The Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla were among the most reliable cars across all age groups in our car reliability survey. That's not a surprise. Both models have had better-than-average reliability in our surveys since 1999. The Toyota Corolla was the most common car in our survey - it was owned by 494 Consumer members.
The Mazda 6 (pictured) and the Honda Accord had above-average reliability among cars purchased since 2001, as did the Honda Jazz which was launched in 2002.
And those who bought a Toyota Prius for its environmental claims will be pleased to know it scores well on reliability too.
What's reliable?
Our findings haven't changed much over the last few surveys: the Japanese are streets ahead. This year Honda, Toyota and Mazda were among the most reliable makes across all ages of car. And Daihatsu, Lexus and Suzuki joined them as the most reliable "new" cars (those manufactured between 2004 and 2007).
Members are buying European cars in increasing numbers - we look forward to the day when there are enough Porsches, Saabs and Alfa Romeos to analyse. This time we can report results for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot and Volkswagen across all year groups and for Volvos bought between 2001 and 2003.
Unfortunately the news is not all good. Mercedes Benz received the best ratings out of all the European cars; but these were no more than average. Peugeot and Volkswagen were among the least reliable makes in the survey: the Peugeot 307 and Volkswagen Golf were two of the less reliable new cars.
For more information about our findings see Reliability of makes.
Problems
Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores of all ages experienced more problems than average. And there were a lot of them in our survey: 288 Falcons and 362 Commodores. According to Land Transport New Zealand data, along with the Toyota Corolla they were the most common new cars registered in New Zealand between 2003 and 2007.
The Nissan Maxima is listed among the less reliable newer models. This drop in reliability is probably because of a manufacturing fault in some electrical components found in the Maxima. (Nissan New Zealand has told us it fitted new components to these cars at no cost to their owners.) The Maxima was one of the more reliable 2001-2003 models; and older Nissan cars in general rated "above average" for reliability.
The electrical system was the most common troublespot for all cars. Some models had additional quirks. New Ford Falcons were more likely to have problems with brakes and interior fittings such as seats, trim and locks. The Holden Commodore's problem area was power fittings (windows, locks and mirrors).
Mercedes Benz received the best ratings out of all the European cars; but these were no more than average. Peugeot and Volkswagen were among the least reliable makes in the survey: the Peugeot 307 and Volkswagen Golf were two of the less reliable new cars.作者: go0511 时间: 2011-6-4 01:36:17
哎，我的长城呢。作者: gsy110 时间: 2011-6-4 01:42:40
都是日本车啊，欧美车情何以堪啊作者: VIP88 时间: 2011-6-4 11:01:58
Toyota Corolla
钢炮级作者: xli422 时间: 2011-6-4 11:17:45
