EXCLUSIVEThe most reliable used cars in 2024: Do you own one of the top ten?

  • Warrantywise has revealed the best performers in its Used Car Reliability Index
  • It ranks second-hand motors 4-10 years old based on volume and cost of faults
  • One Japanese brand dominates the standings but there's a variety of car types 

By ROB HULL

Updated:

Is your car super reliable or one that goes wrong all the time and costs you an arm and a leg in repair bills?

If you own one of the ten motors listed below, the chances are it's the former and you are a happy motorist. If not, they might be models to consider next time you are buying.

These are the 10 most dependable used cars in 2024, according to extended warranty provider, Warrantywise.

It has given us early access to the rankings ahead of anyone else. The big question remains: do you own one of the cars in the countdown?

With Britons still gripped by a cost-of-living crisis, the last thing drivers need is a car that constantly breakdowns and costs them an arm and a leg in repair bills. Warrantywise has revealed the 10 used motors with the best durability track record. See the countdown below

With Britons still gripped by a cost-of-living crisis, the last thing drivers need is a car that constantly breakdowns and costs them an arm and a leg in repair bills. Warrantywise has revealed the 10 used motors with the best durability track record. See the countdown below

At a time of immense financial strain for some individuals and families marked by the steady rise in the cost of living, the importance of running a reliable car couldn't be more imperative.

With consumers increasingly feeling the pinch from a surge in energy prices, interest rates and the cost of food, vehicle ownership is another burden.

As well as fuel prices remaining far higher than pre-pandemic, the cost of parts and labour has sky-rocketed in recent months.

This means maintenance costs have soared to unprecedented heights, especially for those with unreliable motors with a habit of falling apart or breaking down.

But for drivers of the following 10 cars, their costs aren't rising nearly as much.

The annual Warrantywise Reliability Index rates models between four and 10 years old (those registered between 2013 and 2019) and then lists the ones with the best track records.

Each car's rating is based on claims made by customers between 2020 and 2023, taking into account repair request frequency, average vehicle age at time of fault, average mileage and average labour time.

Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of the extended warranty provider, said: 'At Warrantywise, we are dedicated to providing our consumers with valuable insights about their vehicles. 

'We recognise the importance of making wise choices, particularly in light of the rising cost of repair, and also that even the most reliable car is vulnerable to faults.'

Based on 'precise and quantifiable data', the top ten is a diverse mix of models, though you will notice that one Japanese brand stands out with four cars in the top 10.

Here's the countdown of most reliable used models. We've also included the highest repair claim cost recorded by Warrantywise over the last three years, and a starting price based on models for sale dating back to 2013 (with up to average mileage of 75,000 miles).

10. Kia Rio - 82.1 reliability rating

Price*: from £3,600

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,875.20 

The Kia Rio is ranked the tenth most dependable used car of 2024, with Warrantywise saying the Korean supermini gets an 82.1 reliability rating

The Kia Rio is ranked the tenth most dependable used car of 2024, with Warrantywise saying the Korean supermini gets an 82.1 reliability rating

The first model to appear in the list is the Kia Rio - the Korean car maker's supermini rival to the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

Today, you can pick one up with average mileage for upwards of £3,600, which isn't too shabby for a capable little family run-around. 

Warrantywise's data covers the last two generations of the Rio, which has a pretty impressive reliability record based on the volume and cost of claims made by owners.

While the most substantial repair bill in the three-year window was almost £2,900, this is likely to have been an outlier given the overall rating of 82.1.

=8. Peugeot 107 - 83.4 reliability rating

Price*: from £4,000

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £1,349.86 

The Peugeot 107 was produced in collaboration with Toyota's Aygo, which might explain why it scores so well for reliability. It's not just cheap to keep on the road, insurance premiums and fuel bills are low too

The Peugeot 107 was produced in collaboration with Toyota's Aygo, which might explain why it scores so well for reliability. It's not just cheap to keep on the road, insurance premiums and fuel bills are low too

When you think of brands that are synonymous with reliability, Peugeot probably isn't a manufacturer that spring to mine.

Yet its 107 city car has a very strong history of dependability - bolstered by the fact it was a model built in partnership with Toyota, with the 107 mechanically identical to the Japanese maker's Aygo (and the Citroen C1).

Small, efficient to run and relatively cheap to insure, this pocket-sized Peugeot is already good for your wallet. Even with small motors like this in big demand today, you can get one second-hand for around £4,000.

A reliability rating of 83.4 shouldn't be sniffed at, while the highest repair bill of £1,350 is the second lowest of all 10 cars to feature here. 

=8. Honda CR-V - 83.4 reliability rating

Price*: from £7,500

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,818.80

Very few SUVs have a reliability track record as strong as the Honda CR-V. This family-sized motor blends durability with practicality - and at a pretty attainable price on the used market

Very few SUVs have a reliability track record as strong as the Honda CR-V. This family-sized motor blends durability with practicality - and at a pretty attainable price on the used market

While the first two models to feature in this list are both small cars, the Honda CR-V is anything but.

This family-size SUV has earned itself a solid reputation for almost bulletproof reliability, and the Warrantywise index only adds to this.

With the data an overview of all models between 2013 and 2019, this encapsulates the two previous generations of the Honda CR-V. The earlier of the two is available second-hand with below average mileage for around £7,500, which is a steal for a practical motor like this.

Despite SUVs generally being considered more troublesome - and expensive to repair due to often having four-wheel drive and pricey suspension components - the 83.4 rating is impressive. Though one owner's warranty claim in the last three years has totalled almost £2,820. 

7. Kia Cee’d - 84.6 reliability rating

Price*: from £4,300

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,450.42

The Kia Cee'd is the Korean firm's alternative to popular family hatchbacks, like Ford's Focus, Vauxhall's Astra and VW's Golf. And Warrantywise says it's more reliable than all three

The Kia Cee'd is the Korean firm's alternative to popular family hatchbacks, like Ford's Focus, Vauxhall's Astra and VW's Golf. And Warrantywise says it's more reliable than all three

The Cee'd is Kia's answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf. This medium-sized family hatchback is roomy, packs lots of equipment and - according to Warrantywise - should be relatively solid.

Launched in 2012, this second-generation car is the one covered by the period reviewed by the index. 

An 84.6 reliability rating is impressive for this sharp-looking hatch, with the highest repair bill recorded in the previous three years amounting to just under £2,500.

A quick search of the used market and an average-mileage example can be purchased for £4,300.

=5. Toyota Hilux - 85.3 reliability rating

Price*: from £10,000

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £1,004.00

Of all the workhorse pick-up trucks on the planet, the Toyota Hilux is the one that's earned the best reputation for being reliable

Of all the workhorse pick-up trucks on the planet, the Toyota Hilux is the one that's earned the best reputation for being reliable

Reliability and the Toyota Hilux go hand-in-hand. Jeremy Clarkson-era Top Gear always referred to it as the most durable vehicle on the road - the BBC even parked one on top of a block of flats before detonating an explosion to take it down, only for the Hilux to drive out of the rubble.

These pick-ups are so solid that they're hugely desirable in countries across Africa and in Australia, with the reliable Hilux unlikely to go wrong in the bush or the outback.

Not hugely popular in the UK, Warrantywise still had a sample of 250 examples aged four to 10 years to provide a reliability rating - and it scored 85.3,

The highest repair bill - incredibly - seen in the previous three years was just over £1,000. This is easily the cheapest maximum repair of all 10 cars in this list.

=5. Toyota Aygo - 85.3 reliability rating

Price*: from £3,200

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,005.00

Toyota's small city car is inexpensive to buy second-hand, benefits from a low insurance group and will sip petrol slower than most motors on the road. A reliability rating of 85.3 also means it shouldn't be costly to keep on the road

Toyota's small city car is inexpensive to buy second-hand, benefits from a low insurance group and will sip petrol slower than most motors on the road. A reliability rating of 85.3 also means it shouldn't be costly to keep on the road

From a hulking Toyota pick-up to one of the Japanese brand's smallest cars - the Aygo. As previously mentioned, this is the sister car to the Peugeot 107 (in 10th spot), but outdoes it marginally on the reliability rating front.

Warrantywise's algorithm granted it an 85.3 score, which is on par with the Hilux.

Inexpensive to run, these cars are also attainable to many drivers as prices are pretty low, starting from just over £3,000 for a used one dating back up to 10 years and with fewer than 75,000 miles on the clock. 

The biggest repair bill seen in the last three years is a shade over £2,000.

=3. Toyota Auris - 85.9 reliability rating

Price*: from £5,000

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,160.00

The Auris hatchback - now superseded by the Corolla - is so reliable that plenty of taxi and private hire firms still have them in their fleets

The Auris hatchback - now superseded by the Corolla - is so reliable that plenty of taxi and private hire firms still have them in their fleets

Available with either petrol or hybrid power, the Auris is the most dependable family car in this list. 

Testament to just how solid this medium-size Toyota is, they're still used commonly by taxi and private hire services, which showcases just how affordable they are to run - as well as reliable.

The data covers only the second-generation Auris - both hatchback and estate versions - before it was discontinued in 2018 and replaced by the Corolla (which is built in Burnaston, Derbyshire).

The Warrantywise Reliability Index 2024 gives it an 85.9 rating and the highest repair bill claimed by an owner in the last three years was £2,160.

=3. Mazda2 - 85.9 reliability rating

Price*: from £3,250

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £3,636.34 

The Mazda2 is the smallest model from the Japanese brand and an alternative to the Ford Fiesta

The Mazda2 is the smallest model from the Japanese brand and an alternative to the Ford Fiesta

Looking back only at used cars up to 10 years old, the Mazda2 in question here is the last-generation, which dates back to 2014. 

This is the Japanese brand's smallest model, which - when on sale - rivalled the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.

Repair and servicing costs for Mazdas are typically higher than other brands, which might explain why one warranty-covered repair bill in the last three years amounted to a staggering £3,600.

Yet an 85.9 reliability rating is good enough for the Mazda2 to secure joint third spot in this list, with the infrequency of repairs one of the reasons why it scored so highly. 

2 Suzuki Swift - 87.8 reliability rating

Price*: from £4,000

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,410.98

Suzuki picked up the runners-up spot in the rankings of most reliable used cars of 2024 with the previous-generation Swift taking plenty of praise from Warrantywise

Suzuki picked up the runners-up spot in the rankings of most reliable used cars of 2024 with the previous-generation Swift taking plenty of praise from Warrantywise

Warrantywise's records cover the current and previous generation of the Suzuki Swift - the latter being the one with the cheapest second-hand prices, starting from as little as £4,000 for one with below-average mileage.

This Japanese supermini has always impressed for just how durable and inexpensive it is to run - and keep running.

The 87.8 reliability rating is the second highest given by Warrantywise in 2024, which is an impressive accolade for this small car.

The biggest repair bill seen between 2020 and 2023 was £2,410. 

1. Toyota Yaris - 89.0 reliability rating

Price*: from £4,500

Highest repair bill recorded in 2020-23: £2,887.20

Warrantywise has named the third-generation Toyota Yaris (2011-2019) Britain's most reliable second-hand car. Find out why below...

Warrantywise has named the third-generation Toyota Yaris (2011-2019) Britain's most reliable second-hand car. Find out why below...

The Toyota Yaris is ranked as the most reliable used car from the 2024.

Now on its fourth generation, this data covers only the third-generation version that launched in 2011 that remained on sale until 2019.

It secured the top spot with minimal repair costs and maximum reliability, scoring an impressive 89.0 out of 100.

'Recognised for its consistent performance and reliability, the Toyota Yaris earns its place at the top of this year’s Index for reliability and durability, reflecting Toyota’s longstanding commitment to rigorous manufacturing quality control measures,' the warranty provider said.

'With an average repair request amount of £604.50, the model's widespread popularity also means there is a wealth of available information.'

The highest repair bill seen in the three-year period was £2,887.20, the data shows.

*Prices based on vehicles for sale on Auto Trader on 13/03/24 with between 70,000-80,000 miles 

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