Toyota
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Toyota has been at the top of reliability ranks for decades, and if you’ve ever been in one or owned one, there’ll be no surprises here.
Whether you go for a Corolla or a RAV4, you’re getting one of the most dependable cars on the market. Toyota is renowned for its robust engineering and tough engines.
Toyotas are built to last. From the durable materials used on their bodies to the strong engines, the reputation for quality is deserved.
Just look at all the old Land Cruisers from the 1980s still going strong.
Lexus
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Lexus is, in many ways, the Waitrose to Toyota’s Tesco. The product may be broadly the same, but you pay a premium for the fancy packaging.
Luckily, that means Lexus is just as reliable as its sister brand. This is thanks to flawless quality control, with every model going through vigorous testing to ensure it reaches (and stays) at the highest possible standard.
The most popular used Lexus models include the IS, LS and RX SUV.
Suzuki
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Suzuki knows how to build a car – that’s a fact. They might be ‘cheap and cheerful’, but that doesn’t mean they’re not built to last.
There’s a reason you find cheap, small used Suzukis scattered across the world – they’re as reliable as a trusty pair of jeans, just with less denim.
The most popular models to consider in the UK would be the Swift, Vitara and Ignis.
Mini
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If you were reading this list 40 years ago, you may have very different thoughts on this entry.
Today, Mini still has its iconic British charm but benefits from reliable German engineering. They’re now some of the most reliable cars money can buy.
From the Countryman and Hatch to its newer all-electric models, Mini never seems to miss a beat.
Owners report minimal breakdowns and issues, and Mini is regarded as a reliable manufacturer with impressively low running costs.
Mitsubishi
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Mitsubishi has been building strong cars for more than 50 years, so it’s no surprise it’s found its way onto this list.
The brand might have left the UK in 2021 due to poor sales, but the strength of the used market for Mitsubishis is a testament to the robust engineering of the Japanese company.
The models to consider are the Outlander, ASX and Shogun Sport.
Honda
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Honda isn’t just a brand – it’s a lifestyle. There’s a shared respect between owners, whether they drive an old Jazz or a peppy Civic Type-R.
The brand’s reputation for relentless reliability only strengthens that bond.
There’s a reason they’re popular with tuners and enthusiasts, because the engines are built to last and can handle the abuse hurled at them.
That also makes them great family cars – dependable runners that will last for years.
Kia
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Kia’s reliability is far above average, ranking very highly in consumer surveys.
It has also gone from strength to strength since partnering with another Korean powerhouse – Hyundai.
Its most popular reliable models include the Ceed, Niro and Sportage. But whichever Kia you go for, you’ll be in safe hands.
Hyundai
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For a brand with some of the best quality control around, look no further than Hyundai. Its fit and finish is of the highest possible standard.
This, along with its stellar safety ratings, means family cars have never been more dependable. And with the rise of electric cars, Hyundai is only pushing forward in this space.
Top reliable Hyundai models include the Kona, Ioniq and Tucson.
Tesla
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Being all-electric, Teslas are some of the most reliable cars in the world. Fewer moving parts than in a traditional combustion-engined car means less can go wrong.
This means you can run a Tesla for thousands of miles with minimal issues – just keep up with tyres, brakes and other important hard-wearing car parts.
In its early days, Tesla had its fair share of quality control issues, like many new car companies. Now? Well, they’re much better and in line with well-established German manufacturers.
