The cars most likely to fail you: Survey by consumer group Which? names Vauxhall Zafira and diesel Audi A3 among the least dependable models on the road
- A What Car? magazine poll saw Vauxhall Zafira among the least reliable in the UK
- Thousands of drivers bought second generation version when launched in 2005
- Meanwhile Japanese cars dominated the top ten list of the most reliable cars
It is one of the nation’s most popular family people carriers.
But those who buy a used Vauxhall Zafira should prepare for bumps in the road, according to a survey of the most reliable cars.
A poll of motorists by What Car? magazine found the British-made vehicle is among the least reliable in the UK.
Thousands of drivers bought the second generation version of the Zafira when it launched in 2005, attracted by its affordability and family-friendly features.
A poll of motorists by What Car? magazine found the Vauxhall Zafira is among the least reliable in the UK. (Stock image)
But the make has run into problems in recent years. In 2016, some 235,000 were recalled amid reports of engines overheating and bursting into flames.
The firm was accused by MPs of showing a ‘reckless disregard for safety’ by hesitating on a recall after the fires came to light.
The survey by What Car? magazine saw a rating assigned to models based on how many faults were reported by drivers over the last year, as well as how expensive they were to repair.
The Zafira was the third-worst, behind the Ford Focus (diesel version, 2004-2011) in second and the Audi A3 (diesel, 2003-2011) in first with a reliability ranking of just 40 per cent.
More than a third (37 per cent) of diesel A3s had a fault, and 22 per cent of them were with the engine. A third of bills cost between £500 and £1500 to fix.
The Audi A3 (diesel, 2003-2011) was given a reliability ranking of just 40 per cent by those who took part in the poll. (Stock image)
Meanwhile Japanese cars dominated the top ten list of the most reliable cars, with the Lexus CT (2011-present) leading the way. (Stock image)
Japanese cars dominated the top ten list of the most reliable cars, with the Lexus CT (2011-present) leading the way with a reliability rating of 99.5 per cent.
In second was the Suzuki Swift (2010-2017), and in third the Toyota Auris Hybrid (2013-present).
German cars – usually a guarantee of quality and efficiency – were voted among the least reliable, with the Audi A3, BMW X5 and 3 Series and older versions of the Volkswagen Golf all scoring poorly.
Across all vehicles, a third of owners said their car had suffered a fault, with non-engine electrical issues most common, followed by suspension and brake problems.
Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: ‘Reliability is often at the forefront of any vehicle purchase. With nearly eight million used vehicles sold last year, there is huge scope for things to go wrong.
‘By shining a light on the reliability of various makes and models, we hope to help buyers make the right decision when choosing their next used purchase.’