A group of motoring experts analysed data from breakdowns to create a list of the most reliable cars in the UK.
The team at Carwow, with the help of data from UK-based Warrantywise, analysed how many times cars had broken down in 2024 and how much they cost to repair.
It was discovered that the most reliable car in the UK was a surprising fan favourite in the form of the Suzuki Alto.
The Suzuki Alto is what is best described as a city car, a small vehicle with a small engine designed to carry four or five people in relative comfort for a modest price.
Whilst its size and statistics may be diminutive on paper, in practice the Suzuki is one of the most impressively reliable cars in the UK.
Speaking about the motor in a video for car price comparison website Carwow, motoring expert Mat Watson remarked that the Alto had scored a “hugely impressive 95.1 out of 100” in Warrantywise’s scoring system.
He added: “The really striking thing is just how little the Alto goes wrong. In fact, Warrantywise has so little data on Suzuki Alto problems that there isn’t a ‘Most common problem’. The data just says ‘miscellaneous’ and I think that says it all.”
The Suzuki Alto may win the reliability stakes, but it wasn’t the only car that impressed with the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST, Volvo V90, Mazda MX5, Audi A8, Toyota Yaris, and Toyota Hilux also impressing.
On the second placed Fiesta, Mat remarked that the sixth and seventh generations of the hot hatch were both “absolute crackers to drive”. He added that people would “more than likely to get to enjoy them without interruption” because of their high reliability score, but he said the most common problem found was with the clutch.
The best placed sportscar in the list was in fourth overall with the Mazda MX-5. On this, Mat said: “It is of course the Mazda MX-5.” The most common with the cars surveyed was with the car’s suspension.
The topic of the best used car to buy has been contentious, with mechanical engineer Sergei Savchak saying: “Customers who do their homework have found Toyotas from between 2007 and 2012 [are the best value].
“Generally speaking, they are good cars with meticulous owners and are well-priced. I have sometimes had the urge to buy one, but we are completely banned from doing so.”
As well as providing his personal opinion on which sort of car people should be looking at, Sergei also advised that buyers should be careful when buying a second-hand car.
He warned: “The biggest disadvantage is uncertainty. A new car should be perfect, but there are countless conditions in which you can find a used car.
“Many users are unable to discern at a glance what treatment has been given to the vehicle they are considering buying, and that is where scams, frauds and manipulations begin.”
Whilst some are providing tips on when to buy a used car, other experts are remarking on when to sell. Another commentator, this time a spokesperson for the used car buying service BigWantsYourCar, also told the Express the best month to put your car on the market.
They suggested: “April is the sweet spot for selling a used car. Dealers need stock to replenish their forecourts after the surge in new car sales in March, and many buyers are looking for a more affordable alternative to a brand-new model.
“If you’re considering selling, now is the time to act before the market becomes oversaturated with trade-ins.”
