Top 10: most reliable car brands
The Honest John Satisfaction Index asks readers to rate their cars from zero to 10 in a number of areas, from build quality to handling and practicality. Of course, how reliable a car is is even more important than most of these categories for most buyers.
If you're looking to buy a new car and reliability is high up on your wish list, these are the brands whose dealerships you should be visiting.
>>> See the best and worst performers in the Honest John Satisfaction Index 2020
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Lexus
Reliability average score: 9.69
If you want a dependable and reliable premium car then you should probably buy a Lexus. HonestJohn.co.uk readers ranked Lexus number one for reliability in the Satisfaction Index, with an average score of 9.69. That's a fantastic score for Toyota's upmarket brand, which specialises in hybrid crossovers and SUVs.
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SsangYong
Reliability average score: 9.59
Korean budget brand SsangYong might be a niche manufacturer, but its SUVs and 4x4s represent excellent value for money. The car maker is so confident in its products that it offers a seven-year, 150,000-mile warranty across the range. It's not surprising to see it ranked as the second most reliable manufacturer in the Satisfaction Index.
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Suzuki
Reliability average score: 9.51
Suzuki is an easy brand to recommend. They generally offer exceptional value for money, while also proving to be very reliable - as evidenced by its third-place position for reliability in our latest Satisfaction Index. Suzuki is also one of the best brands for Real MPG, which means you usually get what's promised when it comes to on-the-road fuel economy.
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Dacia
Reliability average score: 9.48
If you're not fussed about soft-touch materials or a trendy badge, a Dacia could be the car for you. Renault's budget brand represents exceptional value for money with its cheapest car, the Sandero, starting at just £6995. As well as being cheap, our readers tell us that Dacias are also very reliable.
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Toyota
Reliability average score: 9.47
If there's one brand that's synonymous with reliability, it's Toyota. It's a reputation that's well deserved, with an average score of 9.47 out of 10 in our Satisfaction Index. As well as being ultra dependable, models like the latest Corolla, C-HR and RAV4 are more desirable than ever.
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Skoda
Reliability average score: 9.40
Hatch and estate versions of the Skoda Octavia are both ranked highly in our most reliable cars of 2020 list, so it's no surprise to see Skoda being named one of the most reliable brands. It's interesting that it's the only Volkswagen Group brand to appear here, despite platforms and engines shared across the line-up.
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Hyundai
Reliability average score: 9.38
Hyundai's success in the UK in recent years can largely be attributed to its affordable prices and generous five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. The latter proves how confident it is in its products, and rightly so - our readers report it makes some of the most reliable cars on sale.
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Honda
Reliability average score: 9.36
Like Toyota, Honda is a brand we're regularly recommending at HonestJohn.co.uk thanks to its image for building dependable cars. It's a well-earned reputation, with owners giving it an impressive Satisfaction Index Score of 9.36.
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Kia
Reliability average score: 9.31
Like sister brand Hyundai, Kia has built up a reputation in recent years thanks to its great-value cars and a generous seven-year warranty. As the warranty's fully transferable, a Kia can make an excellent choice if you're looking to buy second-hand. Our readers gave Kia an average score of 9.31 in our latest Satisfaction Index.
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Subaru
Reliability average score: 9.27
While you might associate Subaru with big spoilers, large exhausts and Colin McRae, these days the brand is more about reliable 4x4 vehicles that'll last forever and go anywhere. Subaru's biggest issue is that owners like to keep their cars forever rather than trade up for a newer model - it's unsurprising, then, that it ranks so highly for reliability in our Satisfaction Index.
