Cars More Reliable Than The British Summer

Apparently this year is the year of the British ‘staycation’ (Stay in the UK holidays with a stupid title) so  travelling is making a comeback. So what would be the best car to travel in?

Well, new research had revealed that the UK’s most dependable family car for the summer holidays is the Toyota Corolla (’01-’07).

This is based on information culled from 30,000 of Warranty Direct’s policies and shows that the Corolla UK is the most likely to deliver the whole family to its holiday destination with just 7% breaking down each year, on average. And the good news for the UK in Jubilee year is that the Corolla is built right here in England at the Burnaston factory in Derby.

BUT, at the other end of the scale, owners of the Renault Espace (‘02-‘12) and Mercedes R-Class (’06-) are the most likely to leave you and your precious cargo stranded, with three quarters of all owners suffering unwanted garage bills.

Also amongst the most dependable are the Honda’s Civic (’06-) and Accord (’02-’08) both with claim rates of 10% but separated by the Accord’s more costly maintenance bills.

Top 10 most reliable family-sized cars

1. Toyota Corolla (01-07)
2. Honda Civic (06 +)
3. Honda Accord (02-08)
4. Mazda 3 (04-09)
5. Toyota Auris (07 +)
6. Toyota Prius (03-09)
7. Ford C-Max (07 +)
8. Ford Mondeo (07 +)
9. Nissan Qashqai (07 +)
10. Peugeot 308 (07 +)

Reasons for breakdowns go from Axles & Suspensions (osually after a meeting with a pothole on the way) and Electrical faults (primarily in newer cars) to Braking and Cooling systems, but obviously there are other reasons. But if it’s a reliable used car you require, the research suggests that it’s the Mazda 3 and Toyota Auris you should go for.

Warranty Direct managing director, Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “Most cars will go wrong at some stage but there’s nothing worse than the family’s excitement at setting off on holiday being destroyed by a morning spent on the hard shoulder. And, as well as the inconvenience to your holiday, a breakdown can also put a serious dent in your wallet.”

The only European manufacturer to make Warranty Direct’s top 10 rundown is Peugeot, with its 308 – the majority hail from Japan. In contrast, no Asian manufacturers feature in the 10 least reliable vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot 807 attracted the largest individual bill with a claim for repairs totaling nearly £5,000.

Top 10 least reliable family-sized cars

1. Renault Espace (02 +)
2. Mercedes R-Class (06 +)
3. Vauxhall Vectra (02-09)
4. Renault Grand/Scenic (04-09)
5. Renault Megane (02-09)
6. Skoda Superb (08)
7. Peugeot 807 (02 +)
8. VW Passat (05 +)
9. Peugeot 407 (04 +)
10.  VW Touran (03 +)

Here’s to hours of happy motoring then – depending on your car; obviously!