EXCLUSIVE The 10 most reliable older cars that are cheap and dependable - and the lemons to dodge

Daily Mail​

a day ago

For drivers on the hunt for a reliable car, there's no need to spend big on a brand new model.
There are plenty of cheap older motors that provide hugely dependable at a fraction of the price.
For less than £3,000, you can pick up a second-hand motor between 10 and 15 years old with a stellar track record for barely suffering problems, rarely breaking down and being cheap, easy and quick to fix.
We reveal which older motors offer near fault-free ownership, according to Britons who currently drive them daily.
Exclusive data provided by Which? from its annual car survey has named 10 ageing models with five-star reliability ratings - and we can tell you what percentage of owners reported faults and breakdowns, and how many days their vehicles spent off the road being repaired last year.
From city cars to roadsters and large SUVs, there's an option for every driver on the hunt for a second-hand vehicle they can truly count on.
Michael Passingham, senior researcher at the consumer group, said it is hybrid cars that dominate the list of most reliable 10 to 15-year-old motors.
'Why do these cars perform so well? One reason could be that the hardest part of a car's life – starting and pulling away – are mostly handled by the small electric motor,' he explains.
'These motors have fewer moving parts than combustion engines and, along with sturdy main battery packs, really don't have to work all that hard.
'The downside is that our data shows a much higher failure rate of the 12V battery (the small battery all cars have) on full hybrids; this component is worked hard so it pays to buy a quality one and get it replaced every five years or so.'
He says the reliability of 'full' hybrids (also referred to as 'conventional' and 'self-charging' hybrids) bodes well for the future, with new examples given a five-year stay of execution from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars.
This was confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer in April when he relaxed electric vehicle sales targets to support manufacturers in the immediate wake of US President Donald Trump announcing increased tariffs on all foreign car export.
'While plug-in hybrids are one of the least reliable engine types according to our data, full hybrids should provide owners with fuss-free motoring for years to come,' Michael said.
So which examples of 10 to 15-year-old cars are the most dependable? Here's the countdown...
10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019)
Average used price: £4,650
The Auris - replaced by the Corolla in 2019 - was for almost two decades Toyota's family hatchback rival to the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf. With the choice of hybrid drivetrains, it was considered one of the greener options, as well as one that carrying a strong reliability background.
And it appears the second-generation Auris - sold between 2012 and 2019 - continues to provide plenty of dependability.
With fewer than three in ten owners saying their Auris had a fault in the previous 12 months, its proving to be a car you can count on, even if some models are over a decade old.
While just 7 per cent of drivers said their Toyota broke down, an average of 5.3 days off the road for repairs is higher than the rest of the cars in this list..
For around £4,650, there aren't many practical family motors that can match this level of reliability for so few pounds sterling.
9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014)
Average used price: £2,800
Launched in 2009, the Suzuki Alto was incredibly cheap. Though for a reason. This supermini was sparse on equipment, luxuries and comfort, with the aim to sell an affordable model that appealed to the masses. Produced in conjunction with Nissan - on a shared platform with the Pixo - it was budget friendly even when new.
With such simplicity comes lots of reliability, it would seem. With just a quarter of owners saying their 10 to 15-year-old Altos had developed faults, it's proving remarkably robust.
Just 1 per cent of drivers said their Alto broke down in the 12-month period, and just 2.6 days on average off the road for repairs is testament to how easy to fix these cars are.
With used prices typically around £2,800, this is the cheapest choice from the list. What might put you off is its three-star EuroNCAP crash rating scored in 2009. By today's standards, it's probably not the most secure motor you can buy.
8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020)
Average used price: £3,100
For more than 25 years, the supermini typically recommended to drivers wanting a dependable small car has been Toyota's Yaris. Its durability has been one of its biggest selling points since the Mk1 model arrived in 1999, and this third-generation variant available new between 2011 and 2020 has carried on these traits.
The Yaris has always been practical and roomy. With the addition of hybrid drivetrain, it's one of the most economical too.
Less than one in four owners of this generation of Yaris said they had experienced a fault, and just 6 per cent a breakdown. And just 3.1 of the 365 days of the year off the road isn't too bad for a car that's up to 14 years old.
With prices now just over £3,000, this is very good option.
7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016)
Average used price: £3,500
The second model from Suzuki to make the list of reliable older motors is the 2010-2016 Swift supermini.
Criminally overlooked, the Swift is a practical package that for years has offered affordable motoring. It's also very good to drive, with a well-balanced chassis and some impressive engine options.
A fault count of 27 per cent of owners in the previous 12 months isn't as high as others in this list, though with 8 per cent of cars breaking down, it has required the services of the AA, RAC, Green Flag and the likes more so than any other car in this top 10.
However, spending just 1.4 days off the road for repairs in the year-long period shows the Swift is easy to put right. And with prices as low as £3,500, this is a great option for new drivers looking for a dependable vehicle.
6. BMW X1 (2009-2015)
Average used price: £5,200
Luxury SUVs are rarely described as reliable, especially as they get older. But the first-generation BMW X1 appears to be bucking that trend, according to Which?...
It's incredibly rare for the words 'luxury SUV' and 'reliability' to be used together. Expensive large models can often mean lots of problems and expensive repair bills, but it seems BMW's smallest SUV is bucking that trend.
The first-generation X1 launched in 2009 and on sale until 2015 is one of the most reliable older family cars, according to Which?'s latest poll.
While a third of owners encountered a fault or two in the last year of driving, just 7 per cent said their Beemers broke down. And with an average time off the road of 2.1 days, the X1 is being fixed quicker than other models higher in this list.
As is the case for ageing SUVs, there's been plenty of depreciation as drivers steer clear to avoid potentially high running costs. But prices of £5,200 combined with this reported steely robustness makes it a strong used car candidate.
5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019)
Average used price: £4,500
Skoda discontinued its city car, the CitiGo, just over five years ago, but it's still one of the best options if you want a brilliant little runaround that's easy to manoeuvre around town, is impressively frugal on petrol and - in most instances - free to tax.
The sister model to the Seat Mii and VW Up!, these three cars were mechanically identical and produced in the same factory. But the Skoda was always the cheaper option - though typically provided a little extra equipment to satisfy its generally older customer base.
Five-door models are surprisingly roomy, the low insurance group means affordable premiums for all ages and - at around £4,500, values are now invitingly cheap. As are repair bills, it would seem.
Just over one in five CitiGo owners told Which? their car had developed an issue in the previous 12 months, with only 5 per cent suffering breakdowns. Time off the road being fixed is nearly 3 days on average.
4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015)
Average used price: £3,800
Given the more advanced age of the typical Which? member, the Honda Jazz is unsurprisingly owned my thousands and loved eternally. But there's very good reason for why Honda's supermini is popular among a certain demographic.
Easy to drive, extremely roomy, packed with clever features (like its 'Magic Seat' design) and cheap to run, there's a lot to love about the Jazz. And it's also performed incredibly well for reliability.
It is another five-star rated older motor for dependability. The second-generation car, sold from 2008 to 2015, might be over 10 years old now but is still going strong.
One in four owners reported a fault with their cars and the average time in the garage was 2.7 days being fixed by mechanics. Some 4 per cent of drivers said they'd suffered a breakdown in the previous 12 months, too, but it's still impressive for a small car of this vintage.
And with prices now below £4,000, the Jazz is a commendably cheap and reliable option.
3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015)
Average used price: £6,400
Which? members really love the RX. So much so, in fact, that they voted it the most satisfying car to own in 2024.
So, it should come as little surprise that robust reliability has factored into this decision.
Based purely on the hybrid-powered examples, just one in 16 owners of the 2009-2015 variant told the watchdog that their RX 450h had developed a problem over the 12 months prior.
Zero breakdowns were recorded by owners, while those who were forced to have their big Lexus SUVs repaired typically had to do without them for two days.
With average second-hand prices of this generation of RX down to around £6,400, this is a top candidate for a family car that's both dependable and relatively fuel efficient.
2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015)
Average used price: £3,800
Sports car and reliability are two words that rarely go together, but not if you're talking about the world's best-selling roadster of all time.
Mazda's MX-5 is iconic. Debuting way back in 1989, it is a staple of Britain's roads and continues to be loved by drivers today.
The model in question here is the third-generation car, which is proving hugely reliable still thanks to that bulletproof Japanese build quality that has carried the MX-5 for decades.
Not a single owner of this era of MX-5 reported a fault in the previous 12 months and only a quarter said they had to deal with faults.
Even when these did occur, drivers were typically without their cars for just 1.7 days while they were being repaired.
With prices as low as £3,820, this is both cheap and fun driving on a seriously small budget.
1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020)
Average used price: £7,300
The Lexus CT 200h was the Japanese marque's answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf in the medium-size family hatchback segment for a decade. Owners say they are incredibly robust still today, despite being up to 14 years old
Faults: 13%
Breakdowns: 0%
Days off the road: 1.2
Top of models with five-star 10 to 15-year reliability is the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback that was first released in 2011 that remained in showrooms until 2020.
Based on owner feedback, models of this car over 10 years old suffered zero breakdowns in the 12 months before completing the survey, and just 13 per cent of drivers reported any kind of fault.
When something did go wrong, these cars spent just over a day off the road for repairs on average; far below the average of 4.5 days for cars this age.
It can be bought for somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000 and is also loved by owners, scoring four stars out of five for satisfaction in the consumer watchdog's annual poll.
While some complained about rear legroom, a small boot and clunky infotainment system, feedback from owners was generally glowing; a third specifically mentioned reliability as a thing they love about the car, while another third raved about comfort.
Graham Elliott, from Scarborough, said it is 'the finest car that I have ever owned'. Another respondent's only criticism was that Lexus no longer makes them.
The diesel Vauxhall Zafira B (2005-2014) is the least dependable older car between 10 and 15 years of age - and one Which? says you are best to avoid
Look away now Sunderland factory workers: The first-generation Nissan Qashqai, produced at the North East car plant, is listed as the second least reliable older motor in the Which? survey
Which older cars do you need to avoid?
Vauxhall's Zafira (2005-2014) with diesel engines is the car Which? recommends buyers try to avoid if they want to evade high repair bills and a high risk of being stranded at the roadside.
The MPV has become synonymous with fires in recent years due to issues with the heater blower motor and regulator. This is primarily due to owners replacing parts on this second-generation model with cheap aftermarket components.
But it appears fixing a Zafira is a frequent task, with more than half of owners telling Which? they encountered a fault of some sort in the last 12 months - and three in ten suffering a breakdown.
An average of more than a fortnight off the road for repairs is also a huge inconvenience nobody wants.
Another notable poor performer is the first-generation Nissan Qashqai (2007-2013), again with the diesel engines, which suffered a high volume of faults, too many instances of breakdowns and almost a week per year in garages being repaired.
Which? says that in the 10 to 15-year-old car age group, diesel is by far the least dependable fuel type with an average fault rate of 48 per cent. This compares to just 39 per cent for petrols and a mere 23 per cent for hybrids.
LEAST RELIABLE OLDER CARS AGED 10-15 YEARS
Car make and model Faults Breakdowns Days off road
Vauxhall Zafira DIESEL (2005 - 2014) 55% 30% 16.9
Nissan Qashqai DIESEL (2007 - 2013) 61% 13% 4.8
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007 - 2014) 62% 14% 8
Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 - 2013) 67% 9% 2.5
Audi A4 (2008 - 2015) 59% 15% 6.8
Source: Which? Car Survey
Breakdowns, time off road and faults (weighted for severity of each fault) all impact the overall reliability rating for each car. Data based on an online survey of 60,448 drivers who told us about the 71,002 cars they owned, conducted April 2024 to June 2024