Poll, From Your Exp, What Is The Most Reliable Car?

Volvoboy

So from our collective experence what is the most reliable car, think of it as the Top Gear poll execpt with alot more hate rid towards Reanault (just kidding)



-VB-

crosstownk

Most anything Japanese is fairly reliable. I'd be inclined to go for Toyota for two reasons:-

1) They rarely breakdown.
2) If they do breakdown, the dealer network take it seriously unlike VW dealers, Renault dealers, Mercedes dealers, and others I couldn't be ar$ed mentioning.

If I had to choose a reliable European manufacturer I'd be inclined to go for the good people in Munich (BMW).

VB, why didn't you set up a proper poll?

EDIT: By the time I posted this you had the poll sorted. Grand cake, Nora!

drdre

I think vw, are the most reliable as i have used them alot

gyppo

I'd echo what CrosstownK posted wrt the Japs. Except I'd place Mazda at the top place for reliability, closely followed by Toyota, based on ownership experience.

peasant

Four years driving a used SUZUKI Jimny*...nothing ...nada ...nix, other than routine maintenance and a tired seatbelt retractor.

*Breaks your spine, but not the bank

Volvoboy

For me it's nissan, done 12k service miles and never missed a beat, couldnt recomend them enough.



-VB-

Guy:Incognito

Personnally its Renault. Out of the 5 cars I've had, 3 were renault and the other 2 were Honda accords (albeit 1 was a rover 620, but same car). The honda and rover had issues with the central locking (rear door wouldnt open on both) and the accord overheated and burned oil. Have had no non-maintenance issues with the Renaults although I am anal aout my car so I've changed a few bits on my safrane because of scuffs/scratches etc.

cavanmaniac

Anything Japanese really. Wander along a taxi rank and what you see in the majority there will tell you all you need to know.

VW have lost alot of their sheen in recent years, as have Mercedes. Both had a bullet proof reputation for reliability once upon a time but anecdotally the word is getting through to Joe Punter that they're not such a surefire bet anymore. It's happening slower in Ireland where we still buy VW by the lorry load but the message will eventually seep through...

Gary ITR

Where is the renault on the list?

Most reliable I've had has been Ford, found the dealer great too(Tallaght Ford, Peter in the service dept is a legend)

Never had the pleasure of driving a jap car for any decent amount of time

Kojak

VW would get my vote, although I drove a Citroen Xantia for a few years and I never had any trouble with it.

wanabe

has to be vw for me too!

crosstownk

Onkle wrote:

Tallaght Ford, Peter in the service dept is a legend

Damn right. I had a lot of dealings with Peter when he used to work in Fort Motors. An absolute legend alright.

colm_mcm

er.... something Japanese

kdevitt

Well my last two BMW's have been more reliable that the 5 Hondas I had so...

colm_mcm

I fear this poll won't be an accurate reflection on the reality.
Nobody has had every brand of car (with the possible exception of Junkyard!) It'd be a bit like asking people what brand of car they drive at the moment, it wouldn't be proportional to the amounts of each car on the road.

bazz26

I voted Toyota based on my personal experiences. I have had 3 over the years.

I have covered 140k miles on my current Avensis from new and the ownership experience has been mostly painless.

Agree too with a previous post about their excellent after sales service which alot of other car makers seem to lack these days.

Parents have a 98 peugot 406 that has never given a whiff of trouble.

A 92 toyota corolla diesel that only needed a clutch and fuel pump in its whole life was finally scrapped recently.

I know someone who has a mkV golf that has given nothing but trouble.

I think its a bit hard to pick one manufacturer as they all have their troublesome models. And even some marques like BMW and VW who were renouned for their reliability in the past are doing poorly in vehicle break down tables.

Volvoboy

I disagree, CmcM, i'm put a poll in for people's experence of cars, not which car's they prefer or are driving at the moment.



-VB-

copacetic

very surprised ford isn't a poll option..

bazz26

copacetic wrote:

very surprised ford isn't a poll option..

Indeed, especially since they are probably more reliable these days than some other makes.

Volvoboy

copacetic wrote:

very surprised ford isn't a poll option..

*sigh*


I make no lie's about it i didnt think the options through enough, FFS i did'nt even put Volvo in!



-VB-

crosstownk

I've a fleet of 1500 cars and the fact that the VW Group are ahead is just so far from the truth.

Gary ITR

Just a note on the VW Golf V, I drove on as a company car for a good while(company in their wisdom got the 1.4 petrol even though most of us doing 30000-40000kms a year) and it didn't give me a spot of bother, it was an 04 and I handed it back with over 60000kms on the clock last summer.

Strong car too, I was caught up in that mess when the guy stole the bus and went on a gta type rampage in dublin, a woman in an audi ran into the back of me when getting out of the way of the bus and smashed up her car on my bumper (no tow bar) my car only had a scratch and her a3 was in tatters

crosstownk

crosstownk wrote:

I've a fleet of 1500 cars and the fact that the VW Group are ahead is just so far from the truth.

Bet alot of them are turbo failures on the diesels. The new VAG models seem to have terrible problems with their turbos.

Accoding to a recovery truck driver brand new BMWs are an all too regular appearence on the back of tow trucks.

unkel

The nearly new Nissan Primera I used to own in the late 90s was unreliable. And I measure that against the standard reliability of cars when I learned to drive - that is say a Renault 5. I've owned old BMWs since that Nissan and the old BMWs have proved to be far more reliable than new Nissans

In my case...

I'm not voting on this anyway as a few experiences here and there are merely anecdotal - they don't prove anything.

crosstownk

ronoc wrote:

Bet alot of them are turbo failures on the diesels. The new VAG models seem to have terrible problems with their turbos.

Yeah I've had some turbos fail, but most VW diesels end up on a tow truck due to fuel pump failure. Since January I'd say I've had 30 Passats recovered because of fuel pump problems.

colm_mcm

Volvoboy wrote:

I disagree, CmcM, i'm put a poll in for people's experence of cars, not which car's they prefer or are driving at the moment.
-VB-

I think you misread my post. What I'm saying is the option with the most votes won't necessarilly be the most reliable car. (I mean VW is winning now FFS! and they're not reliable, they're just built solidly. look at the stats!)

For example, Honda would be up there with Toyota for reliability, but nissan are beating Honda in this poll. even though Nissan is probably the one of the least reliable "Japanese" manufacturers)

JHMEG

colm_mcm wrote:

For example, Honda would be up there with Toyota for reliability, but nissan are beating Honda in this poll. even though Nissan is probably the one of the least reliable "Japanese" manufacturers)

Agreed. Leaving out the inferior* makes, there is a pecking order, and Nissan are not at the top.

Also Skoda are dragging the bad name of VW up, so you can't lump Audi (bad), VW (worse) and Skoda (quite good) in the one group.

*All the non-Japanese manufacturers, and also not Porsche.

ambro25

Can't believe you left out Subaru (any model), after a decade spent in the top 10 of the TopGear/JD reliability survey.

Reliability streets ahead of anything non-Japanese, and giving old Toyota and Honda a good run for their money to boot!

Built like panzers, yet with all the fun and driveability of a sportscar, the practicality of a saloon/estate... and 4WD!

Now on my second, wouldn't dream of going European (or any other brand)ever again.

For the record, my vote is based on ownership (not in order) of: Citroën (lots), Fiat (Brava), Hyundai (Scoupe), Ford (Fiesta & Puma), Lancia (Delta 1500LX and Integrale), Mazda (MX-5), Honda (CRX & Civic), Renault (Clio), VW (Golf Mk3), Subaru (Impreza, now on second one).

In terms of reliability, I'd rank the above in terms of reliability from worst to best (first-hand experience) as:

Fiat (worst by a country mile, but I concede it could have been a 'bad egg')
Lancia
Renault
VW - Citroën (ex-aequo)
Ford
Honda
Hyundai
Mazda
Subaru

My €0,02

ciarsd

This thread should be renamed, so whats your favourite Marque (usually your current mode of transport). Gotta love the allegiance being shown

fits

Cars I've owned/driven
1991 Jetta solid and reliable as anything. brilliant car
1995 Carina same as Jetta
1992 Renault 19 horrible car really. not the worst for reliability though
1995 Vectra engine was really on the way out after just over 120000 miles.
1992 Scirocco pretty much everything has been replaced, but we can forgive it that cos its good fun.. and its got 175000 miles on it.
1994 Passat engine was great.. everything else was broken pretty much, 250000 miles on it
1998 Passat (dad's car) niggly things going wrong with it, mainly electrics.
1999 Mazda 323 watch this space... v happy so far.

So I've voted Toyota... but the Jetta was just as good. Unfortunately all the other vws I've come across havent worn as well. V surprised that they're doing so well in the poll.

prospect

ciarsd wrote:

This thread should be renamed, so whats your favourite Marque (usually your current mode of transport). Gotta love the allegiance being shown

Yeah, LOL...

I could only afford X car,
or
I bought X car cause it looks nice,

And therefore it is now the most reliable, and best car ever built.


Personally, based on experience of our company fleet, and reliability index results, I would guess that the top three most reliable are:

1. Skoda (not the VW group, Just Skoda)
2. Honda
3. Mazda

How anyone can say Nissans are ultra reliable and Renaults are not completely escapes me :rolleyes:

ambro25

ciarsd wrote:

This thread should be renamed, so whats your favourite Marque (usually your current mode of transport). Gotta love the allegiance being shown

Well, if that was obliquely directed at me - not really, as even if I didn't own one, I'd have voted and posted exactly the same. Trawl yourself over to Top Gear or JDD websites, and check the results year-on-year if you feel like it, witness brands going up and down over the years: there aren't that many which consistently inhabit the top 10.

It was a big factor in tipping me over 3 years ago, and (at the time) for a 7 year old car (2L impreza) with 59k, 5 previous owners and a not-as-complete history as I'd have liked (but a rock bottom price and the OK from Mr RAC and HPI), and (at the time still) expecting it last a bout a year max (before big bills and/or back on my feet to buy something 'nicer'), I've only just changed it a couple of month ago, aged 10 and 84k, after 3 years of twice-a-year bog standard servicing (oil/filters) and just-put-petrol in it, never even needed new tyres or pads.

To me, that's entirely and absolutely lived up to the hype, and I'd still have more faith doing the Dublin-Holyhead-South Yorkshire trip in that at age 10 (and pedal to the metal all the way, btw) than in a 2 year old Fiat or VW. So it gets my vote, can't be fairer can it?

I could have put mazda at the top, because the MX-5 has given us nothing but peace-of-minf motoring for... Christ on a bike! 7 years now! Same story as the Scoob, bog-standard servicing twice a year, just-put petrol-in-it, and I've been worriedly asking the mechanic every service to check the bloody pads (never changed since 2000!), and every time same answer: they're grand, no need to change them. Changing tyres this year for the 1st time, even though there's still a good few millimeters to go before the used-up mark. But then we've only done about 30k in it over the period, so to me it hasn't demonstrated reliability to the same extent as the Scoob.

redman

Where's Alfa?

ciarsd

ambro25 wrote:

Well, if that was obliquely directed at me - not really, as even if I didn't own one, I'd have voted and posted exactly the same.

Not at all ambro :cool: I would've quoted you otherwise - just making an observation when reading this thread in it's entirety

ambro25

Fair do's

galwaytt

ambro........I was just wondering the same thing.........our '5 hasn't been fixed since.............well, actually, ever !! 9 years now, iirc..........

And Mazda always score well, so why no Mazda on the list?? Enquiring minds want to know !!

fits

The lever to open fuel tank on parent's VW has stopped working today and they're low on diesel. Added to central locking failing, indicators working when they feel like it, and other niggly stoopid problems.
Its really annoying, I would not recommend an older VW to anyone (its a 98).

Mc-BigE

The car that you know is the most reliable car isn't always the car you'll end up buying/driving.

Reliable cars are a bit like going to bed with a Nun, yah shes a women, but would ya? :eek:

Give me the good looker, high maintenance, "run away with your friend" type any day! a bit like Alfa's

Tabnabs

We had a 93 Opel Corsa in the family for 12 years and never had a days problem with it. Only thing ever needed work on was one rusty windcreen wiper...

Great little car.

copacetic

Mc-BigE wrote:

The car that you know is the most reliable car isn't always the car you'll end up buying/driving.

Reliable cars are a bit like going to bed with a Nun, yah shes a women, but would ya? :eek:

Give me the good looker, high maintenance, "run away with your friend" type any day! a bit like Alfa's

not at all true, surely the car you buy must be attractive but reliable.

you don't want a stunner than is only up for it every now and again as she is always in getting fixed and out of action. you want one that is ready to go for you every day: morning, noon and night..

junkyard

I've never had any major problems with BMW and I'm on my 10th one as my own car at this stage, I'd say Honda should be good too from the ones I've sold and never had any come backs with them and Toyota are o.k. The same can't be said for VW, Mercedes, Renault or Opel's as far as I'm concerned.

OldmanMondeo

Mc-BigE wrote:

Reliable cars are a bit like going to bed with a Nun, yah shes a women, but would ya? :eek:

Young nun or Mother Thresa?

I have had 2 opels, 84 and 89 Kaddetts, both 1.2. No problems, 84 had 125k on clock, 89 had 80k, but clutch was worn.
1 Honda, Jap impt civic 92 1.5vti, 1.5 vtec, 30k-70k, I burn the clutch out, ohh those V-tec days....
1 Renault, Megane 98 1.4 (no not injected), Never ever ever again. Would start on a wet day. Sent to main dealer to fix problem, they couldn't find said problem.
3 Fords, 1 2000 Focus 1.6i Ghia, excellent car, some minor problems that were covered under warrenty, 2 Mondeos 01 and 02 1.8i Zetec, Some minor problems covered under warrenty with 01, well apart from the water pump going at 24k, Current one, touch wood, has yet to give trouble.
Basically, if you want to buy European, don't buy French, To many problems.

neacy69

Alfa Romeo!!

layke

redman wrote:

Where's Alfa?

From my personal experience, Jap cars are hard to beat. I can't say which one is the most reliable out of the lot because i'd have to see the stats but they beat the **** out of the Euro competition.

what_car

colm_mcm wrote:

I fear this poll won't be an accurate reflection on the reality.
Nobody has had every brand of car (with the possible exception of Junkyard!) It'd be a bit like asking people what brand of car they drive at the moment, it wouldn't be proportional to the amounts of each car on the road.

japanese for a start..

1.. Honda built in japan better build quaility than number 2 - the difference in build quality is noticeable

2.. toyota ( had a fair few new toyotas over the years they dont have the same build quality since they started building them in uk) but reliable all the same..

omega man

You really should have Skoda on its own. Vag as a group option is unfair to Skoda!
See JD power survey 2007.

http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=225557&EL=3196982

Biro

what_car wrote:

japanese for a start..

1.. Honda built in japan better build quaility than number 2 - the difference in build quality is noticeable

2.. toyota ( had a fair few new toyotas over the years they dont have the same build quality since they started building them in uk) but reliable all the same..

I would agree with this.
Going by experience on my family and friends and there has been a LOT of cars through the years VW used be reliable, but not anymore. Plenty of 98 upwards Passat and Golf and Polo problems. (However the old diesel jetta... maybe it was just too simple and boring to break down!!). Toyota were fantastic, but not in the last 7 or 8 years. More so in the last 5. Not unreliable now, but definately gone off the top. Skoda are good, but have some electrical faults, nothing major. Audi - unreal poor.. only one I know of that gave no problems yet, a 3 litre A6 diesel. Fiat - good few in the family through the years dating back to the 70's, overall quite good, few screws falling off, buttons not working, but nothing major. A fuse or two, but thats it. Peugeot - 405 good except for that coolant problem causing overheating, and a 106 that wasn't the best. Honda - zero problems. Mazda - zero problems. BMW, couple of problems.
I'd rate Honda no. 1 and Mazda no. 2. I'd consider it tight between Skoda and Toyota for 3rd. (I own a Toyota). I would also be willing to bet that any Honda problems that people have had would be with non-jap built ones!

Marcus.Aurelius

1. Lexus
2. Mazda
3. Honda
4. Toyota (not the british built ones)
5. Nissan

If it ain't built in Japan, forget it. Skoda are good, but not in the same league, they do have a lot of electrical niggles (Our Fleet)

8,353,874. Ford, Renault, Alfa, Citroen, Rover (joint)
8,353,875. Fiat!

.Longshanks.

I voted Honda as i had two 3 door Civics - a '94 and and '03. Put up about 65k miles between the two of them and never a single problem - not even a punchure! The first flew through 2 NCT's but i've a Opel now cos Honda don't do a diesel civic:(

JHMEG

Longshanks100 wrote:

i've a Opel now cos Honda don't do a diesel civic:(

Yes they do/did, just not in Ireland. You'd have to go up north or to the UK:
96-00: 5-dr hatchback with Rover 2 litre (avoid)
01-06: 3 and 5 door with Isuzu 1.7 TD, as also used by Opel. Nice engine as diesels go.
Current model: Honda's own 2.2 TD, available here.