When it comes to purchasing a new car, it’s important to do your research, in order to establish what vehicles are worth your money. Understandably, this can be quite an overwhelming process, mainly due to the fact that there are thousands to choose from!
Within this guide, we will be taking you through the 10 most and least reliable car brands at this very moment in time. The following data has been decided on a range of factors, including repair claims and costs.
Least Reliable Car Brands
First off, let’s start with the least reliable car brands. You may be surprised to find some leading names sitting in this list of unreliable vehicles, proving that you should never make a purchase decision based on the brand name alone. Without further ado, here are the least reliable car brands as of current.
10. Land Rover
When it comes to driving off-road, Land Rover’s famous SUVs probably spring to mind as the most suitable vehicles for the job. While this is true in some aspects – Land Rover does make robust vehicles that can tackle many types of terrain – the repair costs may catch you out. In fact, it has been found that the average repair cost of a Land Rover currently sits at a whopping £1,300!
While we all try our best to look after our vehicles, sometimes, repairs are inevitable. And, with the possibility of repair costs being that high, you can wave goodbye to any holiday plans you had.
9. Porsche
As you work through this list, you may start to realise that there’s a link between premium car brands and their (lack of) reliability. The second most unreliable car brand is Porsche.
Research has shown that the average repair costs of a Porsche can set you back around £1,550. This is the highest of repair costs featured in this guide, making it no surprise that we had to rank Porsche so low. With that being said, however, research has also shown that Porsche vehicles are far less likely to break down. While this lowers your chances of having to pay such high repair costs, there’s no telling if you’ll be one of the lucky ones.
8. Jaguar
The third most unreliable car brand is Jaguar. While Jaguar’s vehicles are 13% more reliable than Land Rovers, once again, the repair costs are pretty high. When it comes to repairing a Jaguar, you could be looking at an average of £1,020 to get it fixed. Although this is a few hundred quid cheaper than the previous brands mentioned, don’t be fooled into thinking £1,020 is a cheap repair cost! When it comes to driving high-end cars, you can expect to pay high-end prices to get them fixed.
7. Chevrolet
Not all Chevrolet cars are unreliable – the Chevrolet Spark is actually one of the most reliable cars you can purchase, according to recent research. However, it has been found that many other Chevrolet cars don’t seem to perform as well. Because of this, the Chevrolet brand has received a 53% reliability rating, which is a whole lot lower than other mainstream car brands.
On top of this, the repair costs of Chevrolets are pretty high in comparison to how affordable the cars are to purchase. This is a huge factor when it comes to determining reliability, as you may not be getting your money’s worth. What may seem an affordable car to begin with, can lead you to some nasty repair bills further down the line.
6. Alfa Romeo
It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo’s aren’t seen as the most reliable of cars. They have incredibly high repair figures, proving to be the most susceptible to damage than any other car on this list. However, not all hope is lost, as repair costs for Alfa Romeo’s aren’t as steep as the previous brands mentioned. This means that, although the chances of needing repairs are high, you won’t have to spend a fortune resurrecting them.
Most Reliable Car Brands
On a more positive note, it’s time to discover what brands have made it into the most reliable top spots. This time around, you may be surprised to learn that the more reliable car brands are actually the most affordable. While expensive cars equate to expensive repairs, the following brands require cheaper parts, equating to lower costs. Without further ado, here are the top five most reliable car brands.
5. Hyundai
Hyundai cars have been awarded a 71% reliability rating, which is a huge improvement when compared to the unreliable cars listed above. This reliability rating was given due to the fact that Hyundai repair claims are pretty rare. And, if you do need to repair your Hyundai for whatever reason, you can expect to pay a reasonably respectful cost of £570. That’s almost half of what the brands in our unreliable list offer!
4. Smart
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but Smart cars certainly do live up to their brand name. These tiny cars have a reliability rating of 73%, which is mainly due to the fact that they are incredibly affordable to repair. The average repair cost of a Smart car sits at around £460. This isn’t surprising considering that they don’t use many parts to run in the first place!
3. Toyota
In third place, we have Toyota. This is where competition starts getting serious and reliability ratings start getting high.
Believe it or not, the Toyota brand has received a huge 80% reliability rating! If you’re looking for a car to get you from A to B, look no further than Toyotas. These cars are smooth to run and have very minimal operating flaws. Repair bills aren’t too steep either, sitting at an average of £600.
2. Lexus
So – what brand has found itself just shy of the top spot? It’s Lexus! Lexus cars have long been favored for their reliability – they are very durable cars that develop very few faults. This is why they have made it into second place with a reliability score of 87%.
It’s important to note that while Lexus cars are incredibly trustworthy, they aren’t always the cheapest to fix. Repair costs can take you anywhere up to £1,100, which is important to keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase a car or not. While it’s rare for a Lexus to let you down, it’s best to be prepared for these costs just in case.
1. Honda
It’s time to shine a light on the most reliable car brand – Honda! Endless amounts of data and brand comparisons have helped to conclude that Honda vehicles are the most reliable vehicles in every way, shape and form. While they received the same reliability rating (87%) as Lexus, Honda cars spend far less time in the garage getting repaired. Not only this, but they cost an average of £560 to fix, which is almost half what a Lexus will cost.
It’s clear to see that Honda deserved the top spot, but with many other reliable car brands listed, we hope you feel more comfortable when making your next purchase decision.