Most and least reliable cars

[NumberoftheBeast]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/used-car-guide/the...

Sorry if a re-post (mods - delete if so!). Worth a read whether you agree or not.

MX5 fanboys will be happy.

Funny that the warranty companies believe that the RS6 is runious. I quote: "a combination of so-so reliability and eye-watering repair costs befitting its bespoke nature mean the reliability index is woeful." A fantastic vehicle, but as an ex-owner, it certainly emptied my wallet.

Edited by NumberoftheBeast on Monday 26th November 11:25

[Dog Star]

Mercedes SL: number 3 in the unreliability charts!

No surprise there, then. Absolute fscking money-pit.

[hesnotthemessiah]

The Crack Fox said:

Data from Warranty Direct

Double

[toddler]

Article says said:

A word of caution here. Due to the way the reliability index works, these cars are not necessarily destined to break down. Most of them will simply cost an absolute fortune if and when they do so. Either way, there’s a risk there.

This is based on repair costs, not number of claims, so it makes sense that premium cars like Bentleys and Mercs will be over represented. Which makes the whole article kind of pointless IMO.

Edited by toddler on Monday 26th November 11:59

[Krikkit]

toddler said:

Article says said:

A word of caution here. Due to the way the reliability index works, these cars are not necessarily destined to break down. Most of them will simply cost an absolute fortune if and when they do so. Either way, there’s a risk there.

This is based on repair costs, not number of claims, so it makes sense that premium cars like Bentleys and Mercs will be over represented. Which makes the whole article kind of pointless IMO.

Edited by toddler on Monday 26th November 11:59

On the contrary, I'd say it makes it rather relevant - the index takes frequency and cost of breakdowns into account, so although the Bentley might not go wrong that often, an engine-out job to change an alternator at their workshop prices will be hilariously expensive. (As we saw some evidence of in the YKYWT for the Continental.) Similarly if the RS6 at the top of the list goes wrong often and at great expense it makes sense for it to get a huge score.

That said you've got to ask whether the kind of people who buy those cars and a warranty will be representative of your ownership.

[Mr Gear]

Krikkit said:

On the contrary, I'd say it makes it rather relevant - the index takes frequency and cost of breakdowns into account, so although the Bentley might not go wrong that often, an engine-out job to change an alternator at their workshop prices will be hilariously expensive. (As we saw some evidence of in the YKYWT for the Continental.) Similarly if the RS6 at the top of the list goes wrong often and at great expense it makes sense for it to get a huge score.

That said you've got to ask whether the kind of people who buy those cars and a warranty will be representative of your ownership.

Exactly. My old Corsa broke down a few times, but it was so cheap to fix it didn't matter. Amy Audi breaks down less, but in more expensive ways, which is actually more irritating.

[CDP]

toddler said:

Article says said:

A word of caution here. Due to the way the reliability index works, these cars are not necessarily destined to break down. Most of them will simply cost an absolute fortune if and when they do so. Either way, there’s a risk there.

This is based on repair costs, not number of claims, so it makes sense that premium cars like Bentleys and Mercs will be over represented. Which makes the whole article kind of pointless IMO.

Edited by toddler on Monday 26th November 11:59

But that doesn't explain the good performance of the E class.

For that matter Japanese parts aren't cheap either.

[VinceFox]

Of the cars ive owned bmws have been the most reliable, specifically my 328i.

Least reliable would probably be the 200sx i has, but it had been badly treated.

[toddler]

Krikkit said:

toddler said:

Article says said:

A word of caution here. Due to the way the reliability index works, these cars are not necessarily destined to break down. Most of them will simply cost an absolute fortune if and when they do so. Either way, there’s a risk there.

This is based on repair costs, not number of claims, so it makes sense that premium cars like Bentleys and Mercs will be over represented. Which makes the whole article kind of pointless IMO.

Edited by toddler on Monday 26th November 11:59

On the contrary, I'd say it makes it rather relevant - the index takes frequency and cost of breakdowns into account, so although the Bentley might not go wrong that often, an engine-out job to change an alternator at their workshop prices will be hilariously expensive. (As we saw some evidence of in the YKYWT for the Continental.) Similarly if the RS6 at the top of the list goes wrong often and at great expense it makes sense for it to get a huge score.

That said you've got to ask whether the kind of people who buy those cars and a warranty will be representative of your ownership.

Fair enough, but the title of the article is "The most and least reliable cars 1997 to 2012" which is misleading.

[RDMcG]

I have owned a fair number of cars where the repair costs can be very high,but have not seen any particular reliability problems.

My 2003 SL500 was bought new and has had zero problems apart from a burnt xenon low beam. That was astonishingly expensive. $2300. However over the life of the car it was the only item.

I had an E63 M6 that had a few issues including a full ECU meltdown which took a week to replace and untold hours,luckily under warranty. However, the sheer complexity of the car was such that I was worried about post-warranty exposure and its is gone.

The Porsches have been good apart from a clutch replacement on the 997.1 RS ($3500) and the annual replacement of the front splitter from parking lot ramps. I am no #5. It has also eaten up a lot of tires.

In general I have had no more reliability problems than the overall car population even looking back on all the cars I have owned.

Apart from the 2004 Touareg V8 that is , a car so plagued with electrical gremlins that they took it back and replaced it with a 2005.

[CDP]

The MG's had the dreaded HGF (£500 on top of a service for the full upgrade), a wheel bearing, couple of alternators (Bosch - count of insufficient light), and a dodgy heater knob. In four years under a grand in repairs. This compares with my Toyota MR2 which could go through four grand in one year (though that included servicing and tyres).

My VW had four cylinder heads fail due to cracks and holes which have to count as serious faults. Apart from that and a couple of minor electrical issues it was OK.

The Vectra just keeps going no matter what I do to it, as did all our other GM and BL stuff.

[Krikkit]

toddler said:

Fair enough, but the title of the article is "The most and least reliable cars 1997 to 2012" which is misleading.

Good point, hadn't clocked that bit!