The 10 most reliable car brands REVEALED

Car makers you can put your trust in: Ten most reliable brands REVEALED – but does yours make the top slots?

  • EXCLUSIVE: Warrantywise has named the best brands in its Reliability Index
  • Each manufacturer is ranked based on the number of faults, cost of repairs and how long they take to fix, based on over 130,000 policies between 2021-22
  • Honda tops list with a 96.8 score out of 100 ahead of Toyota and Suzuki 
  • Kia and Hyundai round out top 5 – find out which other brands get into the top 10 

The last thing any motorist wants is to own a lemon of a car that constantly breaks down and costs an arm and a leg in repeat garage bills, especially with a cost-of-living crisis biting.

Fortunately, we can exclusively tell you which brands you can put your trust in.

A new report shared with This is Money has listed the makes that are standing the test of time better than other manufacturers.

Extended vehicle warranty provider, Warrantywise, has furnished us with the top 10 reliable brands based on data for more than 130,000 cars – and it’s the East Asian makers that dominate.

Most reliable car brands: Honda tops the charts with an incredible dependability score of 96.8/100 in Warrantywise's Reliability Index

Most reliable car brands: Honda tops the charts with an incredible dependability score of 96.8/100 in Warrantywise’s Reliability Index

The best-performing brands have been compiled in the company’s Reliability Index.

This ranks every car on a combination of factors, including the cost to carry out repairs, how often they encounter issues and how many days it takes to get them fixed.

The data represents only cars that are outside their manufacturer warranties, meaning the minimum age for the sample is three years. The maximum age for cars included in the analysis is 10 years. 

Data collated from 131,000 policies between 2021 and 2022 has placed Honda at the top of the charts with an incredible overall reliability score of 96.8/100.

‘Honda’s solid reputation for being ultra-dependable seems unshakeable, and as shown in previous news updates, the Honda Jazz was named the most reliable used car in this year’s Reliability Index,’ Warrantywise said.

Japanese and Korean brands took 6 out of the top 10 spots in the most reliable car brands rankings, based on warranty data

Japanese and Korean brands took 6 out of the top 10 spots in the most reliable car brands rankings, based on warranty data

And it’s Japanese and Korean marques that continue to lead by example, sweeping the top five spots in the dependability stakes.

Toyota placed a close second, scoring 91.2/100 overall, followed by Suzuki and Kia, with Hyundai rounding out the top five East Asian reliability takeover. 

Surprisingly, Fiat, Citroën and Renault represent the sixth to eighth spots, which could go some way to dispel preconceptions that these European brands don’t build the most dependable vehicles.

The two remaining places in the top 10 are secured by Mazda and Ford.

Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise said: ‘As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s important to keep things like reliability at the forefront of our minds when choosing a used car to buy. 

‘By collecting and collating all this data into an index like this one, we’re able to further help our customers with their purchases by arming them with information to try and help lessen the burden as much as we can. 

‘Consumers are keeping their vehicles for longer, and we are able to provide them with a warranty to help them avoid large lump sums when things go wrong.’

The Honda Jazz was named the most reliable used model by the extended warranty provider earlier this year. In fact, 9 of the top 10 cars are Japanese or Korean-made

The Honda Jazz was named the most reliable used model by the extended warranty provider earlier this year. In fact, 9 of the top 10 cars are Japanese or Korean-made

Most reliable models, according to Warrantywise

The Honda Jazz’s affordable price, stellar practicality and widely-known dependability is why it is a firm favourite in Britain. 

MOST RELIABLE USED CAR MODELS

1. Honda Jazz – 93.7/100 

Average repair cost: £973.66 

2. Mazda 2 – 89.9/100

Average repair cost: £2,422.31

3. Toyota Auris – 89.7/100

Average repair cost: £1,841.60

4. Mazda MX-5 – 86.5/100

Average repair cost: £586.94

5. Toyota Aygo – 85.5/100

Average repair cost: £1,339.36

6. Kia Ceed – 85/100

Average repair cost: £1,914

7. Kia Rio – 84.9/100

Average repair cost: £1,655.39

8. Suzuki Alto – 83.9/100

Average repair cost: £733.70

9. Hyundai i20 – 82.5/100

Average repair cost: £2,361.36

10. Peugeot 107 – 81.6

Average repair cost: £1,128.44

Source: Warrantywise 

And earlier this year Warranytwise Reliability Index named it the most robust of all used cars, scoring an impressive 93.7/100 overall rating.

With an average repair cost in 2021 of only £424.31, Honda’s reputation for making reputable motors remains strong.

Warrantywise’s Reliability Index for models placed the Mazda 2 in second, and the Toyota Auris claiming the third position. 

The Mazda MX-5 places fourth, the Toyota Aygo fifth, the Kia Ceed and Rio sixth and seventh respectively, the Suzuki Alto is eighth, the Hyundai i20 ninth.

It shows that Japanese and Korean brands are also dominating at a model level.

The only non East-Asian car firm to creep into the top 10 was Peugeot, as its 107 city car took the final place in the model order.

Mr Whittaker added: ‘It’s unsurprising to see Honda top the table, given how reliable its cars have proven to be time and time again, with the results of our Reliability Index. 

‘The Reliability Index is such a great tool for us to be able to evaluate the market and help our customers make the right choice for them when it comes to deciding which car to purchase; especially now with the cost of parts and labour on the rise and people genuinely searching for the best options to suit their needs.’

source: dailymail.co.uk