In the UK’s biggest car reliability survey (http://www.which.co.uk/
However, the Swindon-made Honda Civic (post-2006) falls well short of the brand’s usual reliability standards. It languishes in joint-bottom spot (http://www.which.co.uk/
It’s not great news for British**** car manufacturers either: Land Rover’s reliability is very poor - joint bottom of the table (http://www.which.co.uk/
Contrary to popular belief, the expensive German marques of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz all have average reliability scores, while Volkswagen is rated as poor. The popular Volkswagen Passat (post-2005) has the joint-lowest reliability score (with the Citroën C5) – 80 per cent - in the large cars category.
Richard Headland, Editor, Which? Car, says:
"Japan continues to show the rest of the world how to make consistently reliable cars, although the new Honda Civic shows they’re not infallible. Some British-built cars, on the other hand, don’t exactly run like clockwork. Land Rover, in particular, needs to raise its game."
- Ends –
Notes to editors
The full article “Reliability Uncovered” appears in Which? Car magazine. For further information, the full article, a copy of the magazine or an interview, please contact Martin Chapman.
Which? Car is free to Which? members and also on sale at Sainsbury’s for £3.99 from 20th June 2008.
*During January to February 2008, Which? Car survey acquired data for 89,762 cars, making it the biggest and most detailed car reliability survey in the UK.
**Survey questions covered breakdowns (classed as ‘something that leaves you unable to drive the car’), faults (‘which required a visit to the dealer for remedial work’) and niggles (‘less urgent breakages or failures’). The Brand Reliability Index uses statistical analysis to group makes into reliability bands based on breakdowns, faults and niggles. The survey includes cars up to eight years old, so it’s a good indicator of ‘whole life’ reliability. The overall average brand reliability index score is 78%.
Brand Reliability Index: Honda, Japan (85 per cent); Toyota, Japan (84 per cent); Daihatsu, Japan (83 per cent); Lexus, Japan (83 per cent); Mazda, Japan (83 per cent); Subaru, Japan (83 per cent); Suzuki, Japan (83 per cent); Hyundai, Korea (80 per cent); Mitsubishi, Japan (80 per cent); Porsche, Germany (80 per cent); Mini, UK (78 per cent); Nissan, Japan (78 per cent); Ford, USA (78 per cent); BMW, Germany (78 per cent); Skoda, Czech Republic (78 per cent); Kia, Korea (78 per cent); Proton, Malaysia (78 per cent); Mercedes Benz, Germany (78 per cent); Audi, Germany (78 per cent); Jaguar, UK (78 per cent); Vauxhall, UK (75 per cent); Citroën, France (75 per cent); Volvo, Sweden (75 per cent); Volkswagen, Germany (75 per cent); Peugeot, France (75 per cent); Smart, Germany (75 per cent); Chevrolet, USA (75 per cent); Daewoo, Korea (75 per cent); Jeep, USA (75 per cent); Saab, Sweden (73 per cent); Seat, Spain (73 per cent); MG, UK (73 per cent); Alfa Romeo, Italy (73 per cent); Rover, UK (70 per cent); Fiat, Italy (69 per cent); Renault, France (68 per cent); Land Rover, UK (67 per cent); Chrysler/Dodge, USA (67 per cent).
***Model reliability scores are based on cars up to two years old. For the full lists of model reliability scores, contact Martin Chapman.
****Car manufacturing is a global business, but Which? bases ‘nationality’
The Which? Car podcast, discussing all the latest results, can be downloaded at www.which.co.uk/
