German giant's Vorsprung durch Technik just isn't what it used to be

Published on Thursday 23 July 2009 22:02

IT IS one of the most desired cars on the road but also, it has been claimed, the least reliable.

The Audi A5 is named today as the UK's least dependable new model in the country's biggest reliability survey, despite also topping the customer satisfaction ratings.

The coupe's German manufacturer boasts that the A5 is "exceptional in every way", and 97 per cent of owners told Which? Car they were pleased with the car.

However, the consumer group's magazine also said nearly one in four drivers found it was unreliable.

The poor performance contributed to Audi slumping from the average to poor category in this year's brand reliability stakes, at 77.1 per cent.

At the other end of the table, the Honda Accord achieved a near-perfect 99 per cent for reliability.

Which? Car said A5 owners loved its looks and performance, but were let down by faulty electrics, exhaust and trim.

Richard Headland, the magazine's editor, said such problems may not have affected satisfaction levels because they would have been fixed for free as the model is only two years old.

He said: "Despite German cars' reputation for solidity, the Audi A5 was the least dependable new car surveyed, with a surprisingly low 76 per cent. This stylish coup may have the looks but owners reported significant problems with its electrics."

Reliability scores were based on the number of breakdowns reported by owners, along with other faults and niggles.

The A5 just beat the Ford Galaxy, last year's least reliable car, into bottom spot in the annual survey of 84,000 cars.

Which? Car said the result was "dire news" for Ford, with the Galaxy's problems including ventilation and interior trim.

There was also bad news for Jaguar, with its acclaimed XF scoring only 78 per cent – three percentage points less than the S-type which it replaced.

The Honda Accord, meanwhile, was described as "the very definition of hassle-free motoring". Mr Headland said: "It is one of the most reliable cars we've ever surveyed."

Honda was also most reliable marque overall, at 85.4 per cent, thanks also to "outstanding performances" from its Jazz and Civic Hybrid models. They were among seven Japanese cars in the new-car top ten.

Land Rover propped up the car-makers table at just 68.2 per cent. Which? Car said the luxury 4x4 maker's poor reliability record was "all too familiar" and it was "high time for it to start delivering dependability".

Motoring groups said car makers like Audi must raise their game.

Neil Greig, policy and research director for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "The European manufacturers are learning there is no hiding from unreliability issues today thanks to surveys such as these.

"For firms like Audi, this is not good news as they are seen as a premium product.

"Design may attract the buyers in, but expensive or time-consuming breakdowns will soon drive them away again."

Philip Gomm, a spokesman for the Royal Automobile Club Foundation, said: "Given Audi's reputation for reliability and engineering, these results are a surprise – and it won't be good news for their bottom line."

A spokesman for Audi UK said: "Like every car manufacturer, Audi is unfortunately unable to offer a 100 per cent guarantee that newly-produced models will be wholly free of teething problems, but these are fortunately exceptionally rare and are of course rectified under warranty."