The most trouble-free used cars

Which used car is better to buy: the most reliable used cars

Data from surveys conducted among Russian car enthusiasts indicate that only one in three buyers of used vehicles prioritize its reliability when choosing a car. Most prefer to be guided by desires and feelings: if you want, you buy! Some people simply base it on how much finance they have available. Others look at the vehicles of friends and neighbors when purchasing. And in vain! A reliable used car will save the owner from frequent calls to the service center. This means the owner will save money, time and nerves.

"Autocode" will tell you which used car is best to buy, based on its reliability.

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What criteria are used to determine the reliability of a used car?

According to experts, reliable used cars must meet the following requirements:

• long service life;
• low frequency of malfunctions;
• accessible service (repair or replacement of parts and components should occur as quickly as possible and with the least amount of problems);
• good susceptibility to “gray” consumables.

Based on these parameters, ratings of world expert agencies are compiled to assess the reliability of used cars. One of the best among them is the German Association for Technical Supervision (TÜV).

The opinion of the specialists of this company is most interesting to car owners from Russia for three reasons:

• Information when compiling the rating is collected by independent technical experts, so the information obtained in this way is considered the most objective (for example, the British Warranty Direct does this based on reports received from insurance companies, and Consumer Reports from the USA does this based on information collected from vehicle owners).
• About 10 million used cars aged from two to 11 years are inspected annually
• Most brands and models of cars from the TÜV rating are or have previously been supplied to our country, so you can buy a used car of the desired modification from an advertisement in a newspaper or on the Internet without much difficulty.

The TÜV rating is based on a technical inspection of one hundred used cars of each model. The more faults the experts find, the lower the vehicle’s ranking. Which cars are considered the most reliable, according to the TÜV rating, read below.

The most reliable used car produced in 2006-2007

Here the leader is the representative of the German automobile industry - Porsche 911. Even after ten years of operation, driving such a used car is comfortable and safe (less than 5% of tested vehicles failed inspection, which is an excellent indicator for this age). True, for most Russian car owners this “iron horse” will remain a dream. To buy a used 2006 Porsche 911, depending on condition and mileage, you will have to fork out between 1.5 and 3.5 million rubles.

The most reliable used cars produced in 2008-2009

The leader is the same - a beautiful and inaccessible Porsche. In addition to the 911, experts advise paying attention to the Porsche Boxster and Porsche 993.

The most reliable used cars produced in 2010-2011

In this category, manufacturers from Germany lost the palm to engineers from Japan. Experts recognize the Toyota Prius and Mazda 2 as the best used cars that you should pay attention to when purchasing (about 12% of vehicles have not passed inspection).

The most reliable used cars produced in 2012-2013

The best option among used vehicles in this age category is the Toyota Prius (the figure is slightly more than 7% of vehicles that fail inspection). Also, when purchasing, you should pay attention to:

The whole VW family deserves attention: Tiguan, Passat CC and Golf Plus.

The most reliable used cars produced in 2014-2015

The best in the ranking is Opel Meriva (less than 5% of used cars of this model have failed inspection). Experts also advise buying:

• Audi Q5;
• Toyota Avensis;
• BMW Z4;
• Audi A3;
• Mazda 3;
• Mercedes GLK.

And now a small fly in the ointment! German experts test used vehicles that “run” on high-quality foreign roads. On Russian off-road roads, the number of breakdowns of used cars is increasing. Without begging for the merits of the used cars listed above, let us turn to the opinions of experts from Russia.

Which reliable used cars are best suited for Russian roads?

Kira Kaddaha, editor of autospot.ru:

“If you want to buy a reliable used car, feel free to give preference to Japanese manufacturers: Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti. These brands are renowned for quality, especially Lexus and Toyota. But you need to take into account that they are on the list of the most stolen. Also, Japanese brands require more costs than Korean ones. Spare parts are 15-20% more expensive than those from the Koreans. Therefore, the positions of manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia have strengthened not only in the primary market, but also in the secondary market. In the last few years, the “Koreans” have been among the leaders. They are chosen for quality, warranty (Kia has 5 years) and, of course, reliability.”

It should be noted that the opinions of domestic experts differ from the ratings of German specialists. And, most likely, this is due to the fact that not every Russian can afford to buy a 3-5 year old BMW, Audi, Lexus or Mercedes (not to mention a Porsche). Therefore, the main task for most Russian buyers is to find the optimal compromise between price and quality (reliability).

For those with a small amount of money, the best option would be:

• "Hyundai Solaris" (a 3-4 year old used car can be bought for 420-550 thousand rubles);
• “Ford Focus” (cost of a used car 2012-2013 – 450-550 thousand rubles);
• “Renault Logan” (purchase of a “Logan” produced in 2013-2014 will cost 370-400 thousand rubles);
• “Lada Kalina” (2013 vehicle price – 250-270 thousand rubles).

And again, nowhere without representatives of the “people's carriage” from Germany: “Polo”, “Passat” and “Golf”. Prices for 5-7-year-old vehicles of these models vary from 400 to 600 thousand rubles.

Ilya Ushaev, Forsazh automobile agency:

“Usually a person, when buying a car, looks for it according to the following parameters:

• price;
• year of issue;
• mileage;
• liquid, so as not to lose value;
• “I want it to be like new...”;
• better with one owner in title;
• unbroken and unpainted.

This is roughly how most people see the vehicle they want to buy. But once people face reality, things become much more complicated.

Up to 150 thousand rubles. It’s better to buy a Renault Logan or a Hyundai Accent (if it’s in good condition, it’s a win-win option).

Budget up to 300 thousand rubles. - leader of Mitsubishi Lancer 9, Renault Logan, Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Getz.

For 450 thousand rubles. it is better to buy Ford Focus 2, Nissan Tiida, Honda Civic and Ford Fiesta (the latter is better for girls).

With a budget of 600-700 thousand rubles. there are a lot of options. For family people, this is the Skoda Octavia 1.8 (automatic gearbox, produced from mid-2012, not to be confused with the DSG gearbox, we do not recommend it), Toyota Rav 4, Nissan Tiana (but be careful with a CVT - this thing is very difficult to diagnose, and even after diagnosis it can run 150,000 km). Someone will be satisfied with a used Volvo S40 (expensive to maintain, like any “European”).

For 800,000 rubles. It’s better to buy a Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage, Santa Fe, Lexus IS250, Honda CRV. From Europeans you can buy an Audi A6, a Citroen C6 (restyled) and a BMW X5 (E70).

In addition, for those who have at their disposal an amount from 800 thousand to 1.2 million rubles, according to experts, when purchasing, it is better to pay attention to the Chevrolet Captiva and Nissan X-Trail 2013-2015.

To summarize, it remains to be noted that if you want to buy a reliable used car, it is better to choose a vehicle of German or Japanese origin.

When buying a used vehicle, you should remember that, in addition to reliability, the legal cleanliness of the car is also important. You can check a vehicle for traffic police restrictions and find out whether it is in bail or under arrest from bailiffs in a few minutes using the all-Russian Internet service “Autocode”. Also on our website you can download a book from which you will learn how to buy a used car profitably and safely.

The most unpretentious and “indestructible” foreign cars on the secondary market of the Russian Federation for 275,000 rubles

Foreign cars on the secondary market, the price of which does not exceed 300,000 rubles, are perhaps one of the most popular categories among our compatriots. And this is not surprising. Some people don’t have the money to buy a car in a higher price range, while others simply don’t want to spend a large amount on a vehicle. For simplicity, we will limit ourselves to the amount of a little less than a third of a million rubles and will consider offers for an average amount of ₽275,000. Needless to say, it is very difficult to find a good option for this money. Mostly sellers offer “junk”, but there are also decent cars that we recommend taking a closer look at.

Of course, the condition of a used car directly depends on the previous owner, but there are also models that are considered practically “indestructible”. They are reliable, comfortable and practical. And, most importantly, they cost no more than 275,000 rubles.

Below is a list that includes the five most reliable and high-quality foreign cars that are actively offered on the Russian secondary market. Of course, you can find more solid options, but these models are strongly recommended for purchase by experts.

5.Hyundai Getz

Hyundai Getz is a compact “Korean”, which is rightfully considered the best in the segment of inexpensive city cars. It is unpretentious, has a strong structure, and a bonus to all this will be a solid ground clearance, which will help overcome small bumps, and a high-quality automatic transmission. The owners note that in the event of a breakdown, Getz can easily find all the spare parts, and they are inexpensive.

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As for the interior, there is a lot of space inside the hatch, and decent seats will ensure comfortable travel. It is much more convenient than its main rivals on the market, and its design is not outdated even after so many years after the end of production.

4. Skoda Octavia I

Probably, this list would be empty without the Czech bestseller. Of course, the Skoda Octavia I looks boring and outdated, but this car is very easy to maintain, reliable and practical. Moreover, the 1st generation Octavia is suitable even for rural areas, thanks to its strong suspension and spacious trunk. It can safely transport even large-sized cargo.

For minor breakdowns, finding spare parts is not difficult, and they are inexpensive. A reliable engine does not consume a lot of fuel, so it is profitable to maintain a Czech sedan. The car has few downsides. Owners note the cramped rear seat, poor seat upholstery and modest engine power.

3.Nissan Note

Nissan Note has never been considered the standard of impeccable design. However, this “Japanese” is valued for other qualities. First of all, reliability – just what you need for a large family. The owners of Note have said more than once that this “Japanese” is so reliable that after three years of operation it only required replacement of consumables. Indeed, 100,000 kilometers for this model is not a mileage, so you should not be afraid to buy it second-hand, especially since official production has long been completed.

The Nissan Note has one drawback - the dubious quality of the automatic transmission. But there are no questions about the operation of the manual transmission.

2. Chevrolet Lacetti

Chevrolet Lacetti is probably familiar to every novice driver. This model is actively used in training in driving schools; it is chosen by novice drivers or simply those who want to get a high-quality and reliable car at an affordable price. Many owners confidently claim that the Lacetti's potential is limitless. Some specimens even set unique records. Five years without any complaints in work is no joke. In addition, this car is not capricious at all and does not cause any inconvenience to its owners. The engine will not stop working even if the consumables were replaced late.

The main competitor of Shevik is another American, the second generation Ford Focus. It is worth noting that the two machines have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Ford's interior is much more comfortable and pleasant than that of the Lacetti, but in terms of "survivability" the Focus is clearly inferior to the Chevrolet model. And here everyone sets priorities for themselves, but experts strongly recommend taking a closer look at the option from Chevrolet.

1. Nissan Almera Classic

Few people know that the real name of Nissan Almera Classic sounds different, namely Renault Samsung SM3. The most interesting thing is that there is nothing unusual about this Japanese sedan, but at the same time it is highly recommended for purchase by critics. Why? Almera is easy to use, unpretentious in maintenance and practical. All the owner needs to do is fill the tank with gasoline and enjoy the ride.

A high-quality gasoline engine is installed in the engine compartment, the best pair for which will be a 5-speed manual transmission. True, the car has weak dynamic characteristics, so Almera is more suitable for careful and leisurely trips.

6 most problem-free cars on the Russian secondary market

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Are there any problem-free cars? The kind that you buy and only change the oil and brake pads sometimes. Once every 5 years. Or better yet at 20.

There is no clear answer to this question. Sometimes seemingly infallible truths (“ Toyota doesn’t break ”) fail. For example, when you see leaking roofs and breaking robots on a Corolla in an E140 body, or endless transmission overhauls on a Camry (XV40) and Highlander with 3.5 (V6) engines. And, on the contrary, you are surprised when cars that seemed to have problems (“ These torn VAGs ” ) reach the second hundred thousand kilometers on their original units without visible problems.

From here there are several important theses and conclusions that are known to automotive experts, but are not always obvious to sofa experts:

• Nothing lasts forever.
• Any car can be broken/wear out.
• The condition of the car on the secondary market directly depends on the operation of the previous owner.

Nevertheless, there are cars on the Russian secondary market that cause few technical problems. What kind of vehicles these are and with what shoals you can buy them, we tell you in the article.

Hyundai Elantra (Avante) and Kia Cerato

Everything you once knew about the “Japanese” has long been applicable to their neighbors, the “Koreans.” And even more. The Hyundai-KIA concern has taken the best of both worlds (East/West) and made a symbiosis out of it. From the east we got quality and durability, from the west we got ergonomic solutions, the ability to work with space in the cabin and equipment. A small example. If not all “Japanese” cars still have automatic window lifters, then for Korean cars this has been the norm since 2010-2011.

And also (during normal use) their bodies do not rot, engines do not jam, bushings and silent blocks do not crumble. Except that the interior sometimes disappoints with “crickets” and abrasions after 3-4 years of use.

You should also be wary of “gray” cars imported from Korea, bypassing official dealers. There is a 1.8 GDI engine, which is demanding on fuel, and in Russia it is not always of the highest quality. You should also be afraid of careless sellers who hide the truth about their cars.

After analyzing 20 randomly selected reports on Elantra from the avtocod.ru database, we found out that only 7 cars do not have technical or legal problems.

Most of the cars were sold with an estimate for repair work and unpaid fines - 6 out of 20. 3 out of 20 were sold after an accident, the same number - with traffic police restrictions. Two cars were listed as collateral and two more had a duplicate title. One Elantra was offered with reduced mileage.

In total, over the past three months, the Hyundai Elantra has been checked 11,500 times. Among the checked cars there were quite “interesting” examples with a list of problems:

For Kia Cerato, 10,873 reports were ordered from February to April. Slightly more copies were given away without problems than the Elantra - 8 out of 20. 4 cars were used in taxis. One of the options with a taxi driver's past was sold after 4 accidents and with seven calculations for repair work:

4 cars out of 20 were listed as collateral and the same number had an accident. With the calculation of repair work, 7 options out of 20 were offered, the same number of Cerats were sold with unpaid fines. Restrictions on registration with the traffic police have been imposed on two cars.

Mitsubishi Lancer X and Outlander XL

Fundamentally different, but surprisingly identical in reliability, cars. Both are in demand on the secondary market. Through avtocod.ru, Outlander has been checked more than 11 thousand times over the past three months, and Lancer has been checked almost three times more - 31 thousand times.

Former owners hardly complain about the cars. There were cases of oil leakage in the Lancer X (failed oil scraper rings on 1.5 and 1.6 liter engines). After 100-150 thousand they complain about the variator bumps (Outlander XL until 2008). The price of this “complaint” is from 100 thousand rubles, but with proper care the variator can last over 150 thousand km (this also applies to Lancer X with 1.8 and 2.0 liter engines).

Otherwise, in terms of electrics, electronics and suspension, Mitsubishi cars are very reliable and durable. Yes, they are boring. Yes, you can’t challenge them to perform any dynamic feats. But when looking for a problem-free car, there is a high chance of finding something worthwhile. The main thing is to check the operating history.

Of the 20 Lancers, only 4 are sold clean. The most common problem among them is road accidents (13 out of 20). 6 out of 20 were given with the calculation of repair work, 5 out of 20 - with a duplicate title and 3 out of 20 - with unpaid fines.

We found one copy each in pawn and with a twisted mileage.

The Outlander XL is less popular aftermarket. Over the past three months, it has been checked a little more than 11 thousand times through Autocode. Most of the “Outlanders” were given with the expectation of repair work - 10 out of 20. 5 out of 20 had an accident and 4 each had unpaid fines, incorrect mileage and a duplicate title. Two crossovers had restrictions on registration with the traffic police. Five restrictions were imposed on this copy, possibly due to non-payment of fines, of which 18 thousand rubles had accumulated since 2016:

Only 4 Outlanders out of 20 turned out to have no problems.

VW Jetta Mk6 and Skoda Octavia A5

Not the most obvious candidates for the title of “problem-free car,” but still. German cars are a little better than people think. Their reputation has been greatly damaged by turbo engines and robotic transmissions, but this is not a reason to discount them altogether.

The Jetta can please you with its luxurious sound insulation, spacious interior, European steering and workmanship. “Octavia” will add to the above a phenomenal trunk. True, at the cost of sound insulation: the Jetta’s is much better.

Both cars should ideally be viewed with 1.6 MPI (atmospheric) engines and Aisin automatic transmissions. Contrary to popular belief, these units are not perfect. Motors have stuck piston rings and oil leaks, and the gearbox and valve body can die from the heat load. At the same time, 150-200 thousand trouble-free mileage with them can not only be expected, but also guaranteed.

When analyzing reports from the Autocode database, we found that only 3 out of 20 Jettas sold over the past three months did not have technical or legal problems. One model had five problems at once: two accidents, calculation of repair work, duplicate title, traffic police restrictions and unpaid fines:

Most of the VW Jetta Mk6 were given away with the expectation of repair work - 11 out of 20 and after an accident - 7 out of 20. Four cars each had restrictions on registration with the traffic police and unpaid fines. Two Jettas were offered with a copy of the title, one each was listed as a lease and a pledge. One copy was found after a taxi.

The Skoda Octavia A5 is less in demand on the secondary market than the Jetta. Over the past three months, it was checked only 951 times, and Jetta - almost 13.5 thousand times. At the same time, the Octavia is not inferior to the Jetta in terms of the number of problems. There were even such copies:

Only 5 cars out of 20 turned out to be the most problem-free. 10 out of 20 Octavias were sold with repair work in mind, five each were sold after an accident and with unpaid fines, and four were sold with a duplicate title. Two copies were offered with traffic police restrictions and reduced mileage, one each - after a taxi and in leasing.

This is our largely subjective view of the most problem-free cars. What do the experts who diagnose not one, not two, and sometimes even ten cars every day think?

Evgeny Loginov, director of the car selection and diagnostics company “My Expert”:

— Perhaps, I would give first and second place in terms of ease of problems to the Corolla in the 150 body and the Camry in the 50 body. Third and fourth are KIA Ceed, Cerato, Elantra and Hyundai i30. All these cars are on the same platform, so there is no point in dividing them. 5th place will rightfully be given to the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Jetta, but with a 1.6 engine on a classic automatic transmission. DSG and turbines do not shine with reliability.

Text: Vladimir Andrianov

What cars would you classify as problem-free? Share your opinion in the comments below the article.

most reliable used cars

Russian car enthusiasts, in order to find information about the quality and reliability of a used car of a certain brand, are forced to settle for the advice of acquaintances and friends, or dubious consultations at a car service center. There is no official rating of used cars in our country, but the need to obtain reliable operating history of various models, the number of recalls and breakdowns over a 3-5 year period has been ripe for a long time.

To correct this gap in the necessary information, experts combined several foreign ratings of used cars and compiled their own rating of the most popular models present on the domestic market. The basis is taken from the most popular American and European studies over the past period and the machines that showed the most impressive results. The study used materials from the following agencies:

• TÜV – association of technical supervision of Germany;
• DEKRA is a German company that carries out technical inspection of more than 10,000,000 cars per season;
• ADAC is a German motorists' club with 18,000,000 amateurs and professionals in its ranks;
• Warranty Direct is a UK organization that organizes information about cars received from insurers;
• Driver Power is another UK representative that obtains data on vehicle quality through a survey;
• Consumer Reports is an independent American organization that uses information about car breakdowns through surveys of more than 500,000 motorists;
• JD Power is an American organization that studies the statistics of motorists' calls for service, starting from three months of operation and up to three years of use.

For convenience, all studied models were divided into categories.

Leaders in reliability among compact passenger cars

1. Chevrolet Aveo (Sonic) JD Power
2. Honda Jazz (Fit)
3. Hyundai ix20
4. Mazda 2

Leaders in reliability among compact passenger cars

According to tests conducted in Germany, the USA and Great Britain, the Honda Jazz showed the best results, but this car, like the Chevrolet Aveo and Mazda 2, is currently not imported to Russia and can only be purchased on the secondary market. Hyundai ix20 was never officially supplied to the Russian Federation, so this model very rarely appears in sales catalogs.

Leaders in reliability among premium compact passenger cars

Leaders in reliability among premium compact passenger cars

1. AudiA1
2. Mini Hatch

Both cars are quite reliable, but, unfortunately, their supplies to the Russian market stopped after the crisis, and therefore the supply of these brands on the secondary market is limited.

The best compact crossovers with mileage

1. Dacia Duster
2. Mitsubishi ASX
3. Opel Mokka

The most reliable used car in the small crossover class is Duster. This brand is widespread and loved in the Russian Federation, but when choosing a car on the secondary market, it is better to opt for models produced in Romania; domestic assembly has its own characteristics. Mitsubishi ASX is considered a car that allows you to maintain a high residual value, but this model cannot be purchased new in the Russian Federation.

The best used C-class cars

1. Mazda 3
2. Mitsubishi Lancer
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Toyota Prius

Japanese manufacturers of golf-class cars are reliability leaders according to the classification of European and US analysts. The leader among reliable used cars in the UK was the Mitsubishi Lancer, which outperformed all competitors, including in terms of low maintenance costs. For Americans, the preferred model, which is considered one of the most reliable used cars , has become the Toyota Prius, and the Chevrolet Cruze has also begun to appear more and more often on the lists of reliable used cars in the United States.

The best premium class C cars

1. Audi A3
2. BMW 1
3. Lexus CT200h
4. Volvo C30

Mercedes representatives among the best used cars

The best C-class crossovers with mileage

1. Honda CR-V
2. Subaru Forester
3. Volkswagen Tiguan

The leaders of mentions among the best used cars among European analysts were the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan

Reliable used D-class cars

1. Honda Accord
2. Toyota Camry
3. Toyota Avensis
4. Volkswagen Passat

Despite the dominance of Japanese cars in the ranking, European brands of the premium segment easily win their rightful place in the list. Moreover, for five-year-old cars, the Toyota Avensis shows only 7.5% of breakdowns compared to 6% of the Volvo S60, although many experts attribute such a low figure to the build quality of the Japanese brand at UK factories.

The best models in the premium segment

1. Audi A4
2. Lexus IS
3. Mercedes C-Class
4. Volvo S60

The leader of the list showed breakdown statistics at the level of 5.6 out of the thousand cars produced in 2011.

Best used premium crossovers

1. Audi Q5
2. BMW X3
3. Lexus NX
4. Mercedes GLK

The leader in this group was the Audi Q5, which is in the top ten of the absolute rating and ranks 4th in it with a breakdown rate of 4.8% per 1000 cars. In addition to the leaders, Volvo XC60 and Acura RDX showed very good results.

The best brands of business class models with mileage

1. Audi A6
2. BMW 5
3. Lexus ES
4. Lexus GS

The winner of the rating took the lead by a large margin in all indicators in all analytical reviews. For Americans, Japanese models are preferable; Lexuses easily outperform both the Mercedes E-Class and the Audi A7.

The best large used SUVs

1. Lexus RX
2. Audi Q7
3. BMW X5
4. Mercedes ML

The list of reliable SUVs did not include the Porsche Cayenne, which is considered one of the most reliable cars, but, unfortunately, German manufacturers were unable to keep up with the leaders in the rating, although the car is certainly worthy of praise.

Leaders among used sports cars

1. Audi TT
2. Mazda MX-5
3. Mercedes SLK

It turned out that the most popular sports car in the world is also the leader in reliability among used cars of this class.

The conducted research will help in choosing a used car and, to some extent, will dispel the myths and stereotypes that have developed among Russian motorists.

Top 5 most reliable cars - we took everything into account!

Each of us has our own reliability rating, based on personal experience, stories from relatives, friends, acquaintances, read and seen on the Internet. Someone is sure that the most reliable are Japanese cars, another convinces that the “Japanese”, on the contrary, have lost ground and now the “Koreans rule”, and the “expert” laughs at them, believing that there was nothing better than the “Germans”, no and there won't be. After a little thought, everyone will name the “most reliable” brand. And when you tense up, you’re also a model.

However, all this is just a personal opinion. A more authoritative opinion comes from insurance and statistical agencies, large auto publications that study the reliability of cars using their own methods and regularly publish reports in the form of ratings. The most popular are TÜV Report; DEKRA Used Car Report; ADAC Car Reliability Ratings; Warranty Direct Reliability Index. Top 100 UK Cars; Consumer Reports: 10 Most Reliable Cars; Consumer Reports: 30 Best Used Cars; J.D. Power and Associates Dependability Study. These are German, British and American sources.

The compilers of the ratings not only survey owners of cars of different years of production, but also analyze recall campaigns, insurance cases, and the service history of each car. For example, the German Technical Supervision Association (TUV) collects data on ten million cars year after year, and each car is assessed on hundreds of parameters. Another German car inspection agency (DEKRA) has a sample one and a half times larger. The ADAC automobile club has 18 million members from different European countries. This is a huge amount of data that allows us to identify, among other things, the real percentage of breakdowns (malfunctions).

We have to compare the available ratings and exclude models that are not sold in Russia. The rest can be counted on one hand – that’s why we don’t divide them into classes. Yes, it is clear that some of them differ from European and especially American versions, so we are talking about the general level of reliability, regardless of the place of production and market.

We take into account that we, in Russia, have special operating conditions. And we remember the words of Winston Churchill about three types of lies (lies, damned lies and statistics). Therefore, the resulting rating is not only informational, but also entertaining.

Reliability is the property of an object to maintain over time, within established limits, the values ​​of all parameters characterizing the ability to perform required functions in given modes and conditions of use, maintenance, storage and transportation (www.wikipedia.org)

5th and 4th places. Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4

Japanese crossovers are the best answer to the “armchair experts” who assure that “the Japanese are not the same anymore.” Eternal competitors Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 invariably occupy good places in reliability ratings - usually not among the leaders, but somewhere in the middle. Thus, in the latest TUV rating, the Honda CR-V is in 21st place with 4% breakdowns per 43 thousand kilometers. The Toyota RAV4 has exactly the same percentage of breakdowns per 35 thousand, and the crossover is in 23rd place. In the UK Cars Top 100, both models appear in the middle of the rankings, with the Honda CR-V having a higher reliability rating than the Toyota RAV4.

And in the What Car? In the SUV class, on the contrary, these competitors took the lead, having swapped places. In first place is the RAV4 with 99.5% reliability, in second place is the gasoline CR-V 2012-2018 with 98.7%. In any case, both are worthy of consideration as candidates for acquisition. And in order not to be disappointed in all the reliability ratings at once, do not skimp on a thorough comprehensive diagnosis of the car you like.

3rd place. Audi Q3

In the TUV rating, the Audi crossover ranks fifth with a surprisingly low percentage of breakdowns - 2.9% per 44 thousand km. Last year, the Q3 was ranked number one by JDPower and Associates in the compact premium crossover class. This makes the Q3 an attractive purchase (if you have at least 2.3 million to spend on such a car). The Audi Q3 also occupies a good position in the What Car? – third place in the family SUV class. But clarification is required here: we are talking about cars with gasoline engines. The diesel version was only in 15th place. However, this is already exotic for us.

2nd place. Lexus GX

The long-lived reliability rating is the mid-size premium SUV Lexus GX, the “brother” of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with a gasoline V8. It is named a leader by both JD Power and Associates and Consumer Reports, noting that it is noticeably ahead of its closest competitors. And the brand itself is leading in American reliability ratings for the ninth year in a row. By the way, in the current JD Power ranking it is followed by Porsche. And in the same class the GX is followed by the RX. Another Lexus, the ES, leads the compact premium car category.

Alas, in our country, few people can afford an SUV with an almost 300-horsepower engine, with a price of under 5 million. And those who drive these in Russia will most likely confirm the words of their American colleagues. I wonder if the new generation of SUV, which recently began selling in Russia, will be just as reliable? As they say, time will tell. Most likely, yes, since the main components of the car remain the same.

1st place. Porsche 911

In the TUV rating, the German sports car ranks first with 2.5% breakdowns with an average mileage of 26 thousand kilometers. Yes, a little for three years. But, firstly, few people even in Germany drive a Porsche every day, and secondly, 911s are clearly not purchased for “vegetable” driving, and with such a load, the mileage can easily be tripled.

What is especially important: the 911 has been at the top of reliability ratings for many years. But what’s even more important is that this model leads the ranking among older cars: from 4 to 5 years, from 6 to 7 years, from 8 to 9 years, from 10 to 11 years. So if you ever save up for a Porsche like this, buy it at least ten years old. Moreover, the owners of this model almost never skimp on maintenance - which also has a positive effect on the reliability rating. Or rather, it is the key to a leading position, along with the quality of components, assembly, and after engineering solutions that ensure reliability.

And in the Top 100 UK Cars ranking, Porsche 911 997 earned a low rating - due to the cost of repairs, which, according to the British, affects the perception of a car as reliable or unreliable. And a car that often breaks down, but is simple and cheap to repair, may seem quite reliable - that is, it retains its properties for a long time, the main thing of which is the ability to drive. As they say, everyone has their own truth.

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