Most and least reliable used cars have been revealed

Published on 18 March, 2020

Japanese models dominate the reliability rankings

Overview

The most and least reliable used cars have been revealed, with the Lexus CT named as the UK's most reliable second-hand purchase, as part of new research by What Car?

More than 18,000 drivers took part in the survey, revealing how reliable their cars have been over the previous 12 months, the type of problems they’ve encountered and how much they cost to be repaired.

Japanese manufacturers dominate the top 10 table for most reliable vehicles, occupying seven out of the 10 positions. The Lexus CT was voted as the UK’s most reliable used purchase by owners, with a 99.5% reliability rating. Only 4% of CT owners reported a fault with their vehicle, with the battery the only area affected. The Suzuki Swift and Toyota Auris Hybrid came second and third.

At the other end of the reliability spectrum, the 2003-2013 Audi A3 diesel was voted as the least reliable car in the UK, with a score of 40.0%. More than a third (37%) of diesel A3s had a fault, and 22% of them were with the engine; around a third of bills cost between £500 and £1500 to fix. The Ford Focus diesel (2004-2011) and Opel Zafira (2005 – 2016) came second and third from the bottom.

Across all vehicles, a third of owners told What Car? their car had suffered a fault, with non-engine electrical issues most common, followed by suspension and brake woes. However, 19% of owners said the manufacturer picked up the repair bill under warranty.

The 10 most reliable used cars 

Make and Model 

What Car? reliability rating

Lexus CT (2011 - present)

99.5%

Suzuki Swift (2010 – 2017)

98.6%

Toyota Auris Hybrid (2013 – present)

98.5%

Honda Civic (2012 – 2017)

97.8%

Peugeot 107  (2005 – 2014)

97.8%

Lexus RX (2009 – 2016)

97.7%

Toyota RAV4 (2013 – 2019)

97.6%

Fiat Panda (2012 – present)

96.0%

Skoda Yeti diesel (2009 – 2017) 

96.0%

Honda CR-V (2012 – 2018)

95.9%

The 10 most unreliable used cars

Make and Model 

What Car? reliability rating

Audi A3 diesel (2003 – 2013)

40.0%

Ford Focus diesel (2004 – 2011) 

46.5%

Vauxhall Zafira (2005 – 2016)

51.7%

Audi A6 (2004 – 2011)

52.0%

BMW X5 (2007 – 2013)  

54.5%

Peugeot 3008 (2009 – 2017) 

56.1%

BMW 3 Series Coupe / Convertible (2006 – 2013)

57.0%

Renault Grand Scenic (2009 – 2012) 

58.1%

Volkswagen Golf diesel (2003 – 2009) 

59.4%

Mazda 6 (2007 – 2012) 

59.8%

Anthony Murphy

I just kept turning up and eventually they let me drive some shiny new cars.