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Most and least reliable used cars: family SUVs
We name the most dependable – and most troublesome – used cars aged from six to 20 years old, based on owners’ experiences
The most reliable family SUVs
1. Kia Sportage diesel (2016-2021)
Reliability rating 98.1%
A mix of minor and major faults affected 17% of current diesel Sportages. The two most common issues were with the bodywork and suspension, with a small percentage of reports of steering-related problems. Kia’s seven-year warranty meant all cars were fixed for free, and 75% were sorted out in a day or less.
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2. BMW X1 (2015-2022)
Reliability rating 94.7%
Only 15% of X1s had any troubles, and all cars could still be driven. All issues were resolved in less than a week and, best of all, even though the cars in our survey are out of the manufacturer warranty period, all remedial work was done at no expense to owners.
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3. Mercedes GLA (2014-2020)
Reliability rating 94.1%
The previous-generation GLA is ageing well: trouble was reported with only 17% of cars. Problem areas included the brakes, engine and interior trim. Two thirds of cars could still be driven and were fixed in less than a week, but the rest took more than a week to put right. Mercedes covered the cost of 67% of repair bills for faulty cars, and those who had to pay didn't have to find more than £500 to get things sorted.
Claire Evans
Updated: 22 May 2023
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The least reliable family SUVs
3. Dacia Duster (2013-2018)
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Reliability rating 68.2%
The Duster isn't proving robust as it ages. Owners told us 45% of their cars had a glitch, with the bodywork, brakes, engine and electrics the biggest headaches. Although 85% of cars could still be driven, only 23% were fixed in a day or less. While some were repaired in less than a week, 46% spent more than a week in the workshop. Dacia covered the cost of 8% of repairs, and 30% of owners paid out between £501 and £1500 to get their cars fixed.
2. Nissan Qashqai petrol (2007-2013)
Reliability rating 64.4%
Although petrol Qashqais suffered fewer faults than diesel models, their issues were more expensive and time-consuming to fix. Twenty-eight percent of petrol Qashqais went wrong, compared with 50% of diesels. The problem areas included the brakes, engine, electrics and suspension. Owners told us 56% of diesels were fixed in a day or less, but that drops to 38% for petrol models, and 39% of petrol models were in the garage for more than a week. While most petrol Qashqai repair bills were less than £500, 8% of owners paid out up to £1000. Most diesel repairs were less than £300 and 6% of owners had to find up to £1000.
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1. Range Rover Evoque (2011-2019)
Reliability rating 56.2%
With a 40% fault rate and problems in every category, owners of previous-generation Evoques can expect to be on first-name terms with repairers. The most frequently cited problem areas were the air-con, battery, bodywork, electrics, exhaust and gearbox/clutch. Forty-four percent of faulty cars were out of action for more than a week, and the only good news is that 34% of work was done for free and most repair bills were less than £500. An unlucky 8% of owners had to pay out more than £1500.
To read the data for other car classes follow these links:
Small cars here
Family cars here
Executive cars here
Luxury cars here
Small SUVs here
Large SUVs here
Luxury SUVs here
Electric and hybrid cars here
Sports cars here
MPVs here
Car brands here
Reliability of family SUVs aged six to 20 years old
Rank Make and model Score 1. Kia Sportage diesel (2016-2021) 98.1% 2. BMW X1 diesel (2015-2022) 94.7% 3. Mercedes GLA (2014-2020) 94.1% 4. Mitsubishi ASX (2010-2021) 92.3% 5. Hyundai iX35 P D (2009-2015) 89.1% 6. Audi Q3 diesel (2011-2018) 88.5% 7. Audi Q3 petrol (2011-2018) 88.1% 8. Kia Sportage diesel (2010-2016) 87.4% 9. Nissan Qashqai petrol (2007-2013) 80.8% 10. Volkswagen Tiguan diesel (2016-present) 74.7% 11. Renault Kadjar diesel (2015-present) 74.1% 12. Nissan Qashqai diesel (2014-2021) 74.0% 13. Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020) 73.0% 14. Volkswagen Tiguan (2007-2016) 71.7% 15. BMW X1 diesel (2009-2015) 68.6% 16. Nissan Qashqai diesel (2007-2013) 68.3% 17. Dacia Duster (2013-2018) 68.2% 18. Nissan Qashqai petrol (2014-2021) 64.4% 19. Range Rover Evoque (2011-2019) 56.2%
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