What's the most reliable type of car?
Is a small hatchback more dependable than a luxury saloon? Will an MPV break down more than a sports car? We reveal the classes that are the least, and most, reliable...
8. Family SUVs
Reliability rating 91.6%
Some family SUVs had an exemplary reliability rating – best of the bunch was the Kia Sportage with a score of 97.8%. The only problem areas were the brakes, exhaust and sat-nav.
Diesel versions of the Nissan Qashqai let the side down the most with a lowly 79.% reliability rating. Petrols weren't much better, only managing 85.3%.
See the full reliability chart for family SUVs
Read our full Kia Sportage review or get a great deal on a Sportage
7. MPVs
Reliability rating 91.8%
The Mercedes B-Class only just pipped the Volkswagen Golf SV to first place in the MPV sector, winning by 0.1% with a score of 95.9%. B-Class owners told us a small proportion of cars had problems with the battery, fuel system and gearbox/clutch.
The Citroën C4 and Grand C4 Picasso sits at the bottom of the MPV league. However, its score of 86.2% isn't as bad as the least reliable cars in some other classes; a third of cars had a fault, with electrical issues the main concern.
See the full reliability chart for MPVs
Read our full Mercedes B-Class review or get a great deal on a B-Class
6. Executive cars
Reliability rating 92.0%
The Volvo V60 gained the top spot in the executive car class with a score of 99.3%. Only 6% of cars had a problem and bodywork was the only area concerned.
The Mercedes C-Class took the wooden spoon with a reliability rating of 83.1%. Although nearly a third of cars had a problem, most issues were minor involving electrical systems and bodywork.
See the full reliability chart for executive cars
Read our full Volvo V60 review or get a great deal on a V60
5. Coupés, convertibles and sports cars
Reliability rating 93.0%
These types of car are bought for fun, so they really need to be dependable. Best of the bunch was the BMW 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, with a rating of 97.0%. Just 8% of cars had a fault, and the only areas involved the exhaust system, exterior lights and non-engine electrics.
The latest version of the Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet aren't doing so well. They have a reliability rating of 86.2% with owners reporting issues with interior trim and the engine and its electrical systems.
See the full reliability chart for coupes, convertibles and sports cars
Read our full BMW 2 Series Convertible review or get a great deal on a 2 Series
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