What are the most reliable car brands in 2020?

While cars do not have a best before date, there is no doubt that some models expire much earlier than others.

To understand which brands produce the most durable vehicles, which car? asked almost 13,000 British drivers about the reliability of their engines – including those up to 20 years old.

In the study, manufacturers are rated from best to worst, with Japanese and Korean manufacturers dominating the top performers – and Land Rover lagging behind the pack.

The consumer website and magazine surveyed a total of 12,892 car owners earlier this year.

Each driver was asked if their vehicle had made a mistake in the past 12 months, how long it had not been on the road, and how much the repair cost.

With its own algorithm What Car? The feedback has been compiled to give a unique percentage for the reliability rating for each model.

The data is then extrapolated and determines the order of the most reliable and least reliable brands with an overarching rating for each manufacturer.

The specified ranking lists apply to engines between five and 20 years of age.

Not only does this help existing owners understand what problems they might run into later, but it also gives used buyers an idea of ​​what makes and models they can rely on to keep them going for the foreseeable future.

Surprisingly, despite the age of the cars featured, 17 percent of all bugs highlighted by the owners have been fixed as free, while almost a fifth were fixed for less than £ 200.

Lexus has the best older car reliability record, compounded by the longevity of models like the CT200h pictured

Unfortunately, for five percent of owners, the cost of repairs exceeded £ 1,500; The most common problems related to the suspension, non-engine electronics, brakes and battery.

Electric and hybrid cars emerged as the most reliable models in general, with an average rating of 96 percent in their class.

The survey was particularly positive for Japanese and Korean brands.

Together they occupied eight of the ten best positions of the most reliable manufacturers, with Lexus having the lead with an average score of 96 percent.

However, this wasn’t good news for Nissan, which manufactures cars in Sunderland.

Of the 27 brands, it came 26th with a reliability rating of 70.4 percent, and the Qashqai SUV – both old and current – performed poorly with owners.

In fact, the survey found that 4X4s cause the most problems for drivers in general, with luxury SUVs in particular being problematic and expensive to keep driving, with an average reliability rating of 63.1 percent.

Land Rover continues to lag behind the pack as the owners of the brand, according to What Car? Give the lowest rating of 27 brands.

Unsurprisingly, given the production of expensive SUVs and known long-term reliability issues, Land Rover is the worst performing brand in the What Car? Survey.

Owners of the British manufacturer’s engines reported a number of costly bugs and repetitive problems, with the manufacturer receiving a reliability rating of just 66.3 percent.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport, for example, was the worst-rated used large SUV at just 51.4 percent.

Claire Evans, consumer editor at What Car? Said, “Our research shows the importance of doing your homework when buying a used car.

‘While some models make excellent used purchases, other new owners can set hundreds or even thousands of pounds back on repairs.

“With one in five older used cars failing in the past year, buyers can avoid some nasty pitfalls by simply spending a little time checking and researching their next used car.”

To help used buyers find out which models stand the test of time better than others, which car? Listed the top three models for reliability in ten vehicle categories, from small cars to premium SUVs.

Here are the most reliable and least reliable cars in each class …

Most and least reliable models in every vehicle category

USED ​​SMALL CARS

MOST RELIABLE

The 2011-2017 Kia Picanto is the most reliable used small car

1. Kia Picanto (2011-2017): 98.5%

2. Honda Jazz (2008 – 2014): 98.0%

3. Mini hatchback gasoline (2014 – present): 97.3%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

This Vauxhall Corsa is the least reliable model with a 73% reliability rating

1. Opel Corsa (2005 – 2014): 73.0%

2. Headquarters Ibiza (2008 – 2017): 82.0%

3. Ford Fiesta Diesel (2008-2017): 82.3%

USED ​​FAMILY CARS

MOST RELIABLE

The recently replaced Seat Leon is the most reliable used family car

1. Seat Leon Diesel (2013 – 2020): 98.7%

= 2. Volvo V40 (2012 – 2019): 95.6%

= 2. Honda Civic (2012-2017): 95.6%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The Skoda Octavia, introduced 16 years ago, is proving to be the least reliable

1. Skoda Octavia (2004 – 2013): 54.4%

2. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2005 – 2012): 56.3%

3. Volkswagen Golf Diesel (2009 – 2013): 74.9%

USED ​​SMALL AND FAMILY SUVS

MOST RELIABLE

Audi’s previous generation Q3 SUV has been rated as the most reliable used small SUV

1. Audi Q3 (2011 – 2018): 96.5%

2. Vauxhall Mocha Petrol (2012-2019): 95.2%

3. Mini Countryman (2010-2017): 87.1%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The original Nissan Qashqai has the worst reliability record of any older small SUV

1. Nissan Qashqai (2007-2014): 45.6%

2. Nissan Qashqai (2014 – today): 46.3%

3. Volkswagen Tiguan (2007 – 2016): 61.0%

USED ​​LARGE SUVS

MOST RELIABLE

The Honda CR-V 2012-18 has an impeccable reliability record

= 1. Honda CR-V (2012 – 2018): 100.0%

= 1. Toyota RAV4 (2013 – 2019): 100.0%

3. Toyota RAV4 (2006 – 2012): 95.7%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

Land Rover’s relatively new Disco Sport is a disappointing owner

1. Land Rover Discovery Sport (2014 – present): 51.4%

2. Ford Kuga: (2008 – 2013) – 81.9%

3. Volvo XC60 (2008 – 2017): 87.5%

USED ​​SPORTS AND LUXURY SUVS

MOST RELIABLE

The big BMW X5 2013-18 has the best reliability record of any used luxury SUV

1. BMW X5 (2013 – 2018): 86.1%

2. Range Rover Sport (2013 – today): 76.5%

3. Volvo XC90 (2002 – 2015): 75.0%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The Porsche Macan is problematic for owners, says What Car?

1. Porsche Macan (2014 – today): 40.4%

2. BMW X5 (2007 – 2013): 42.6%

3. Land Rover Discovery (2004-2017): 45.7%

USED ​​EXECUTIVE CARS

MOST RELIABLE

Ford’s much overlooked current Mondeo has a 97.7% reliability rating

1. Ford Mondeo (2014 – today): 97.7%

2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 – today): 93.9%

3. Mazda 6 (2013 – now): 93.4%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The old Passat from VW, which was launched 15 years ago, is slowly showing its age

1. Volkswagen Passat (2005 – 2015): 57.9%

2. Mazda 6 (2007 – 2012): 63.5%

3. Ford Mondeo (2007-2014): 64.8%

USED ​​LUXURY CARS

MOST RELIABLE

The previous generation Mercedes E-Class is the best-used luxury car

1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 – 2016): 94.0%

2. BMW 5 Series (2010 – 2017): 82.6%

3. Jaguar XJ (2003-2009): 82.0%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

According to the ranking, the earlier E-Class is not doing as well as its successor

1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2002 – 2009): 74.9%

2. Jaguar XF (2007-2009): 76.5%

3. Audi A6 (2011 – 2018): 76.7%

USED ​​ELECTRIC AND HYBRID CARS

MOST RELIABLE

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid may be nearly a decade old, but it’s still going strong

1. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011 – 2020): 100.0%

2. Lexus CT (2011 – today): 98.0%

3. Lexus IS (2013 – today): 97.6%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a popular, but also the least reliable, used hybrid

1. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014 – present): 87.3%

2. Nissan Leaf (2011-2017): 88.4%

3. Lexus RX (2009-2016): 96.8%

USED ​​MPVS

MOST RELIABLE

The Ford C-Max, which has been commercially available since 2011, has proven reliability

1. Ford C-Max (2011 – today): 91.3%

2. Vauxhall Meriva (2010-2017): 83.0%

3. BMW 2 Series Active / Gran Tourer (2002 – 2015): 78.3%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

This generation of Zafira is notorious for fires and generally poor reliability

1. Opel Zafira (2008 – 2015): 60.6%

2. Citroen Grand C4 Picasso (2014 – now): 61.7%

3. Volkswagen Touran (2003 – 2015): 63.3%

USED ​​CONVERTIBLE, COUPLES AND SPORTS CARS

MOST RELIABLE

The Boxster and the Cayman of the previous generation have an almost flawless record

1. Porsche Boxster / Cayman (2012 – 2016): 94.7%

2. BMW Z4 (2009 – 2017): 94.1%

3. BMW 4 Series Coupé / Cabrio (2014 – today): 93.9%

AT LEAST RELIABLE

The 997 generation 911 is getting longer and showing its age

1. Porsche 911 (2004 – 2011): 71.9%

2. BMW 6 Series Coupé / Cabrio (2011 – 2018): 73.7%

3. Porsche Boxster / Cayman (2004 – 2012): 86.5%