When it comes to buying a used car, there are often a range of factors that are taken into consideration, such as price, mileage, engine size, and even colour. However, there are few factors more crucial than reliability. After all – no one wants a car that is constantly breaking down and spending more time with mechanics than with you!
Below, we reveal the top 10 most reliable used car makes and models of 2020 so you can be sure you are buying a trustworthy vehicle that is not going to cost you the earth to keep on the road.
Our expert data analysts have created their latest Reliability Index using their extended warranty data – which takes into consideration several factors, including frequency of repairs and repair costs – to give each vehicle an overall score out of 100.
Here’s our top 10 most reliable used car makes
We have listed the top 10 most reliable car makes below and it’s no surprise to see that Japanese manufacturers Honda, Lexus and Toyota dominate the top 3!
The notoriously reliable Honda tops the list in position 1 with an overall score of almost 90 out of 100 on the Reliability Index! While at the opposite end of the scale, luxurious marques such as Bentley and Ferrari make up the top 10 least reliable used car makes.
Lexus follows closely behind in 2nd position with slightly fewer repairs than Honda and Toyota, but as the more luxurious car brand of the three – the average repair cost for a Lexus is unsurprisingly almost double that of its 1st and 3rd place counterparts at £937.57!
The rest of the list is mainly dominated by Japanese and South Korean manufacturers, but other manufacturers from Germany, Romania, Italy and France have also made their way into the top 10 to be listed as the most reliable – a great effort!
Coming in last place is Renault – not far behind Fiat – but with a higher percentage of repairs and the highest repair frequency of all the cars in the top 10, it was an inevitable last place for this French manufacturer.
| Pos. | Make | Avg. Mileage | Avg. Repair Cost |
Overall Score /100 |
| 1 | Honda | 56752 | £538.59 | 89.38 |
| 2 | Lexus | 65674 | £937.57 | 88.96 |
| 3 | Toyota | 54196 | £596.44 | 87.02 |
| 4 | Suzuki | 41291 | £580.86 | 81.83 |
| 5 | Dacia | 40968 | £511.42 | 81.12 |
| 6 | Hyundai | 56871 | £516.60 | 75.28 |
| 7 | Smart | 31241 | £385.16 | 74.73 |
| 8 | Kia | 61839 | £526.23 | 73.65 |
| 9 | Fiat | 45199 | £529.91 | 72.01 |
| 10 | Renault | 59679 | £574.46 | 67.82 |
When it comes to reliability, Japanese manufacturers are clearly the experts, dominating the top 3 most reliable used car models!
1. Lexus RX
The Lexus RX tops the list for the most reliable used car model according to Warrantywise with no recorded faults – impressive!
The average warranty cost for this model is around £58 per month*. Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
2. Honda Jazz
According to Warrantywise repair data, the most common faults with the Honda Jazz are relating to the brakes, clutch and suspension. However, the Jazz has reasonably average repair costs which further adds to its appeal – if something goes wrong, it is not going to break the bank to put right!
The average warranty cost for this model is around £35.14 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
3. Mitsubishi ASX
The Mitsubishi ASX is the model taking 3rd place in the top 10 most reliable used car models, with a slightly higher average repair cost than that of the Honda Jazz, but with fewer faults on record.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £74.21 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
4. Dacia Sandero
Just missing out on a place in the top 3, is the Dacia Sandero – a reliable car with a fairly low frequency of repairs. According to Warrantywise repair data, the main issues encountered with the Dacia Sandero are electrical faults.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £67.57 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
5. Mazda 2
The Mazda 2 comes in closely behind the Dacia Sandero, but with a higher number of repairs, including issues with the suspension, starter motor and fuel system.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £55.24 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
6. Volkswagen UP!
The Volkswagen UP! comes in 6th position with a relatively low number of repairs, mostly relating to the clutch, brakes and drive shaft.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £43.71 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
7. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is known to be reliable, as far as electric vehicles go. However, if there are repairs required to this model, the average repair cost tends to be higher than that of the other models in the top 10 and naturally, tend to relate to the electrics, with some repairs relating to the mirror assembly.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £63.85 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
8. Lexus CT
According to the Warrantywise Reliability Index, the Lexus CT hybrid has a reasonably low number of repairs, but this is counteracted by slightly above average repair costs. Repair data indicates the most common issues for this vehicle relate to the EGR valve, heater fan motor and mirror assembly.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £69.42 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
9. Ford Ecosport
The Ford Ecosport comes in 9th place, closely chasing the Lexus CT. According to Warrantywise, the most common repairs on this vehicle relate to the thermostat housing.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £58.71 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
10. Suzuki Alto
The Suzuki Alto claims 10th place with one of the highest repair claim frequency rates in the top 10 list, including issues relating to the gearbox, clutch and CV joint. However, the good news with the Alto is the slightly below average repair costs if an issue does occur.
The average warranty cost for this model is around £47.99 per month*.
Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save!
Want to see more? Check out the Top 10 Least Reliable Used Cars to see which makes and models are the most likely to break down.
Warrantywise is the only warranty company to release a live paid repairs list online, enabling customers to see the most common issues with their car and how much these can cost to fix. After all – even the most reliable cars can have unexpected faults!
Warrantywise cover all makes and models, with warranty prices starting from as little as £19 per month! Get your quick quote now!
NB: Warrantywise does not release data for cars unless it has a minimum of 100 vehicles as a sample amount. This data relates to repairs between 01/01/2018 and 30/04/2020 and may not represent the reliability of new vehicles as the cars Warrantywise has on cover are all over 3 years old.
*The warranty prices shown are based on an 08/80 level of cover, with a £50p/h labour cost, £100 voluntary contribution and a £3,000 repair limit.