A total of 199 models from 31 brands received a suitable number of reports from owners for What Car? to provide a reliability score for in 2024.
For those considering buying a car, here are the best and worst performers in each vehicle class so you know which models to potential test drive, and which to keep at an arm’s length…
The Toyota Aygo X put all the other small cars in their place with its 100% relaibility score
Small cars – class average 94.3%
Most reliable: Toyota Aygo X (2021-present) – 100%
What went wrong? Nothing. Not one Aygo X owner reported an issue in 24 months.
Least reliable: Seat Ibiza (2017-present) – 78%
The Seat Ibiza had a lot of infotainment faults reported, and overall 57 per cent of Ibiza owners reported an issue.
Over 24 months not one BMW 1 Series owner reported a fault giving the small car a 100% score
Family cars
Most reliable: BMW 1 Series (2011–2019) – 100%
The BMW 1 Series is a shining light of reliability, with none of the survey owners reporting a fault over 24 months.
Least reliable: Audi A3 Sportback (2020–present) – 71.8%
Unfortunately Audi finds itself at the bottom of another category. 59 per cent of A3 owners reported faults, with infotainment the worst hitter.
It might not be a luxury German marque but Lexus males reliable cars, with the ES the most reliable executive car with a score of 99.3%
Exec cars – class average 89.4%
Most reliable: Lexus ES (2018 to present) – 99.3%
Just 4 per cent of ES owners reported an issue with Lexus covering the cost of all repair work within the 24 month period.
Least reliable: BMW 5 Series diesel (2017-2023) – 79.8%
43 per cent of diesel 5 Series had a fault but a third of owners had to pay up to £750 to repair their car, with some paying over £1,500.
The Mini Countryman is the most reliable Mini model as well as being the most reliable small SUV
Small SUVS – class average 93.7%
Most reliable: Mini Countryman (2017–2024) – 99.7%
The previous-generation Countryman is a reliability scion, being not only the most reliable small SUV, but also the most reliable Mini model. Only 2 per cent of owners reported a problem (bodywork).
Least reliable: Nissan Juke petrol/hybrid (2019-present) – 50%
An affordable small SUV but one that’s becoming plagued with faults – nearly a third (31 per cent) of Nissan Juke owners reported a wide ranging set of problems with the Juke.
100% perfect score for the Lexus NX
Family SUVs – class average 92.4%
Most reliable: Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) – 100%
A 100 per cent score for the Lexus NX – and amazingly outperforms the latest NX which took 97.6 per cent.
Least reliable: Kia Sportage diesel –66.2%
56% per cent of owners reported their diesel Sportages went wrong, compared with only 20 per cent of petrol models. 8 per cent of bills exceeded £1500 but 83 per cent of cars were fixed for free.
The Hyundai Sante Fe is the seven-seater to go for if you want a reliable people carrier; it scored 98.9%
Seven-seaters – class average 90.8%
Most reliable: Hyundai Santa Fe (2019- 2024) – 98.9%
Just 4 per cent of Santa Fe owners had an issue with their seven-seater and all the affected cars could still be driven.
Least reliable: Audi Q7 (2015 to present) – 80.8%
It’s expensive off the bat but it’s expensive to run too because 33 per cent of owners reported a fault and 25 per cent had to pay more than £1,500 to fix their Q7.
The Mini Electric is coming out a winner in the electric car reliability stakes, with a score of 98.4%
Electric cars – class average 87.7%
Most reliable: Mini Electric (2020–2024) – 98.4%
The Mini Electric is a very dependable car, with only 5 per cent of faults reported. Any issues were covered by Mini and the EVs were still driveable.
Least reliable: MG 4 (2002-present)– 63.8%
The MG 4 hasn’t faired well with issues in almost all What Car’s categories reported in the last 24 months. And MG only paid for 55 per cent of repairs and 68 per cent of repairs took more than a week to correct.
The Porsche 718 is a fan favourite and top of its class for reliability scoring 99.3%
Coupes, convertibles and sports cars – class average 92.2%
Most reliable: Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman (2016-present) – 99.3%
A very popular Porsche, the mid-engined roadster and its coupe sibling only had 6 per cent of errors reported with Porsche fixing everything in a day or under. The German marque also covered all costs.
Least reliable: BMW 4 Series Coupe/Convertible (2014-present) – 79%
The same issues on the last generation of the 4 Series hadn’t been fixed this time round, with the same faults reported on. And only 33 per cent of fixed were done for free, with a massive 25 per cent of owners having to fork out more than a grand for repairs.