Motoring magazine What Car? has released their annual Reliability Survey. The survey asks approximately 22,000 owners of cars up to five years old if their vehicles encountered any issues within the last 24 months, and if so, what type of fault it was, how long the car was off the road and how much the repair bill was. This gives each vehicle a scoring percentage; the closer to 100%, the better the reliability.
We have compiled a rundown of the top 10.
How Is The Data Calculated?
The What Car? Reliability Survey gathers insights from UK car owners. It focuses on vehicle faults experienced over the past 24 months, covering aspects such as the nature of the fault, repair costs, and time spent in the workshop. This approach allows for the creation of a unique reliability rating for each model and brand, emphasising the impact of these faults in terms of inconvenience and expense rather than just their frequency.
This year's survey includes data from 178 models up to five years old across 32 brands. In its detailed analysis of car reliability, the survey differentiates between petrol, diesel, and hybrid versions of each model, provided there is enough data. This distinction helps in offering a more comprehensive understanding of each vehicle's reliability.
10. Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
The 2016-2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid stands out in the family car category with a low fault rate of 3%. The main issues were with bodywork and sat-nav/infotainment, but most cars were back on the road in a day or less, with costs covered by Hyundai. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid scored 99.2% in the survey
9. BMW iX3
The electric BMW iX3 is proving more dependable than its petrol and diesel counterparts, with a fault rate of only 6%. Issues were mainly with the sat-nav/infotainment system and were resolved quickly at no cost. The BMW iX3 got an excellent score of 99.3%
8. Lexus UX
Though the smallest SUV from Lexus, the Lexus UX is highly reliable. Only 3% of owners reported issues, mainly with the sat-nav/infotainment system, which took more than a week to fix, covered by Lexus. The Lexus UX received a score of 99.3%
7. Toyota Yaris
The 2011-2020 Toyota Yaris is slightly more robust than its successor. Only 3% had issues, specifically with the 12-volt battery, and were fixed for free on the same day. The 2011-2020 also received a score of 99.3%
6. Suzuki Ignis
The Suzuki Ignis, a small SUV with hybrid technology, is remarkably durable. Only 5% had gearbox/clutch problems, all fixed quickly and for free. The Suzuki Ignis came 6th in the survey with a score of 99.4%
5. Lexus NX
With a score of 99.4%, the current Lexus NX is a top choice for a plug-in hybrid, offering strong performance and reliability. Only 5% of cars had issues, mainly with electrical systems, all repaired for free within a day.
4. Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is the most reliable small hatchback, with a score of 99.5% and only 4% of owners reporting issues, mainly with interior trim, all resolved swiftly and at no cost.
3. Lexus NX
The previous-generation Lexus NX is highly dependable, with only 2% of cars having issues, all of which were quickly resolved under warranty. This 2014-2021 model received a score of 99.8%
1= Ford Mustang Mach-E
Sharing the top spot, with a perfect score, is the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E. It stands out as a reliable electric SUV, with owners reporting no issues in the first two years of ownership.
1= BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) tops the list with a perfect reliability score. Owners reported no glitches, making it an excellent choice for a dependable secondhand car. This includes both petrol and diesel models.
Whether you're in the market for a second-hand sports car or a family car, this list serves as a valuable guide, helping you make an informed decision for a worry-free driving experience. Remember, a reliable car not only provides peace of mind but also ensures lower maintenance costs and a better overall ownership experience.
