The most reliable cars have to prove themselves in the workshop and in everyday life.
According to the statistics portal statista, german car buyers in 2015 have an average of 28.590 euros spent on a new car. For used vehicles, the Germans paid around 10.620 euros on the table. These are quite high sums.
When a buyer invests so much money in a new car, he naturally also wants to have to have something of the vehicle for a long time. In the best case scenario, it should reliably get the driver from A to B, without breakdowns and defects spoiling the fun of driving. But which car is really best and most reliable?
"the best and most reliable cars in the world come from germany!" even though import brands are catching up more and more, this widespread saying still has its justification. In the DEKRA Used Car Report, German carmakers took 18 out of 27 podium places.
In the endurance test of the magazine "AUTO BILD" the volvo XC 60 won. The SUV’s engine still shows after 100.000 kilometers still in top shape. Followed by the hyundai i30 and the audi A6.
Reliable cars are generally stable in value and do not show high wear and tear.
If you are looking for the best and most reliable cars, you need to be clear about one thing, where your requirements lie. No matter how reliable a small, zippy sports car may be, it would not be a good choice for families. On the other hand take a look at the car checks of well-known testing organizations and car magazines.
We can take the second point off your hands. In this guide, we clarify the following questions, among others: what is the best car brand? What are the best cars on the german market?? Which test winner there are in the different vehicle classes?
Best cars in various categories: the DEKRA used car report
Reliable used cars are rightly traded at a high price.
When it comes to buying a vehicle, many people are clear: "I need an affordable, reliable car." after all, the most beautiful, fastest or most practical passenger car is of little use if it is is constantly in the workshop, instead of getting its owner from A to B without any problems.
However, laymen in particular are often uncertain when it comes to recognizing the most reliable cars. The DEKRA used car report offers a comprehensive overview for those who are not familiar with the car market.
The basis for the results of the test organization’s investigation is the defects, within two years in about 15 million main inspections documented were. Damage for which the owner is usually responsible, such as worn tires, is not taken into account.
To find the most reliable cars the following assemblies examined:
- engine and environment
- Chassis and steering
- braking system
- Body, frame and interior
- electrics, electronics and lights
the most durable cars show above-average values in the test.
In order to ensure statistical significance and to be able to present only the best cars, only those vehicle models are included in the test which, during the evaluation period, have at least 1.000 pieces were examined.
Moreover, the evaluation is not based on the age of the vehicles, but on the number of defects according to the mileage. According to guido kutschera, member of the Board of Management of DEKRA automobil gmbh, much more decisive. Most reliable cars should still be reliable even at high mileages as few defects as possible have.
As winner of all classes goes to the repeated audi A6 from the used car report. This car has the DEKRA defect index (DMI) at a value of 94.6. The DMI is calculated from the proportions of cars that have no relevant defects and those that have significant defects. the closer the value is to the maximum of 100, the better the vehicle performs in the test.
Best cars from nine different vehicle categories you can see from the following table:
vehicle class winner
| mini / small car |
honda jazz |
| compact class |
BMW 1 Series |
| mid-size |
volvo S60 / V60 |
| upper middle class / luxury class |
audi A6 |
| sports car / convertible |
audi TT |
| off-road vehicle / SUV |
audi Q5 |
| van |
ford C-max / grand C-max |
| vans |
mercedes-benz vito / viano |
| transporter |
renault master |
What are the most reliable car brands?
The most reliable car brand in the DEKRA used car report – looking at the respective winners of the different categories – is audi. Three first-placed cars are produced by the ingolstadt carmaker. With BMW and mercedes-benz come three more best in class from germany.
Most reliable cars according to the "AUTO BILD" endurance test
Best cars: with the test winners, a breakdown happens rather rarely.
Another meaningful study that shows whether a car really deserves the designation "reliable" is the Endurance test by "AUTO BILD" magazine. Tested cars lay within one and a half to two years 100.000 kilometers back.
During this time the vehicle is put to the test in every conceivable situation. It has to prove itself both in city traffic, on the highway or in operation with a trailer.
Once the car has completed the mileage test, it is time for the complete dismantling of the car on the program. Not only the engine and the technology itself are examined, but also the wear and tear in the interior is documented.
In the driving operation is recorded among other things by the testers, whether it comes to breakdowns. engine or transmission damage naturally pulls the rating down sharply, also defective drive or functional parts as well as necessary workshop visits have a negative effect on the test rating.
Best cars have a good long term quality on. The body should still be in good shape, the engine should still be at full power and the gearbox does not show any leaks. The exhaust system, chassis and electrical system must also be largely free of defects in order for a good rating to be given.
Most reliable cars bring you safely to your destination.
Here are the top ten of the endurance test:
- Volvo XC 60
- hyundai i30
- Audi A6
- Ford focus
- Mazda CX-5
- Suzuki SX4 S-cross
- Kia cee’d
- Mercedes A 180
- Škoda octavia combi
It is noticeable: according to this test, the most reliable cars do not necessarily come only from germany. With mercedes and audi are only two german vehicle manufacturers in the top ten.
The asian carmakers continue to catch up. Hyundai and kia come from South Korea, while suzuki and mazda are based in japan. Czech manufacturer škoda, the u.s. brand ford and the swedish company volvo complete the top ten.
Most reliable cars sought? Then you better do without these models
The magazine "AUTO BILD" shows not only the most reliable and best cars. Also vehicles that buyers should steer clear of, are examined. With the renault kangoo, the chrysler PT cruiser, the fiat doblo, the ford ka, the renault megane, the merecdes M-class and the alfa romeo 147, it is advisable to be rather cautious when buying them.
42 thoughts on " most reliable cars in test – tips for all who value quality "
We have 3.5 years bought 2 new skoda yeti. Both EU models…1.2 tsi after 67.000km gearbox damage.Just about on goodwill…At 80.000km air conditioning line worn through and compressor defective..Then the clutch is smoked..!
My 2.0 tdi after software update very lame ? Then at 88.000km gearbox damage ? With clutch and DMF
exchanged.. Now we are pretty pissed at this processing…cheap bearings install…the customer notices it only after the warranty….Could co…. We can hardly get rid of these things…what affordable car lasts today? ?? Subaru..? Moves away from diesel ! At 50km to work simple away…! Just no 3 cylinder double turbo crap ! Greetings hardy
I drive an 18 year old volvo V40.This car has never been broken.
Mileage 238000 !
I have an 8 year old volvo S40, mileage 103000. Had to change the diesel particulate filter 3 times and has had engine problems several times. My conclusion: the earlier volvos were still of good quality, from the current volvo models I will leave in the future the fingers.
Was also always enough fuel additive E. Been present in the auxiliary tank?
But a clogged DPF has nothing to do with bad quality.. Sounds more like diesel in the city and short-haul operation, there clogs you every DPF&
Drive the car, don’t wear it
Andreas has a mitsubisi (yes this is the base of the V40) and thomas the most expensive version of a ford focus. That is just not comparable
My volvo S80 D5 2004 has now 405.000km and zero oil consumption except wear parts he has never had anything and he is certainly still good for the next 400.000km..had a 740 GLE with 830.000km and have given it away without major defects ….For me volvo is the best car in the world.
Buy a toyota and be happy. I myself drive a toyota avensis from 2006 and with 290.000km is still the first clutch/turbo/gearbox/shock absorbers in it – the cars just do what they were designed to do – they drive. The described problems do not exist there. Two of my colleagues have also switched from VW/skoda to toyota and since then very happy.
I can only join. My corolla e 12 1.6 petrol is now 15 years old. Has never been defective. Has now 198000 km run and except brakes and maintenance nix reinsteckt have to. Oh so we bought in 2005 as a year car. When I hear the whining of work colleagues and acquaintances what the so with VW, opel bmw and co experience I can only smile.My brother and my father also drive toyota and are also very satisfied.At best from the diesels one hears rarely good but they are depending on the year of PSA or BMW.
Hello christian,you are right ! I used to drive in the eighties and nineties only honda, and for some reason I then switched to VW passat and had since then no reasonable car more.
I also think that the Japanese and the Koreans build the better cars
VW passat 3BG 6 variant TDI 101 hp mileage 390000 kilometers, year 2004. 1. engine, 1. Transmission, 1. Clutch, 1. Exhaust, 1. wheel bearing, 1. Turbo, 1. Shock absorber………and runs and runs and runs (mileage up to 800000 are known)
only regular maintenance 1 x yearly approx. 30000 kilometers with necessary additional work (brakes, brake fluid, timing belt every 120000 kilometers). special repairs in 14 years of driving: 1 x brake caliper right, 1 x free wheel steering, 2 x axle boots, sensors and hose EGR valve, temperature sensor cooler.
Yes, after 14 years it slowly starts to rust, but never broke down (except for car battery drained after half a year – after recharging lasted 11 years).
Quality from audi. Q5? There you hear but quite different …(broken turbos, water pump and and and…)
too bad that the really good quality of the passat is coming to an end (discontinuation 2021)
if you know english watch the videos of scotty kilmer on youtube; he’s been fixing cars for 50 years and he doesn’t mince his words. When it comes to durability you can’t beat toyota and honda. Germans are overengineered, tinkered with and also therefore too expensive to repair. We don’t want to talk about french and italian (also jeep belongs to fiat-chrysler now). About US cars also not. Remains the asians. Renault has messed up the quality of nissan and will do the same now with mitsubishi. But also a lot of japanese cars are built for us europeans in cheap europe and this is also a bad criterion. My nissan qashqai 2007 and my mitsubishi eclipse cross 2018 are still directly manufactured in japan. They just have a different working setting. China will also catch up. problem is our lobby and their big influence everywhere, where german cars usually perform best.
I drive since the year 2011 a peugot 207 diesel 142000 km at the moment and have also had no real repairs until now. Yes a disc v. V-belt had to be changed because something was broken off. Conclusion peugot or. The PSA group builds in my opinion very good cars and the best engines.
Loy, that’s exactly how it is .
Honda civic bj 1998 305000km top
Bruno. Exactly . I also drive a honda civic year 2000. 250000km. Also top.
No problems with engine, gearbox, clutch, electrical and electronics.
A decent car does not have a 3-cylinder engine but always an even number of cylinders 4 or 6, because we are talking about longevity and reliability, and not about economy.
assembly model…(( audi A4 B7, bj. 2006 limo, 1.6 petrol engine:
13 years old, 125.000,-km run. In the last 3 years:
– ignition coil (small thing)
– clutch
– revs dropped again and again (from start)
– engine: 1. cylinder – no more pressure, 2. Cylinder – gets little pressure, 4. Cylinder – burns oil, like crazy..
Today sold with engine damage … Well… not expected from audi..
My next car will be mazda CX-5.
I drive the CX 5 2.5 l petrol, TOP vehicle&
Dacia gloomy prestige 1.2 tce 125 4×2
bj. 2015
my worst car i had in 40 years.
– after two years trunk full of water. Mechanic was gobsmacked about the bonding of the rear body, he said he has not seen anything like that and had me in suspicion I had screwed on it / was fixed on warranty.
– after three years steering column switch defective. Paid for it myself and fixed it. If you take a closer look at the parts and think about the fact that the whole car could be built in such a quality, you start to fear for your life.
– after three years the leather seats start to wear through and the backrest is tearing the nights.
– after two years timing chain defective, was sent home from the workshop with the words, "we hear there nothing, just keep driving". After three years then really defective and should now pay after warranty 3000, – for the repair itself. Here is the end, the car goes to the press, I am very disappointed in dacia, such a car is no longer in the house.
With this car they are obviously trying to compensate for the low price with repairs. I do not want to know what would happen to me at 100tkm. But I do not let it come so far!
With the Romanian auttomarke nothing else to expect.
My nissan 100 NX with 1.6 l engine and 90 hp has been repaired by me to 480.00 km driven with the first engine. At the time of sale it was still running fine.
Mercedes M from 2006. 220000 km. Front sway bars 40euro each. Rear shock absorbers, probably because of the 3to trailer. Rear door lock. rear brake discs renewed, second brake pads, front still original discs and pads.
…Driving a mazda 2 de bj.2009 , so far without significant problems ( km stand currently 268 000 ).
Have an opel astra BJ 2013 120 hp gasoline – am absolutely satisfied with it. 260000 km – only service nothing else
Hello drive a skoda superb 2015 facelift 2.0 tdi 4×4 dsg 200000km without problems very reliable low consumption just a superb vehicle☺️
Hello, drive for 11 years a fiat panda from 09/2009 never had problems except for the engine control, which has fiat and another workshop never get into the grasp. Now the engine control always lights up and when reading out comes info 2. Ignition coil. But it has been renewed before with the 1. Ignition coil.After reading the data I hardly drive a few meters and the sympol of the engine control lights up and the car doesn’t pull properly at a certain speed anymore.I don’t really want to invest any more money, if only because the garage can’t guarantee that the fault will be corrected when a new engine control unit is installed.
Driving mitsubishi lancer station 1,6 year 2004 as first owner
a petrol engine with 424 000 km without any problems worth mentioning.
Experience not really. A colleague at work drives n toyota aygo with 280000 as first owner. No big stuff been and has also thrilled me. Also the boxer engines from subaru have my trust ..
I have been driving a toyota avensis petrol for almost eight years, year 2004. I never take much care of my cars, oil, water, that’s it. Now after 15 years the water pump – the first one – broke down. That was all in almost eight years! I used to be a total passat fan. What they have already cost me in new axle boots alone, corresponded to the purchase value of the avensis. Not to mention the timing belts, water pumps, air conditioner defects, wishbones. And I don’t even want to talk about the unfair behavior of this company towards the german customers! The avensis has convinced me completely! Ugly as the night, but the most reliable thing I have ever driven!
Renault laguna 2, year 2003, am the first owner, 190.000 driven. Once changed timing belt and alternator. Everything else is top.
The toyota as the biggest VW competitor is not mentioned, is significant. For years toyota is pressed newspapers like AB and AMS.
Toyota is still on top. The hybrid drive is demonstrably the best, most reliable, longest-lasting and most robust concept on the market.
I wonder where then the satisfied customers of VW opel.& co probably are. I don’t know any and I really know many who dt. driving cars.
Toyota has convinced me as a brand absolutely. Also the third in a row is a real winner
With this information about buying a used car, i can make the right decision. It is not always easy to make a decision. Especially if you do not know exactly what the possibilities are.
I am looking for a used car to get from A to B faster. However, there is a myriad of choice on the internet and important when buying a car is trustworthiness. It can happen quickly that you run into the hands of a fraudster. Therefore, it is even more important to me that I can buy my future car reassured. Looking for a used car dealer, I came across this site.
Citroen C4 grand picasso 2009 diesel 2.0 with manual transmission. With sunroof aaaahh!! "here comes the sun, durururu. ". Have the great box with 0 km bought new and with 268000 km after 10 years grudgingly sold again.
With normal maintenance’s 0 problems with it. I even drove once 20 km with gasoline on an empty stomach instead of diesel, no noticeable decrease in performance after that. I do not think that the car world will ever again allow such a successful concept on the road.
Thank you for the contribution to the most reliable cars. My uncle was recently in the dealership because he is looking for a new car. Good to know that the evaluation of used cars is done by mileage and not by age.
I drive a passat 2,0 B6 TDI variant CR with 140hp and am at 353 tkm.
First clutch, dual mass flywheel, turbo, exhaust and engine. Until now actually only wear and that with caravan operation. Ok that has also only 1.3 t and that only in the last three years. But also in and through the alps to croatia. (the tailgate is starting to rust away) at 60 km one way to work I sometimes get 4.6 liters per 100km when driving by the book in flat land. ; )
Since before I drove an audi A4 B5 1.9 TDI, except for two air flow meters, a water pump otherwise also only wear and that to 437 tkm. I switched to passat because I needed a green sticker and the space available is better than the A4.
Audi 80 type 86 1.8 petrol to 287 tkm handbrake cable rusted due to lack of use, finally the cooling system was tight (due to lack of maintenance) and I needed a diesel anyway for a long commute to work.
Sometimes I just think that a lot of people can’t drive a car and, for example, stand in front of red lights with the clutch depressed or don’t warm up the car before they put it in gear.
Thanks for sharing this article about reliable cars. My car needs to be repaired. I will look for a garage that can fix my car.
Thanks for sharing these car tests. I would also like to buy a new car. I think it is important that the mileage is not so high.
I drive vw t4 timing belt change v-belts are yes 3 pieces with all the associated parts water pump umlengrollen etc otherwise only wear parts 2.5 liter diesel 88 hp 310003
and built in 2001
I also have the audi A6. I bought used and have never been to a garage before. But now I’m going to make an appointment and have everything checked. I was unsure about this when I bought the car. I have made a good deal.
I drive a chrysler PT limited 2,2 CRD year 2002 and am very happy after 19 years with the car.
Apart from the usual wear parts such as brake parts, battery, and front wheel bearings, nothing major has been done so far.
Chassis rubbers were replaced with PU bushings and the complete exhaust system converted to stainless steel.
The comonraildiesel from mercedes purrs like on the first day and with currently 150 000 km just run in.
The car was said to have many defects that I could not confirm in any way.
It runs and runs and shines like the first day, care is just everything until the high car age.
