When shopping for a new vehicle, reliability ranks as the top priority for 37% of car buyers – even ahead of price. Nobody wants to spend precious time and money at repair shops, which makes dependability data invaluable for smart car shoppers.
A recent reliability study surveyed 52,430 drivers across five European countries, tracking how often their vehicles needed repairs (excluding accident damage or vandalism). The results reveal clear winners and losers in the durability race, with Asian brands dominating the top positions and some luxury manufacturers struggling to keep their vehicles out of service bays.
The most reliable car brands in the market
The study findings paint a largely positive picture – more than half of the analyzed brands received excellent reliability scores, with only slight variations between the top performers.
Lexus maintains its crown as the most reliable car brand, followed closely by Subaru and Toyota. Korean manufacturers also showed impressive results, with Hyundai and Kia claiming the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Among European manufacturers, Seat, Dacia, and Skoda delivered the best reliability performances in that order.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Tesla ranked as the least reliable brand – a surprising result given its technological focus. Other luxury manufacturers like Alfa Romeo and Jaguar also showed below-average reliability scores.
(I’ve always found it ironic that some of the most expensive cars on the road seem to spend the most time in repair shops – though Tesla’s position at the bottom might be related to its newer production processes still being refined.)
Models that break down least often
The study also identified the most reliable individual models by engine type. Ready to see which specific vehicles keep their owners happiest with minimal repair needs?
Diesel engines
The Volkswagen T-Roc (2017) earned the distinction of being the most reliable vehicle across all categories in the survey. If you’re considering a diesel option, this compact SUV delivers exceptional dependability.
Gasoline engines
Three models stood out in the gasoline category:
– Audi Q3 (2018)
– Kia Rio (2017)
– Hyundai i20 (2014-2020)
Hybrid gasoline vehicles
The hybrid gasoline segment shows why Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus have earned their stellar reliability reputations:
– Lexus IS (2013)
– Toyota Corolla (2018)
– Toyota RAV-4 (2013-2018)
An interesting finding from the study revealed that gasoline hybrids as a category had the highest concentration of ultra-reliable models. Ten different hybrid models scored above 95% in reliability metrics, making this powertrain option worth serious consideration if minimizing repair visits is a priority.
Plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles
In the electrified vehicle segment, these models demonstrated superior reliability:
– Kia Niro PHEV (2016)
– Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2013)
Natural gas vehicles
For drivers considering natural gas options (though less common in the US market), these models proved most dependable:
– Dacia Duster (2017)
– Skoda Octavia (2013-2020)
What makes these findings valuable for car shoppers?
The study didn’t just track how often vehicles broke down – it also analyzed repair costs, providing a more complete picture of ownership satisfaction. Have you factored potential repair expenses into your car-buying budget? Many shoppers focus on the purchase price but overlook the long-term maintenance equation.
For American buyers, these findings offer valuable guidance despite coming from European drivers. The global nature of today’s auto manufacturing means many models share platforms, components, and assembly processes across markets. While trim levels and features might differ between continents, the underlying engineering and build quality typically remain consistent.
Asian manufacturers’ strong showing mirrors similar reliability studies conducted in North America, where brands like Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru regularly earn top marks from organizations like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.
When shopping for your next vehicle, remember that a car’s true cost includes not just the purchase price but also how often it might leave you stranded – and how deeply repairs might dig into your wallet. The vehicles highlighted in this study have proven track records of keeping their owners on the road and away from service centers.
(As someone who’s spent too many Saturday mornings waiting in dealer service departments, I can attest that reliability isn’t just about money saved – it’s about peace of mind and avoiding the headache of unexpected breakdowns!)
With reliability ranking above price for many buyers, these insights provide valuable guidance for anyone in the market for a new or used vehicle that won’t become a regular visitor to repair shops.
