Reliability is a critical factor for car buyers. A dependable vehicle minimizes unexpected repairs, reduces ownership costs, and provides peace of mind. But which cars were the most reliable in 2017? This guide dives into a comprehensive reliability survey conducted that year, revealing the top brands and models across various categories.
2017 Car Reliability Survey: Methodology and Results
A survey of 14,208 car owners assessed vehicle reliability based on reported faults within the past year. The survey encompassed 32 brands and 169 models, categorizing issues into 14 groups: battery, bodywork, brakes, engine, engine electrics, exhaust, exterior lights, fuel system, gearbox/clutch, interior trim, non-engine electrics, steering, suspension, and “other.”
Factors considered included time spent off the road due to repairs (ranging from less than a day to over a week) and repair costs (from free warranty fixes to exceeding £1500). Scores were weighted to emphasize problems incurring higher costs and longer repair times.
Most Reliable Car Brands in 2017
The survey results highlighted Japanese and Korean manufacturers as leaders in reliability.
| Rank | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 92.1% |
| 2 | Mitsubishi | 90.8% |
| 3 | Toyota | 89.6% |
| 4 | Suzuki | 86.6% |
| 5 | Alfa Romeo | 85.8% |
Surprisingly, premium European brands like Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo ranked lower in overall reliability.
Most Reliable Cars by Category in 2017
The survey further categorized reliability by vehicle type, revealing top performers in each segment. Several models achieved perfect 100% reliability scores, including the Audi A3 Saloon, Honda Jazz, Lexus CT200h, and Toyota Aygo.
City Cars
Toyota Aygo led the city car category, followed by the Kia Picanto and Skoda Citigo.
Small Cars
The Honda Jazz dominated the small car segment, with the Toyota Yaris and Audi A1 Sportback also performing well.
Family Cars
The Lexus CT 200h topped the family car rankings, followed by the Honda Civic and Hyundai i30.
SUVs
The Volkswagen Tiguan diesel led in the small SUV category, while the Mitsubishi Outlander topped the large SUV rankings.
MPVs
The Ford B-Max proved most reliable among MPVs, with the Ford C-Max also scoring highly.
Luxury Cars
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class led the luxury car category, followed by the Audi A6.
Electric Vehicles
The Nissan Leaf achieved the highest reliability score among electric vehicles.
Common Car Problems in 2017
Non-engine electrical faults were the most frequently reported issues, particularly with air conditioning and satellite navigation systems. Some lower-ranking models experienced significant mechanical problems requiring costly repairs.
Conclusion
This 2017 reliability survey offers valuable insights for used car buyers. While Japanese and Korean brands generally excelled, reliability varied significantly across models and categories. Considering these findings can help inform purchasing decisions and guide buyers toward dependable vehicles.
