How is the degree of reliability of a car determined?
It's no secret that some used cars turn out to be more wear-resistant than budget models from the showroom. And if you purchase a vehicle from trusted people or through the trade-in system, then the risks become minimal.
Reliable cars can last longer because they can withstand numerous repairs.
Among other things, the reliability and wear resistance of the main elements and working units are necessarily analyzed. Among them:
- The body of the car, which should not only be resistant to mechanical damage, but also to corrosive changes (ideally, give preference to galvanized models, especially if you happen to live in the northern regions, where the frame begins to quickly rot even without serious damage, most negatively affecting the general condition car).
- Chassis. In countries with total off-road conditions, it is necessary to pay attention to the endurance of the chassis almost in the first place, since repairing this system and maintaining it in good condition is not cheap. It also takes into account the car’s ability to operate with different brands of fuel, including the most budget-friendly ones, since for systems that are too delicate, such interaction can be disastrous.
- Power plant and working units. Replacing these elements is even more expensive, so before purchasing, be sure to monitor the features of the engine, gearbox, transfer case and other important components for strength.
- Control and electronics. The car must be maneuverable and stable on the road, because driving is always a risk, and on a low-quality model it only increases. In addition, comfortable cars with an ergonomic dashboard, the correct layout of all controls and a spacious trunk are valued.
- Interior. The equipment and appearance of the interior also play an important role, because who would want to drive a pretty shabby car at the price of a salon state-priced car.
It is important to remember that the longer the mileage and service life, the higher the likelihood that the car will begin to “crumble”. However, expensive and high-quality cars have a much more impressive margin of safety than public sector cars after several years of operation.
Top 10 most “unkillable” cars according to experts
So, the top ten most “indestructible” cars, compiled based on expert opinion, look like this. Let's start from tenth place and work our way up to first.
Toyota Camry
Our rating opens with the famous “Japanese” Toyota Camry. According to many experts, this car best meets the term “indestructible” . Camry is distinguished by the strength and reliability of all its components and parts (when choosing a car, most consumers buy it, since the number of reports of Camry breakdowns is very small). Even if you purchase this Toyota model in used condition, the likelihood of a breakdown is very small. Change the oil regularly, change the lamps in the headlights, and the rest rarely becomes unusable. In order for the car to serve for a long time and without repairs, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules of its operation.
Porsche
Porsche is in ninth place in our ranking, and it is quite difficult to single out specific models. For many decades, German manufacturers have been producing equipment of the highest quality.
According to the authoritative automobile club ADAC, the number of breakdowns per hundred new cars for Porsche is one of the lowest not only in Europe, but also in the world. The automotive community TUV conducted a study of one hundred used cars. The best performance was found in the 911, Boxter, and Cayenne.
Lexus
The eighth place in the top ten belongs to the products of the famous Lexus corporation.
Its cars are mainly of the executive class, distinguished by the highest quality, the ability to reach high speeds, and also an interesting design. It is not surprising that many representatives of show business and major entrepreneurs have been obsessed with Lexus for almost two decades.
It is no coincidence that the car gained such popularity. The owner of the brand is Toyota Motor Corporation, which during its existence has repeatedly shown its readiness to become the leader of the European market along with its giants - BMW and Mercedes. Lexus is distinguished by a low number of breakdowns and a wide network of branded service centers throughout Russia.
Audi A5 and A4
Audi (models A5 and A4) is in seventh place in our top ten.
The guarantee that these cars made it into the Top 10 were legends widespread among car enthusiasts, which are mainly dedicated to its “indestructible” suspension.
Introduced to the market more than ten years ago, the Audi A5 model practically did not leave the top 10 of the main automobile departments during all this time. Consumers note the excellent wheels, reliable braking system and suspension, as well as the impeccable assembly of this car. As experts assure, the characteristics of this model will allow you to overcome Russian off-road conditions without any problems.
Volvo
Volvo cars, occupying sixth place in our top ten, many years ago acquired the status of legend among the most “indestructible” cars.
Surf the Internet and you will find a great variety of different video evidence of this. The names of many of them sound like this: “Indestructible Volvo.”
The brand from Sweden has become very popular among tens of millions of car owners, not only due to the highest quality assembly, but also to the advancement of its models . There is, however, one “but”. The price of various branded spare parts, as well as the cost of maintenance, is quite high. You should consider this before purchasing. But the costs incurred once at the service center will probably pay off, so you won’t need to go there again soon.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class series
Fifth place in the rating belongs to one of the most expensive cars to repair and maintain, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class series.
Yes, repairing this car will cost you a pretty penny, but you won’t have to do it again anytime soon. The fact is that the impeccable quality of models from Germany has long been known throughout the world, so in terms of “indestructibility” Mercedes could take the leading position in our top ten. Very high prices for maintenance are dragging down. Although it is worth noting that when purchasing an expensive car, a person should know that the expenses for its maintenance will be considerable.
Minivan Ford C-Max
In fourth place is the compact minivan Ford C-Max.
The American company Ford that produces it has long and confidently gained a foothold in the European automobile market and is a serious competitor to its main players. In addition, according to official statistics, the C-Max is one of the best cars for daily driving around the city and to work, as well as family trips.
One should not discount the fact that in 2007 the Ford C-Max was recognized as the safest car of the year, since there is a wide network of branded service centers where excellent quality of service is combined with a long warranty period.
Volkswagen Polo
Who is the main automotive power: Japan or Germany? Adherents of the neat and methodical German automobile industry will definitely point to the Volkswagen Polo and note that it combines all the advantages of German cars. Indeed, it is a kind of calling card of the Volkswagen brand. It was thanks to this car that it managed to survive the difficult times that followed the diesel scandal without losing the entire market.
The car features responsive handling and almost unbreakable electronic components. A breakdown of a Volkswagen Polo is an extremely rare occurrence, and the prices for original spare parts are almost comparable to those of a VAZ. It is reliability, maintainability, as well as quite reasonable maintenance costs that have made Volkswagen Polo one of the leaders in our rating. This car is in third place in the Top 10.
If we talk about the most “indestructible” cars, then we cannot fail to mention the main bestsellers of this market - KIA and Hyundai. Cars from these Korean brands are among the most popular on the market, and have been for several years now.
Hyundai Solaris
So, second place in the rating belongs to Hyundai Solaris.
This car is inexpensive, but in terms of the number of awards it is much ahead of other participants. Here is an incomplete list of awards received by the Korean Solaris in Russia: “Car of the Year”, “Best Car of the Runet”, “Golden Horn”, “Brand of the Year”. As for the parameters of “indestructibility”, there are leading places everywhere.
A breakdown of a Hyundai Solaris occurs only in the second or third year of operation, and to repair such a car, significant funds are not required.
List of reliable used cars with mileage from 5 to 10 years
Not all potential buyers trust ratings, believing that the data used in them is taken, if not out of thin air, then for some selfish reasons.
In fact, expert analytics in this regard is based on strict numbers, using exclusively independent resources and sources of information, including real reports from insurance companies, inspection results and reviews from motorists.
Look at the rating of used minivans priced up to 500 thousand rubles, which are perfect for Russia.
The more resistant a car is to breakdowns, the more profitable its operation is.
It is noteworthy that inspections are carried out annually, for which at least 10 million used cars aged from 2 to 11 years are taken into account. In addition, the following factors are taken into account:
- Availability of models on the secondary market.
- Date of production of the car (for cars 5-10 years old, production in the period from 2009 to 2014 is relevant).
- Average number of breakdowns experienced by car owners, taken from service reports.
- Reviews from motorists for each specific model.
- Results of a comparative analysis of competing brands.
- Results of test drives and crush examinations.
That is, a catch in such tops is excluded by definition. That is why they can be a good help when choosing a used vehicle.
The most reliable cars
Car owners on specialized websites discuss the reliability of their cars. Not only ease of use, design and comfort are important, but also low-cost maintenance. However, these will be subjective opinions.
The most reliable cars
The authoritative rating is made up of large publishing houses dedicated to automotive topics, insurance companies, and firms engaged in statistical observations. Every year a list is compiled that includes the most reliable cars.
There are no organizations in Russia that purposefully collect statistical data on vehicle reliability. Domestic publications have to focus on foreign experts. The most popular ratings are made up of foreign (German and English) companies:
- TUV Report;
- DEKRA;
- ADAC.
They not only compile a survey of drivers, but also collect data on insurance cases, service requests from owners, and reviews of service centers. Each car is evaluated according to several dozen parameters. The sample includes millions of copies of various brands.
To compile the top reliable used cars, German experts from TUV compiled a sample of cars that were three years old.
Based on data from service centers, a calculation was made of the percentage of the average number of breakdowns and vehicle mileage.
5th and 4th places
The Japanese brands Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 close the rating list. Toyota had 4% breakdowns with a mileage of 35 thousand. Honda has the same malfunction rate at 43 thousand km.
3rd place
In the middle of the list is the German brand Audi Q3. At 44 thousand kilometers, breakdowns occur in 3% of cases.
2nd place
Second place goes to Lexus GX. At 50 thousand, it breaks down in 2.8% of cases.
1 place
In first place in terms of reliability is the Porsche 911. With 26 thousand mileage, breakdowns occur in 2.5% of cases. The low mileage is not surprising. This car, even in Germany, is not for everyday driving.
Porsche 911
The rating was compiled for European countries. In Russia, Lexus and Porsche are not the most common car brands. However, the compiled list will help you choose the most reliable cars.
The most reliable cars with automatic transmission
If the question of purchasing an affordable car with an automatic transmission is on your agenda, then you should take a closer look at models such as the second generation Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and Camry, as well as the 1.8-liter Skoda Octavia.
Skoda Octavia
It is noteworthy that all cars are good not only in the automatic transmission version, but also with a manual transmission.
The most durable cars according to domestic users
Domestic experts unanimously call the Hyundai Solaris the most indestructible car. Having collected a lot of various prizes and awards, this inexpensive car took first place.
Volkswagen Polo confidently ranks second. The German automobile industry is generally in high demand among domestic car enthusiasts, being considered an unpretentious and durable vehicle. They rarely break down, and the cost of spare parts is almost the same as for our VAZs.
Kia Rio, a middle-class Korean, took an honorable third place in the ranking of the most indestructible cars. For a reasonable price, the owner receives a very reliable vehicle.
