Japanese cars top used car reliability survey

William Atkins
Monday, 26 November 2007 20:40

Science - Energy

Honda, Toyota, and Nissan capture 9 of the 10 top spots on the What Car? and Warranty Direct 2007 "Reliability SuperTest" survey.          

Announced on Friday, November 23, 2007, the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Toyota Corolla was the most dependable used car of 26 manufacturers and 133 different models of automobiles. In all, 35,000 previously owned cars, which averaged just under five years old, were inspected. The Toyota Corolla only had an average of three faults per 100 cars.

The 1997 through 2002 Honda CR-V placed second with five faults per 100 cars, while the 1999 through 2005 Honda HR-V and the 2000 through 2006 Toyota Celica tied for the third spot, each at six faults per 100.

The fifth top used car was the 1999 through 2006 Honda S2000 at six faults.

The webpage “Brit-built cars top reliability survey” by What Car? lists the top ten cars. The only non-Japanese car to hit the top ten list was the German built BMW 3 Series Compact (1994 through 2001) at number six.

The What Car? webpage also lists the bottom ten used cars by reliability, which includes, at number 1, the Alfa Romeo GTV (1996 to 2003) at 97 faults per 100 cars and, at number 2, the Renault Espace (1997 to 2002) at 77 faults per 100 cars.

The top car manufacturing companies were Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus. It was Honda’s third straight year at the number one position.

The worst car manufacturing company, by reliability of its used cars, was Volkswagen, followed by Fiat and Vauxhall (tied for next to last).

Warranty Direct is one of the leading independent extended car warranty companies in North America.