In association with MotorEasy
Best and worst older cars for reliability: small cars
How dependable are cars as they get older? Here’s what the owners of small cars between six and 15 years of age have told us...
The Suzuki Swift is small and almost perfectly formed when it comes to reliability. Only 6% of cars suffered a problem, and the only area affected was the battery. All cars were back on the road the same day, with repair bills ranging from £51 to £100.
Owner comment: “It hasn’t let me down and I haven’t had to have any major work done on it”
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Honda Jazz (2008-2015)
Reliability rating 94.3%
The Honda Jazz is not only practical, thanks to its clever double-folding ‘magic’ rear seats, but also highly dependable. Brakes were the most frequently cited issue, with a small percentage of owners also reporting problems with the air-con, battery, bodywork and steering. Most cars could still be driven and cost £100 or less to repair.
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Toyota Yaris (2011 on)
Reliability rating 93.9%
The Toyota Yaris may not be as roomy inside as the Honda Jazz, but it’s almost as sturdy. Only 14% of cars suffered a fault, with issues split evenly between the battery, bodywork and gearbox. Although two-thirds of the stricken cars couldn’t be driven, the majority of them were back on the road the same day, while repair bills ranged from free to £1000.
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Least reliable Peugeot 207 (2006-2012)
Reliability rating 63.2%
What went wrong? Engine 19% Air-con 14% Gearbox 14% Suspension 14% Exhaust 10% Bodywork 5% Brakes 5% Steering 5%
A shocking 57% of Peugeot 207s had a fault, with 19% of them suffering engine problems and the air conditioning, gearbox and suspension each accounting for 14% of issues. Most cars could still be driven and around half were fixed the same day, and while most work cost a few hundred pounds, some owners paid up to £1000.
Owner comment: “I’m always waiting for the next thing to break on it”
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Hyundai i20 (2009-2015)
Reliability rating 67.8%
More than a third (35%) of Hyundai i20 owners said their car had been afflicted by a problem, with the gearbox and suspension each accounting for 10% of faults. Although three-quarters of the faulty cars remained driveable, repairs were relatively costly, ranging from £101 to £750.
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Mini hatchback (2001-2006)
Reliability rating 73.7%
Only 17% of older Minis suffered a fault, but some of the problem areas were serious: 11% of issues were related to the suspension and 6% were to do with the engine and gearbox. More than half of the afflicted cars couldn’t be driven, while repair costs ranged from £51 to more than £1500.
