines, the Mazda 3 sticks with larger, naturally aspirated units. The entry-level e-Skyactiv G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has plenty of low-down shove and is quieter on the move than many alternatives, so it’s the one we’d recommend.
While Mazda mostly has a strong reputation for reliability, the 3 does have a high proportion of issues - owners told us that 38% of their cars went wrong. The 12-volt battery, bodywork and engine are the main areas of concern. It's good to see that the car maker paid for almost all of the necessary work and parts, but a shame that some cars (41%) were out of action for up to a week.
Reliability of family cars aged up to five years old
To read the reliability data for other car classes follow these links:
Most and least reliable cars overall
Most reliable car brands
Most reliable small cars
Most reliable executive cars
Most reliable luxury cars
Most reliable small SUVs
Most reliable family SUVs
Most reliable large SUVs
Most reliable seven-seaters
Most reliable electric SUVs
Most reliable sports cars
Most reliable diesel cars
Most reliable petrol cars
Most reliable hybrid cars
How the research was carried out
The latest survey, compiled in association with MotorEasy, contains data from 29,967 car owners, and reveals the reliability ratings for 199 models from 31 different brands. Each rating is based on two crucial factors relating to every car that suffered a fault: how much each fault cost the car owner in repair bills, and how long the car was stuck in the workshop getting fixed.
To add extra depth to our ratings, we also asked car owners to tell us which component on their vehicle went wrong, asking them to choose from 14 different areas: air-con, battery, bodywork, brakes, engine or motor, engine or motor electrics, exhaust, fuel system, gearbox/clutch, interior trim, non-engine or motor electrics, sat-nav/infotainment, steering, suspension systems. This year we also added two specific categories for electric cars: charging and drive battery issues, to help us to build a better picture of EV ownership.
About the report author
Claire Evans has been a motoring journalist for more than 30 years, and has focussed on consumer issues for much of that time. She was the advice columnist for Carweek magazine in the 1990s, helping car owners with faulty cars get the right level of reparation from car makers.
She also spent six years working on motoring content for Which?, and it is here she oversaw the running of the charity's annual used car reliability survey.
Claire launched the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2017, and since then has helped thousands of buyers choose the most reliable new cars and SUVs, as well as the most dependable used cars.
