Car Reliability over the past decade

[davewilson]

OFFICIAL: YOU CAN'T BEAT JAPANESE CAR RELIABILITY

Japanese manufacturers have dominated a poll of the Top 100 most reliable used cars over the past decade.

The list, compiled by independent mechanical breakdown insurer, Warranty Direct, found that every car in the Top 10, and an amazing 16 out of the Top 20, were Japanese models. The Honda Accord was at number one.

Models were ranked according to the frequency of failure and based on a database of over 55,000 vehicles. Last year, over 7.5m Britons spent £25bn buying a used car - nearly seven times the number of people who bought a new car privately. 
 
 Table Showing The Top Ten Most Reliable Used Cars according to Warranty Direct
Pos Model Used car expert commentary
       
 1 Honda Accord A classy package, well put together and feels more special than the average family car. Superb engines and value for money.
 2 Subaru Forester Not quite an off roader, much more than an estate with a sporty edge, making it the perfect combination. Great all round buy.
 3 Mazda MX-5 Blueprint for the modern roadster with sweet handling and engines to match. Extremely easy to live with.
 4 Mitsubishi Carisma Despite the name, not that interesting to look at or drive, but that's not the point. Here is a no-nonsense hatchback that won't let you down.
 5 Toyota Yaris Superminis don't come better. Bags of room and perky engines. Probably the best small car buy.
 6 Honda Civic Solid build quality and good engines are just part of the appeal, the Civic is one of the most spacious small cars around. Great value.
 7 Nissan Almera A dull package, but that's no reason to dismiss the Almera which is practical and perfect for the smaller family who need a big boot and utter reliability.
 8 Honda CR-V Proof that you don't need an XXXL 4x4. Here is a four-wheel drive estate that is flexible, easy to drive and own.
 9 Toyota RAV4 So few four-wheel drives are fun to drive. This car is suitably sporty, but very practical. Expensive used buy but worth it.
 10 Nissan Micra The driving school favourite. Tough, fairly roomy, but with its light controls is easy to steer around town. 
 
 
 
 The highest placed non-Japanese model was the British built Jaguar X-Type in 13th with the mighty German automotive industry first appearing at number 25 with the sporty executive Mercedes-Benz SLK according to Warranty Direct.

Used car expert, James Ruppert says: "QUOTE"

Volvo's S/V40 was the highest placed Swedish manufacturer in 15th, with the nation's most popular manufacturer, Ford, delivering its best ranked model, the Ka, in 22nd. Hyundai's Lantra was the pick of the Koreans and the Citroen Xsara was the best-placed French model at number 26.

"Obviously reliability is not the main reason why someone might choose one model over another, but it is still an important consideration for the majority," says Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct.

"However, used car buyers are considerably more cautious. Japanese models may not be the most charismatic but you're unlikely to spend a great deal of money and time in the garage keeping it on the road."

The full Top 100 Most Reliable Cars Of The past ten years can be viewed by visiting www.reliabilityindex.co.uk

 
 
 
 Editor notes

Launched in 1997, Warranty Direct was the first direct personal Warranty Company operating in the UK. As a privately owned insurance intermediary, the firm operates within the automotive and household electrical markets. Its Reliability Index is featured in What Car? Magazine.

All Warranty Direct policies are underwritten by Cassidy Davis, a provider of specialist personal lines insurance. Through the unique licences held by Lloyd's, they are able to offer products in over 60 countries across the world. In addition, Cassidy Davis policyholders benefit from the financial security provided by the Lloyd's market.


The Warranty Direct Top 100 Most Reliable Used Cars Of The Past Decade
 
 
  Pos Model
     
 11 Lexus IS 200
 12 Mazda 626
 13 Jaguar X-Type
 14 Toyota Landcruiser
 15 Volvo S/V40
 16 MINI (BMW)
 17 Suzuki Vitara
 18 Mazda 323
 19 Toyota Carina E
 20 Saab 9-5
 21 Lexus LS400
 22 Ford Ka
 23 Rover 45
 24 Hyundai Lantra
 25 Mercedes SLK
 26 Citroen Xsara
 27 Ford Cougar
 28 Subaru Impreza
 29 Skoda Octavia
 30 Audi A4
 31 Nissan Primera
 32 Toyota Avensis
 33 Volvo 850
 34 Vauxhall Corsa
 35 Seat Toledo
 36 Volkswagen Golf
 37 Daewoo Lanos
 38 Fiat Brava
 39 Hyundai Coupe
 40 Mitsubishi Shogun
 41 Rover 25
 42 Mercedes CLK
 43 Fiat Marea
 44 Ford Focus
 45 Peugeot 106
 46 MG MG TF
 47 BMW Z3
 48 Hyundai Accent
 49 Volkswagen Polo
 50 Fiat Punto
 51 Vauxhall Zafira
 52 Mercedes C-class
 53 Volvo S60
 54 Toyota MR2
 55 Mazda Xedos 6
 56 Ford Puma
 57 Vauxhall Astra
 58 Vauxhall Omega
 59 Chrysler Neon
 60 Audi A2
 61 Ford Fiesta
 62 Ford Mondeo
 63 Vauxhall Corsa
 64 Citroen Saxo
 65 BMW 3 Series
 66 Vauxhall Vectra
 67 Isuzu Trooper
 68 Mercedes M-Class
 69 Subaru Legacy
 70 Rover 400
 71 Fiat Ulysse
 72 Mercedes E-Class
 73 Renault Clio
 74 Toyota Celica
 75 Peugeot 306
 76 Peugeot 406
 77 Volvo S70
 78 Rover 75
 79 Daewoo Matiz
 80 Peugeot 206
 81 Mazda MX-3
 82 Vauxhall Tigra
 83 Seat Ibiza
 84 Peugeot 106
 85 Renault Megane
 86 Peugeot 406
 87 Saab 9-3
 88 Audi A3
 89 BMW X5
 90 Mercedes S-class
 91 Toyota Corolla
 92 Seat Alhambra
 93 BMW 5-series
 94 Daewoo Nubira
 95 Alfa Romeo 145
 96 Saab 900
 97 Mazda MX-6
 98 Jaguar S-Type
 99 Daewoo Leganza
 100 Porsche Boxster
 
The Stig

[cosworth151]

I noticed the Toyota TF106, Honda RA106 or Super Aguri SA06 didn't make it.

We had a general manager at my company for a while that got nothing but Japanese vehicles. None of them lasted 6 months. I'll keep my company Fords. I put an average of 1/4 million miles on them in two and a half years, then we donate them to a church or some other local charity. They just keep right going.

[davewilson]

It is great that you are giving these cars to good causes.....

The Stig

[Wizzo]

Yes I agree, I don't think I have ever heard of a company doing such a thing in the UK.

Top Marks 

[romephius]

There are companies doing similar things here in Australia, none donating cars near me, but the mine I am contract manager for, have their computer workstations on a 12 month rotation, all old pc's are cleaned and donated to schools in the region.  It's great seeing companies giving back to the communities that support them.

[cosworth151]

We get a bit of a tax write-off for the donations. Chuck, the guy who owns this joint, is a small town boy who made good and didn't forget where he game from. He does a lot for local charities.

By the way, that Canon didgital SLR camera of mine that we were talking about a while back - the camera body was a gift from him for my 20 year anniversery with the company!