Reliability is likely to be extremely important to anyone buying a new or used car, as owning a car that frequently breaks down causes inconvenience, delays, disruption and expense. An unreliable car is likely to be an unenjoyable one to own.

The days of enthusiastic amateur mechanics fixing issues by the roadside are all but over, as most modern cars rely on complex digital systems for even their most basic functions, meaning even minor problems may require the attention of a technician and a laptop. The upside of this complexity is that modern cars are much easier to live with on a daily basis, returning better fuel efficiency and requiring fewer services in their lifetimes than before.

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Our Driver Power survey results of manufacturers support the notion that continually evolving technology in new cars is nothing to fear. Owners of sophisticated, tech-laden models, such as hybrids and range-topping SUVs, told us that they’re among the most dependable cars on the road.

Every year we receive thousands of responses from drivers who tell us what they really think about the cars they own. We collate this information to give you the inside track on what are the most reliable new cars to buy. Knowing which models are most likely to suffer from faults is very handy information if you’re in the market for a new car.

Tell us what you like and dislike about your car - take our Driver Power survey here

Our latest Driver Power survey data is based on responses received about new cars, excluding those that are less than 12 months old, helping us to collate a detailed, real-world account of how reliable a specific car is and what problems can occur during ownership.

Buyers of brand new cars often expect them to perform flawlessly when they arrive, but even owners of models that finished in our top 10 reported some faults in the first year of ownership. The results of our survey suggest most serious faults tend to appear after a car has been on the road for three years, once again highlighting the appeal of longer warranties, like those offered by Kia and Hyundai, that extend beyond this period.

These are the results of our 2020 Driver Power survey for the most reliable new cars to own. If you’re after a specific body style, check out our guides to the most reliable SUVs and most reliable small cars.