Far-Eastern car firms leave Europe trailing in reliability stakes

Published on Wednesday 27 July 2011 22:19

JAPANESE and Korean used cars are the most reliable but some European makes are cheaper to repair, according to a survey published today.

The research, by What Car? magazine and insurer Warranty Direct, showed top-placed Hondas were six times less likely to develop a fault than Land Rovers, which were found to be least reliable.

Honda, whose models include the Jazz, Civic and Accord, was the most reliable manufacturer for a record sixth year, with a 9 per cent chance of cars becoming faulty in a year.

It was followed by Toyota, Suzuki and Lexus, with the rest of the top ten also from Japan or Korea.

The most reliable European manufacturers were Skoda, in 11th place, and Smart in 12th.

By contrast, Land Rover, with models such as the Discovery and Freelander, was at the foot of the table in 35th place, with a 55 per cent becoming faulty.

Next worst was Alfa Romeo, Renault and Saab.

However, Renault owners were found to be blessed with the second cheapest average repair costs, of 242, after Fiat, which came in less than 1 cheaper.

European manufacturers also comprised seven of the ten cheapest marques to repair.

At the other end of the scale, Porsche had the highest average repair costs, of nearly 690.

Mazda was second highest at 462, but it was also the sixth most reliable overall, with a 16 per cent chance of developing a fault.

Jeep's repair costs were third highest, at 438.

The survey was based on the number of faults occurring in cars between three and eight years old among 50,000 Warranty Direct policy holders.

It also found that while one third of faults in European cars were electrical, 40 per cent of those occurring with Japanese Subaru, Lexus and Suzuki cars were axle and suspension problems.

What Car? editor Chas Hallett said: "This year's study is a stark reminder of the disparity in reliability between Far Eastern brands, which dominate the top ten, and European brands, which contribute the bulk of the bottom ten."

Motoring groups said European manufacturers must focus on improving reliability, and car buyers should pay heed to such research to minimise the cost and hassle of ownership.

Neil Greig, the Scotland-based policy and research director of the Institute for Advanced Motorists, said: "This is yet another very useful consumer index, and drivers doing serious research into their next car purchase would do well to study it in detail.

"Help in choosing your next car has never been more varied or plentiful, so Scots really have no excuse for being landed with an unsafe, unreliable or uneconomic vehicle."

Mr Greig added: "Disappointingly, European manufacturers still have some way to go to catch up with their far east rivals.

"The success of Japanese makers in the UK shows there is no inherent reason for this, and European Union car makers should make moving up the reliability league a top priority for the next few years."