Skoda and Kia out front as cars you can rely on
THEY may not be the most glamorous vehicles on the road – but Skoda and Kia make the most reliable cars in Britain, research reveals.
Both can boast two models in a prestigious Top 10 table compiled from ratings provided by more than 10,000 car owners.
It is dominated by SUVs of various sizes, making up all but two of the list.
Owners in the Auto Express Driver Power survey gave marks based on mechanical and electrical faults, other breakdowns, repair bills, build quality and general satisfaction with reliability to create a percentage score.
Top of the lot was the Skoda Kodiaq, a large SUV which scored an impressive 97.19 per cent, while its smaller stablemate, the Karoq was in sixth place.
Kia’s supermini, the Rio and compact car, the Ceed, also both made the Top 10.
Auto Express said: “Modern cars go through strict development and testing processes before they go on sale to ensure that they’ll be as reliable as possible for many years to come.
“Despite this, some cars still end up proving far more reliable than others, making reliability one of the most important factors for people buying a new or used car.
“No amount of technology, performance, luxury materials or drop-dead gorgeous design will help you if your new vehicle won’t start, breaks down or racks up painful repair bills.
“Reliability might seem boring but it’s absolutely essential if you want to get the most out of your car.” Cars tend to develop faults after three to six years, usually after the manufacturer’s warranty has run out, so reliability is often a bigger factor for those buying second-hand model Express.co.uk motoring correspondent Felix Reeves said: “Simple and more affordable cars will always be the go-to for many drivers and this list highlights that.
“A higher price tag is not always going to mean the car will last a lifetime. In 2022, if a driver is going to buy a car, they will expect it to run for decades to come. If a vehicle is being used to go from A to B, added extras like built-in WiFi or smart assistant aren’t necessary. “Alongside the initial price, cheaper cars can often guarantee easier problems to fix. “While a luxury vehicle is a dream for many, higher insurance and repairs could hamper those looking for a high-end vehicle.”