Consumers are treading more carefully than ever before when purchasing cars, as not only do they want a good price and low running costs, they also want to make sure the vehicle is reliable to avoid any unexpected repair or damage costs.
Small cars
Small cars are certainly increasing in popularity, mainly because they are cheaper to buy, run and maintain. Eco-friendly cars tend to be small cars which mean drivers benefit from not having to pay road tax as they often emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and they are also exempt from the London congestion charge.
The Citroen C1 is a reliable, small supermini vehicle. A number of leading experts have recently praised the vehicle’s reliability record, which explains its appeal to consumers.
The Kia Picanto is a popular small car, and was launched in 2011. It has proven itself to be a reliable choice of car when purchased as a used car or brand new.
Medium cars
Typically, three or five door hatchbacks are classed as a medium-sized car, and they are generally more comfortable to travel in than a small car.
The Mazda 3 has gained widespread praise regarding its general reliability. Also, the Mercedes A-class has received positive reviews despite the first generation A-class having issues with its build quality.
Large cars
Large cars are often bought by private buyers as well as company fleets. More affordable brands such as Vauxhall and Ford generally provide reliable cars but, surprisingly, large premium vehicles such as those made my BMW and Mercedes have proven themselves to be lacking in the reliability stakes.
In contrast, the Honda Insight has been commended for its reliability, as it scored 97% in the 2011 Which? Car Survey.
The Lexus IS saloon is a consistent favourite with car owners as it is extremely reliable. While the reliability of this model is not in question, its running costs could be better as its fuel consumption is generally quite high.
You can never be too sure of how reliable your car is going to be. Breakdown Cover could provide peace of mind.
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