Japanese cars are the most reliable
THE most reliable second-hand cars are made in Japan and Korea, according to a new survey.
But although European cars are more prone to faults, the cost of repairing them is cheaper, the survey by What Car? magazine and warranty firm Warranty Direct found.
Honda topped the most reliable used car table, which was based on the number of faults occurring in a year for cars between three and eight years of age.
Toyota was the second most reliable second-hand car, followed by Suzuki, Lexus, Mitsubishi and Mazda.
According to the survey, there was only a 9pc chance of a Honda having a fault a year.
In contrast, there was a 55pc chance of a fault in a Land Rover, which was bottom, in the reliability table.
At the foot of the table were Saab, (in 32nd place), Renault (33rd) and Alfa Romeo (34th).
However, Renault was one of the cheapest cars to repair, with average repair costs of £242.22. Only Fiat (£241.63) had cheaper repair costs.
What Car? editor Chas Hallett said: "This year's study is a stark reminder of the disparity in reliability between Far Eastern brands, which dominate the top 10, and European brands, which contribute the bulk of the bottom 10."
hnews@herald.ie
- Peter Woodman
