A new consumer study by What Car? has revealed the most reliable used cars in the country, with Japanese and Korean models dominating proceedings but a few surprising entries near the top of the list. While models from Toyota, Lexus and Honda tied for the title of most dependable used car up to eight years old, models from Italy, Romania and the UK also made it into the list of 50 most reliable models, with ratings of more than 96.5 per cent. The What Car? reliability ratings gather details from around 13,000 car owners about their experiences over the past year, rating cars for the number of faults reported, how long they took to repair and how much the work cost.
. Toyota RAV4 (2013 - 2019)
The fourth-generation Rav4 was one of three models to score a flawless 100 per cent in the What Car? with the compact SUV presenting owners with no breakdowns over the past 12 months. Photo: Toyota
. Lexus RX Hybrid (2016 - present)
The large luxury RX SUV is the second of nine models from the Toyota/Lexus family to feature on this list and another one to score an unbeatable 100 per cent in the ratings. It's also one of nine hybrids to make the top 50 Photo: Lexus
. Honda Jazz (2008 - 2015)
The second-generation Honda Jazz is a compact but surprisingly spacious and practical hatchback with an enviable reliability record. Like the Rav4 and RX, not one Jazz owner surveyed suffered a problem with their car last year Photo: Honda
. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011 - 2020)
The Yaris supermini has just been replaced by an all-new model but the outgoing generation is continuing a long record of dependability with a 99.6 per cent reliability rating Photo: Toyota
. Lexus NX Hybrid (2014 - present)
Like its larger stablemate the RX, the Lexus NX is a petrol-electric hybrid with a reliability record strong enough to ease many people's worries about the durability of the complicated hybrid drivetrain, scoring 99.3 per cent Photo: Lexus
. Dacia Duster (2018 - present)
Proving that cheap doesn't have to mean nasty, the compact Duster SUV is among the most reliable used cars in the country despite being one of the cheapest when new. A reliability rating of 99 per cent puts it in some good company Photo: Dacia
. Skoda Citigo (2012 - 2020)
Skoda has stopped selling new petrol versions of its city car but as a second-hand buy they look like a sound choice, with a What Car? reliability rating of 98.9 per cent Photo: Skoda
. Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010 - present)
Italian cars often have a reputation for being 'temperamental' but this small family hatchback is disproving that cliche, sliding into the top 10 with a reliability rating of 98.9 per cent Photo: Alfa Romeo
1. Toyota RAV4 (2013 - 2019)
The fourth-generation Rav4 was one of three models to score a flawless 100 per cent in the What Car? with the compact SUV presenting owners with no breakdowns over the past 12 months. Photo: Toyota
2. Lexus RX Hybrid (2016 - present)
The large luxury RX SUV is the second of nine models from the Toyota/Lexus family to feature on this list and another one to score an unbeatable 100 per cent in the ratings. It's also one of nine hybrids to make the top 50 Photo: Lexus
3. Honda Jazz (2008 - 2015)
The second-generation Honda Jazz is a compact but surprisingly spacious and practical hatchback with an enviable reliability record. Like the Rav4 and RX, not one Jazz owner surveyed suffered a problem with their car last year Photo: Honda
4. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011 - 2020)
The Yaris supermini has just been replaced by an all-new model but the outgoing generation is continuing a long record of dependability with a 99.6 per cent reliability rating Photo: Toyota