Latest news with #MichaelPassingham
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Top 10 most reliable older cars from just £2,800… and the risky buys you MUST avoid
DRIVERS looking to buy an affordable but reliable older motor should consider one of these top 10 picks from the Which? annual car survey. The consumer group has revealed a list of cars it recommends with five-star reliability ratings between 10-15 years old, some for less than £3,000. From nippy city cars to big family SUVs, there are options for all drivers hunting for a bargain buy that doesn't scrimp on quality. Michael Passingham, senior researcher at Which?, told thisismoney that hybrid cars have come to dominate the list of most reliable, older vehicles. He said: "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. "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." In good news for consumers, so called 'full' hybrids' have been removed from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars planned by the government. Micheal warned against opting for a plug-in hybrid, saying that this type of car has "one of the least reliable engine types according to our data". Here is the full list of the 10 best buys for the most reliable older cars... 10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019) Average used price: £4,650 Faults: 28% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 5.3 The predecessor to the Toyota Corolla, the Auris served as the brands family hatchback offering for almost two decades until it was replaced in 2019. The second generation Auris, sold between 2012-2019, boasts impressive reliability with less than three in ten owners reporting faults in the last year, and only seven per cent saying their vehicle broke down. The average price of £4,650 makes this a competitive option when looking for a family, and environment, friendly hatchback. The only caveat is that the Auris took an average of 5.3 days to get back on the road after a breakdown, which is higher than other cars on this list. Princess Andre hits back at money-shaming trolls who claim 'Peter and Katie Price bought her £10k motor as first car' 9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014) Average used price: £2,800 10 Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 1% Days off the road: 2.6 The Suzuki Alto, released in 2009, is still living up to its promise of being a cheap, compact and reliable supermini. It was first offered for £6,000-£7,000 and now can be snapped up for less than three grand, the cheapest buy on this list. The simplicity of the Alto makes it a particularly reliable option, with just 1 per cent reporting breakdowns in the last 12 months, and a quarter saying they had to deal with faults. If it does need a repair, the Alto's simplicity means it gets back to you in an average of only 2.6 days. 8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020) Average used price: £3,100 Faults: 23% Breakdowns: 6% Days off the road: 3.1 The go-to small, dependable car for many in the last 25 years, the Yaris, is still making recommendation lists for its affordability and reliability. With less than a quarter reporting faults and only 6 per cent dealing with a breakdown in the last 12 months, the Yaris still holds up remarkably well after all this time. This is the 2011-2020 model with a hybrid drivetrain, an addition which makes it economical to drive as well as to buy, averaging just over £3,000. 7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016) Average used price: £3,500 Faults: 27% Breakdowns: 8% Days off the road: 1.4 Suzuki appears again on this list with the 2010-2016 Swift supermini, a compact, simple vehicle at a compelling price. Received positively upon release, the Swift was praised for being fun to drive with a competitive blend of efficiency and performance. Now on sale for only around three and a half grand, this might be a great option for those looking for a small but fiery little motor. Although it scores a little worse on breakdowns, with 8 per cent being the highest on this list, it does only spend a brief 1.4 days in the shop when things do go wrong. Couple this with a good score of 27 per cent reporting faults, and this characterful car is still a good buy in 2025. 6. BMW X1 (2009-2015) Average used price: £5,200 10 Faults: 35% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 2.1 In a shock entry to this list, the BMW X1 is an outlier for luxury SUVs, which are often unreliable and costly to repair. On the contrary, the X1 competes with other, much smaller, simpler cars with a respectable record of just 7 per cent reporting breakdowns last year and only 2.1 days taken to fix on average. Consumers may be able to take advantage of typically low SUV resale prices, generally due to reliability and repair cost concerns, to pick up this hidden gem for a very reasonable price of around £5,000. That said, the X1 does rank low on this list in terms of faults, with over a third experiencing issues in the last 12 months. 5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019) Average used price: £4,500 Faults: 22% Breakdowns: 5% Days off the road: 2.8 Mechanically identical to the VW Up!, the Skoda CitiGo was meant for squeezing into tight parking spaces and down narrow streets while keeping your fuel costs and insurance premiums to a minimum. After being discontinued five years ago, the CitiGo now makes for a tempting prospect on the second-hand market. It was initially praised for being surprisingly roomy for being so small, and for being the cheaper alternative to the Up! while essentially being the same car. It boasts impressive reliability, with only 22 per cent reporting faults and 5 per cent experiencing a break down. The CitiGo is fairly quick to repair as well, only spending 2.8 days at the garage before being ready for more. 4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015) Average used price: £3,800 Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 4% Days off the road: 2.7 Almost exclusively driven by those of a certain age, the Honda Jazz is popular amongst the older demographic for a reason: its convenient, reliable and easy to drive. These attributes might get Grandma excited, but they should also make the Jazz an attractive option for anyone looking for a solid vehicle at a bargain price. 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. Your Jazz shouldn't be seeing the inside of a garage too often though, with only 4 per cent breaking down in the last year. 3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015) Average used price: £6,400 Faults: 16% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 2 This chunky SUV was voted the most satisfying car to own in 2024 in a Which? survey. A glance at the cars record quickly confirms that one of the factors that make it so popular must be its excellent reliability. Looking at the hybrid-powered models here, only 16 per cent reported a fault in the last year and none had their RX break down on them. For the times that the RX was sent into the garage, it only spent 2 days on average being worked on. The price is a little higher than some others on this list, but buyers are getting both space, comfort and relatively good fuel efficiency. 2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015) Average used price: £3,800 10 Faults: 26% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.7 The iconic MX-5 speeds into the number two spot for good reason, bucking the trend of unreliable sports car to still deliver thrilling driving with solid build quality at a good price. Hailing originally from the late 1980's, this example of the world's best selling roadster is the third generation MX-5, it debuted in 2005 and still holds up today. The record from Which?'s data is flawless when it comes to breakdowns, and shows that this classic is quick to fix only spending 1.7 days in the shop. Just over a quarter reported faults, but that's not a huge figure when it comes to second-hand sports cars. 1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020) Average used price: £7,300 Faults: 13% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.2 Topping the list as the most reliable 10 to 15 year-old car comes the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback which served as the brands answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf until 2020. CT 200h owners surveyed by Which? delivered glowing reviews, reporting zero breakdowns and only 13 per cent experiencing a fault with their car. Drivers praised the vehicles comfort and, of course, reliability, only pointing to a small boot and clunky infotainment system as critiques, as reported by thisismoney. The car sells for around £7,000, the priciest offering so far, but its near spotless record should mean your investment pays off with a dependable motor that is good for years to come. The ones to steer clear of Which? puts the diesel powered Vauxhall Zafira (2005-2014) and Nissan Qashqai (2007-20013) as two of the least reliable vehicles that consumers should steer well clear of if dependability is their aim. The Zafira has become known for catching fires in recent years due to issues with its heater blower motor and regulator. This usually happens when owners replace parts with cheaper, aftermarket components. It is hardly a wonder that drivers are turning to cut-price alternatives when the Zafira breaks down on three in ten owners, with more than half reporting faults in the last year. The car also takes a whopping 14 days on average for repairs to be made. The first generation Nissan Qashqai also from suffers reliability issues, and needs almost a week in the garage on average before it is road-ready after a malfunction. Both these cars use diesel fuel, and Which? has found that this is by far the worst fuel type for reliability, with an average fault rate of 48 per cent, compared to 39 per cent for petrol and 23 per cent for hybrids.
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Top 10 most reliable older cars from just £2,800… and the risky buys you MUST avoid
Dominating the list are hybrid cars, scroll to see which fuel type is worst for reliability GOLDEN OLDIES Top 10 most reliable older cars from just £2,800… and the risky buys you MUST avoid Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRIVERS looking to buy an affordable but reliable older motor should consider one of these top 10 picks from the Which? annual car survey. The consumer group has revealed a list of cars it recommends with five-star reliability ratings between 10-15 years old, some for less than £3,000. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up From nippy city cars to big family SUVs, there are options for all drivers hunting for a bargain buy that doesn't scrimp on quality. Michael Passingham, senior researcher at Which?, told thisismoney that hybrid cars have come to dominate the list of most reliable, older vehicles. He said: "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. "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." In good news for consumers, so called 'full' hybrids' have been removed from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars planned by the government. Micheal warned against opting for a plug-in hybrid, saying that this type of car has "one of the least reliable engine types according to our data". Here is the full list of the 10 best buys for the most reliable older cars... 10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019) Average used price: £4,650 10 The Toyota Auris is a great option for those wanting a green car that boasts impressive reliability especially for the price Credit: Alamy Faults: 28% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 5.3 The predecessor to the Toyota Corolla, the Auris served as the brands family hatchback offering for almost two decades until it was replaced in 2019. The second generation Auris, sold between 2012-2019, boasts impressive reliability with less than three in ten owners reporting faults in the last year, and only seven per cent saying their vehicle broke down. The average price of £4,650 makes this a competitive option when looking for a family, and environment, friendly hatchback. The only caveat is that the Auris took an average of 5.3 days to get back on the road after a breakdown, which is higher than other cars on this list. Princess Andre hits back at money-shaming trolls who claim 'Peter and Katie Price bought her £10k motor as first car' 9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014) Average used price: £2,800 10 The Suzuki Alto is a small city-friendly car that is simple enough to get repaired cheaply and get back on the road quickly Credit: Alamy Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 1% Days off the road: 2.6 The Suzuki Alto, released in 2009, is still living up to its promise of being a cheap, compact and reliable supermini. It was first offered for £6,000-£7,000 and now can be snapped up for less than three grand, the cheapest buy on this list. The simplicity of the Alto makes it a particularly reliable option, with just 1 per cent reporting breakdowns in the last 12 months, and a quarter saying they had to deal with faults. If it does need a repair, the Alto's simplicity means it gets back to you in an average of only 2.6 days. 8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020) Average used price: £3,100 10 The Toyota Yaris has a great track record of reliability, making it one of the most popular hatchbacks of the last 25 years Credit: Handout Faults: 23% Breakdowns: 6% Days off the road: 3.1 The go-to small, dependable car for many in the last 25 years, the Yaris, is still making recommendation lists for its affordability and reliability. With less than a quarter reporting faults and only 6 per cent dealing with a breakdown in the last 12 months, the Yaris still holds up remarkably well after all this time. This is the 2011-2020 model with a hybrid drivetrain, an addition which makes it economical to drive as well as to buy, averaging just over £3,000. 7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016) Average used price: £3,500 10 Suzuki Swift is considered by some an overlooked gem of the supermini class Credit: Getty Faults: 27% Breakdowns: 8% Days off the road: 1.4 Suzuki appears again on this list with the 2010-2016 Swift supermini, a compact, simple vehicle at a compelling price. Received positively upon release, the Swift was praised for being fun to drive with a competitive blend of efficiency and performance. Now on sale for only around three and a half grand, this might be a great option for those looking for a small but fiery little motor. Although it scores a little worse on breakdowns, with 8 per cent being the highest on this list, it does only spend a brief 1.4 days in the shop when things do go wrong. Couple this with a good score of 27 per cent reporting faults, and this characterful car is still a good buy in 2025. 6. BMW X1 (2009-2015) Average used price: £5,200 10 The BMW X1 is surprisingly reliable for a big luxury SUV Credit: handout Faults: 35% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 2.1 In a shock entry to this list, the BMW X1 is an outlier for luxury SUVs, which are often unreliable and costly to repair. On the contrary, the X1 competes with other, much smaller, simpler cars with a respectable record of just 7 per cent reporting breakdowns last year and only 2.1 days taken to fix on average. Consumers may be able to take advantage of typically low SUV resale prices, generally due to reliability and repair cost concerns, to pick up this hidden gem for a very reasonable price of around £5,000. That said, the X1 does rank low on this list in terms of faults, with over a third experiencing issues in the last 12 months. 5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019) Average used price: £4,500 10 The Skoda Citigo is mechanically identical to the popular VW Up! making it a great choice for a small car on a budget that also boasts good reliability Credit: Getty Faults: 22% Breakdowns: 5% Days off the road: 2.8 Mechanically identical to the VW Up!, the Skoda CitiGo was meant for squeezing into tight parking spaces and down narrow streets while keeping your fuel costs and insurance premiums to a minimum. After being discontinued five years ago, the CitiGo now makes for a tempting prospect on the second-hand market. It was initially praised for being surprisingly roomy for being so small, and for being the cheaper alternative to the Up! while essentially being the same car. It boasts impressive reliability, with only 22 per cent reporting faults and 5 per cent experiencing a break down. The CitiGo is fairly quick to repair as well, only spending 2.8 days at the garage before being ready for more. 4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015) Average used price: £3,800 10 The Honda Jazz is popular among older drivers, but this doesn't mean it's not a great option for a convenient and reliable motor Credit: handout Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 4% Days off the road: 2.7 Almost exclusively driven by those of a certain age, the Honda Jazz is popular amongst the older demographic for a reason: its convenient, reliable and easy to drive. These attributes might get Grandma excited, but they should also make the Jazz an attractive option for anyone looking for a solid vehicle at a bargain price. 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. Your Jazz shouldn't be seeing the inside of a garage too often though, with only 4 per cent breaking down in the last year. 3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015) Average used price: £6,400 10 The Lexus RX 450h is a very reliable option for a big family motor, breakdowns are very rare according to Which? Credit: Handout Faults: 16% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 2 This chunky SUV was voted the most satisfying car to own in 2024 in a Which? survey. A glance at the cars record quickly confirms that one of the factors that make it so popular must be its excellent reliability. Looking at the hybrid-powered models here, only 16 per cent reported a fault in the last year and none had their RX break down on them. For the times that the RX was sent into the garage, it only spent 2 days on average being worked on. The price is a little higher than some others on this list, but buyers are getting both space, comfort and relatively good fuel efficiency. 2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015) Average used price: £3,800 10 The Mazda MX5 Roadster Coupe is a British icon, and could be yours for less than £4,000 if you opt for an older model Credit: Getty Faults: 26% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.7 The iconic MX-5 speeds into the number two spot for good reason, bucking the trend of unreliable sports car to still deliver thrilling driving with solid build quality at a good price. Hailing originally from the late 1980's, this example of the world's best selling roadster is the third generation MX-5, it debuted in 2005 and still holds up today. The record from Which?'s data is flawless when it comes to breakdowns, and shows that this classic is quick to fix only spending 1.7 days in the shop. Just over a quarter reported faults, but that's not a huge figure when it comes to second-hand sports cars. 1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020) Average used price: £7,300 10 The Lexus CT 200h is the number one car according to the Which? car survey for reliability Credit: PR handout Faults: 13% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.2 Topping the list as the most reliable 10 to 15 year-old car comes the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback which served as the brands answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf until 2020. CT 200h owners surveyed by Which? delivered glowing reviews, reporting zero breakdowns and only 13 per cent experiencing a fault with their car. Drivers praised the vehicles comfort and, of course, reliability, only pointing to a small boot and clunky infotainment system as critiques, as reported by thisismoney. The car sells for around £7,000, the priciest offering so far, but its near spotless record should mean your investment pays off with a dependable motor that is good for years to come. The ones to steer clear of Which? puts the diesel powered Vauxhall Zafira (2005-2014) and Nissan Qashqai (2007-20013) as two of the least reliable vehicles that consumers should steer well clear of if dependability is their aim. The Zafira has become known for catching fires in recent years due to issues with its heater blower motor and regulator. This usually happens when owners replace parts with cheaper, aftermarket components. It is hardly a wonder that drivers are turning to cut-price alternatives when the Zafira breaks down on three in ten owners, with more than half reporting faults in the last year. The car also takes a whopping 14 days on average for repairs to be made. The first generation Nissan Qashqai also from suffers reliability issues, and needs almost a week in the garage on average before it is road-ready after a malfunction. Both these cars use diesel fuel, and Which? has found that this is by far the worst fuel type for reliability, with an average fault rate of 48 per cent, compared to 39 per cent for petrol and 23 per cent for hybrids. Least reliable older cars aged 10-15 years Vauxhall Zafira DIESEL (2005 - 2014) Nissan Qashqai DIESEL (2007 - 2013) Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007 - 2014) Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 - 2013) Audi A4 (2008 - 2015)
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Top 10 most reliable older cars from just £2,800… and the risky buys you MUST avoid
DRIVERS looking to buy an affordable but reliable older motor should consider one of these top 10 picks from the Which? annual car survey. The consumer group has revealed a list of cars it recommends with five-star reliability ratings between 10-15 years old, some for less than £3,000. Advertisement From nippy city cars to big family SUVs, there are options for all drivers hunting for a bargain buy that doesn't scrimp on quality. Michael Passingham, senior researcher at Which?, told He said: "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. "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. Advertisement Read more in Cars "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." In good news for consumers, so called 'full' hybrids' have been removed from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars planned by the government. Micheal warned against opting for a plug-in hybrid, saying that this type of car has "one of the least reliable engine types according to our data". Here is the full list of the 10 best buys for the most reliable older cars... Advertisement Most read in Motors 10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019) Average used price: £4,650 10 The Toyota Auris is a great option for those wanting a green car that boasts impressive reliability especially for the price Credit: Alamy Faults: 28% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 5.3 The predecessor to the Toyota Corolla, the Auris served as the brands family hatchback offering for almost two decades until it was replaced in 2019. Advertisement The second generation Auris, sold between 2012-2019, boasts impressive reliability with less than three in ten owners reporting faults in the last year, and only seven per cent saying their vehicle broke down. The average price of £4,650 makes this a competitive option when looking for a family, and environment, friendly hatchback. The only caveat is that the Auris took an average of 5.3 days to get back on the road after a breakdown, which is higher than other cars on this list. Princess Andre hits back at money-shaming trolls who claim 'Peter and Katie Price bought her £10k motor as first car' 9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014) Average used price: £2,800 Advertisement 10 The Suzuki Alto is a small city-friendly car that is simple enough to get repaired cheaply and get back on the road quickly Credit: Alamy Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 1% Days off the road: 2.6 The Suzuki Alto, released in 2009, is still living up to its promise of being a cheap, compact and reliable supermini. It was first offered for £6,000-£7,000 and now can be snapped up for less than three grand, the cheapest buy on this list. Advertisement The simplicity of the Alto makes it a particularly reliable option, with just 1 per cent reporting breakdowns in the last 12 months, and a quarter saying they had to deal with faults. If it does need a repair, the Alto's simplicity means it gets back to you in an average of only 2.6 days. 8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020) Average used price: £3,100 10 The Toyota Yaris has a great track record of reliability, making it one of the most popular hatchbacks of the last 25 years Credit: Handout Advertisement Faults: 23% Breakdowns: 6% Days off the road: 3.1 The go-to small, dependable car for many in the last 25 years, the Yaris, is still making recommendation lists for its affordability and reliability. With less than a quarter reporting faults and only 6 per cent dealing with a breakdown in the last 12 months, the Yaris still holds up remarkably well after all this time. This is the 2011-2020 model with a hybrid drivetrain, an addition which makes it economical to drive as well as to buy, averaging just over £3,000. Advertisement 7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016) Average used price: £3,500 10 Suzuki Swift is considered by some an overlooked gem of the supermini class Credit: Getty Faults: 27% Breakdowns: 8% Days off the road: 1.4 Suzuki appears again on this list with the 2010-2016 Swift supermini, a compact, simple vehicle at a compelling price. Advertisement Received positively upon release, the Swift was praised for being fun to drive with a competitive blend of efficiency and performance. Now on sale for only around three and a half grand, this might be a great option for those looking for a small but fiery little motor. Although it scores a little worse on breakdowns, with 8 per cent being the highest on this list, it does only spend a brief 1.4 days in the shop when things do go wrong. Couple this with a good score of 27 per cent reporting faults, and this characterful car is still a good buy in 2025. Advertisement 6. BMW X1 (2009-2015) Average used price: £5,200 10 The BMW X1 is surprisingly reliable for a big luxury SUV Credit: handout Faults: 35% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 2.1 In a shock entry to this list, the BMW X1 is an outlier for luxury SUVs, which are often unreliable and costly to repair. Advertisement On the contrary, the X1 competes with other, much smaller, simpler cars with a respectable record of just 7 per cent reporting breakdowns last year and only 2.1 days taken to fix on average. Consumers may be able to take advantage of typically low SUV resale prices, generally due to reliability and repair cost concerns, to pick up this hidden gem for a very reasonable price of around £5,000. That said, the X1 does rank low on this list in terms of faults, with over a third experiencing issues in the last 12 months. 5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019) Average used price: £4,500 Advertisement 10 The Skoda Citigo is mechanically identical to the popular VW Up! making it a great choice for a small car on a budget that also boasts good reliability Credit: Getty Faults: 22% Breakdowns: 5% Days off the road: 2.8 Mechanically identical to the VW Up!, the Skoda CitiGo was meant for squeezing into tight parking spaces and down narrow streets while keeping your fuel costs and insurance premiums to a minimum. After being discontinued five years ago, the CitiGo now makes for a tempting prospect on the second-hand market. Advertisement It was initially praised for being surprisingly roomy for being so small, and for being the cheaper alternative to the Up! while essentially being the same car. It boasts impressive reliability, with only 22 per cent reporting faults and 5 per cent experiencing a break down. The CitiGo is fairly quick to repair as well, only spending 2.8 days at the garage before being ready for more. 4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015) Average used price: £3,800 Advertisement 10 The Honda Jazz is popular among older drivers, but this doesn't mean it's not a great option for a convenient and reliable motor Credit: handout Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 4% Days off the road: 2.7 Almost exclusively driven by those of a certain age, the Honda Jazz is popular amongst the older demographic for a reason: its convenient, reliable and easy to drive. These attributes might get Grandma excited, but they should also make the Jazz an attractive option for anyone looking for a solid vehicle at a bargain price. Advertisement 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. Your Jazz shouldn't be seeing the inside of a garage too often though, with only 4 per cent breaking down in the last year. 3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015) Average used price: £6,400 10 The Lexus RX 450h is a very reliable option for a big family motor, breakdowns are very rare according to Which? Credit: Handout Advertisement Faults: 16% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 2 This chunky SUV was voted the most satisfying car to own in 2024 in a Which? survey. A glance at the cars record quickly confirms that one of the factors that make it so popular must be its excellent reliability. Looking at the hybrid-powered models here, only 16 per cent reported a fault in the last year and none had their RX break down on them. Advertisement For the times that the RX was sent into the garage, it only spent 2 days on average being worked on. The price is a little higher than some others on this list, but buyers are getting both space, comfort and relatively good fuel efficiency. 2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015) Average used price: £3,800 10 The Mazda MX5 Roadster Coupe is a British icon, and could be yours for less than £4,000 if you opt for an older model Credit: Getty Advertisement Faults: 26% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.7 The iconic MX-5 speeds into the number two spot for good reason, bucking the trend of unreliable sports car to still deliver thrilling driving with solid build quality at a good price. Hailing originally from the late 1980's, this example of the world's best selling roadster is the third generation MX-5, it debuted in 2005 and still holds up today. The record from Which?'s data is flawless when it comes to breakdowns, and shows that this classic is quick to fix only spending 1.7 days in the shop. Advertisement Just over a quarter reported faults, but that's not a huge figure when it comes to second-hand sports cars . 1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020) Average used price: £7,300 10 The Lexus CT 200h is the number one car according to the Which? car survey for reliability Credit: PR handout Faults: 13% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.2 Advertisement Topping the list as the most reliable 10 to 15 year-old car comes the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback which served as the brands answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf until 2020. CT 200h owners surveyed by Which? delivered glowing reviews, reporting zero breakdowns and only 13 per cent experiencing a fault with their car. Drivers praised the vehicles comfort and, of course, reliability, only pointing to a small boot and clunky infotainment system as critiques, as reported by thisismoney. The car sells for around £7,000, the priciest offering so far, but its near spotless record should mean your investment pays off with a dependable motor that is good for years to come. Advertisement The ones to steer clear of Which? puts the diesel powered Vauxhall Zafira (2005-2014) and Nissan Qashqai (2007-20013) as two of the least reliable vehicles that consumers should steer well clear of if dependability is their aim. The Zafira has become known for catching fires in recent years due to issues with its heater blower motor and regulator. This usually happens when owners replace parts with cheaper, aftermarket components. It is hardly a wonder that drivers are turning to cut-price alternatives when the Zafira breaks down on three in ten owners, with more than half reporting faults in the last year. The car also takes a whopping 14 days on average for repairs to be made. Advertisement The first generation Nissan Qashqai also from suffers reliability issues, and needs almost a week in the garage on average before it is road-ready after a malfunction. Both these cars use diesel fuel, and Which? has found that this is by far the worst fuel type for reliability, with an average fault rate of 48 per cent, compared to 39 per cent for petrol and 23 per cent for hybrids. Least reliable older cars aged 10-15 years Vauxhall Zafira DIESEL (2005 - 2014) Nissan Qashqai DIESEL (2007 - 2013) Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007 - 2014) Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 - 2013) Audi A4 (2008 - 2015)
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The 10 most reliable older cars that are cheap and dependable - and the lemons to dodge
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
Forbes
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Report: Automated ADAS Safety Features Are A ‘Nightmare' For Drivers
European regulators began requiring ADAS in 2022, making specific features mandatory in new models ... More from 2022 and in existing models in 2024. Advanced safety features, like automated speed controls and automatic braking, are so annoying to British drivers that they're turning them off, suggesting technology designed for safety may actually be a source of distraction and irritation — and no wonder, with cars suddenly braking or misreading speed limits. That's according to research from Which?, a UK consumer organisation, which found more than half (54%) of the 1,500 drivers it surveyed choose to disable at least one of five main Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in their car some of the time. European regulators began requiring ADAS in 2022, making specific features mandatory in new models from 2022 and in existing models last year. These include intelligent speed assistance, advanced emergency braking, lane keeping assist, driver drowsiness, and "black box" event data recorders. The aim was to boost safety and reduce car crash casualties, but part of the road to introducing further automation into cars. The UK doesn't have the same rules legally mandating ADAS as yet, but cars tend to feature the software as they're designed for use across the wider market; reports suggest as many as 90% of cars in the UK manufactured since 2018 have ADAS of some sort. But this research suggests that ADAS systems aren't living up to expectations in the real world — and can be a serious distraction and irritation to drivers. After all, who wouldn't want a smart lane-keeping system verifying your shoulder check or speed assistance to avoid tickets? Brits, it would seem — but with good reason. One driver, 75-year-old Eileen, was quoted by Which? as saying driving had gone from a lifeline to a "nightmare" after she purchased a Hyundai i20 hatchback in 2023. That's because the ADAS system misreads speed limits — telling her the limit is 30mph when it's actually 80mph — and unnecessarily correcting her steering, even when in parking lots. "To feel the steering wheel suddenly spin and the car begin to swerve was terrifying," she told Which?. 'I've seriously considered getting some old, beat-up car from five years ago that doesn't have this technology.' Eileen isn't the only one. Which? cars expert Michael Passingham tested 11 different cars featuring these systems: "I've had cars brake for nonexistent crossroads, jitter me around on country lanes and inform me that I'm driving 50mph over the speed limit." According to the survey, 46% of drivers surveyed turned off speed limit alerts, with most saying they felt they didn't need it, though there were also reports it picks up the wrong signs and misreads others. The second most frequently disabled feature was lane keep assist, turned off by 42% of those surveyed, mostly because they found it dangerous, annoying or distracting. Which? cars expert Michael Passingham tested 11 different cars featuring these systems: "I've had ... More cars brake for nonexistent crossroads, jitter me around on country lanes and inform me that I'm driving 50mph over the speed limit." Another third disabled emergency braking, drowsiness monitoring, and blind-spot monitoring — again, drivers turned off the latter because it was distracting. ADAS features can be turned off, but not permanently; drivers need to change such settings every time they drive. The Which? research follows an earlier report suggesting ADAS features could become a threat to road safety if damaged in an accident. The consumer rights organisation called for industry and regulators to do a better job ensuring these safety features are fit for purpose and don't add to drivers' distraction, and warned anyone shopping for a new car to test drive carefully with ADAS enabled to see how the features work on the road. "These features should be keeping motorists safe, so it is really concerning that so many people are turning them off because they don't find them useful, or even worse, that they find them distracting or dangerous," said Harry Rose, editor of Which? Magazine. "If the tech is working well it should be possible to adapt to driving with it so that it fulfils its purpose of making you feel safer at the wheel," he added. 'Turning it off should only be a last resort as if you turn the systems off, they're not protecting you, or anyone else.' In a statement provided to the consumer-rights organisation, Hyundai said: "As part of our process of continuous vehicle testing and quality improvement, Hyundai regularly conducts real world testing of all vehicle systems and whenever possible will introduce software improvements to address identified customer concerns." But until that possible software upgrade arrives, expect drivers like Eileen to keep switching off automated safety tools for cars like ADAS.
