The reliability of a car is a crucial factor when choosing a new car. Nobody wants to deal with constant defects and unexpected repair costs. That is why the annual survey of the Organization for Consumers and Users offers (OCU), in which thousands of Spanish motorists are questioned about the reliability of their vehicles, a valuable insight.
The switch to electric vehicles has led to a revolution in automotive technology. Electric powertrains have significantly fewer moving parts than conventional combustion engines, making them inherently more reliable. Pioneers in the field of electric propulsion, such as Tesla and Nissan, score high in reliability surveys.
Toyota and Lexus are known as very reliable car brands due to their strong focus on solid engineering and strict quality control. This results in a low number of defects in new cars from these brands. Their reputation for reliability has been established for many years and has earned them a loyal customer base. The emphasis on durability and solidity in their designs ensures that Toyota and Lexus continue to excel in reliability in the automotive industry.
Hyundai and Kia have made significant strides in reliability in recent years. Their recent models score excellently in reliability surveys, putting them close to the top Japanese brands.
Top 10
Lexus remains the most reliable brand, followed by Suzuki and Subaru. Notable are the European brands Cupra and Smart, which are in the Top 10 of most reliable brands. In general, the results are positive, almost all brands score high on reliability with small differences between them.
The top 10 consists of Lexus (1), Suzuki (2), Subaru (3), Toyota (4), Cupra (5), Kia (6), Smart (7), Honda (8), Mitsubishi (9), Nissan (10) and then Mazda (11) and Mini (12). The least reliable brands this year are also Land Rover, Opel, Peugeot, Citroën, Volkswagen, Ford, Lancia, Renault, Skoda, Volvo and Alfa Romeo.
For used cars, Honda, Toyota and Mazda remain excellent choices, even with increasing age and mileage. Electric vehicles are rapidly gaining ground thanks to their inherently more reliable powertrains. However, infotainment systems remain a weak spot for many brands.
Finally, the survey shows that many car owners remain loyal to brand dealers for maintenance and repairs, especially for premium brands. Access to the latest diagnostic tools, original parts and specially trained technicians are crucial factors in this choice.
