Worst Cars for Reliability Revealed

Warrantywise has completed an analysis of 1.6 million UK repair data points that shows higher-priced used cars do not offer higher reliability. Large SUVs and executive saloons were among the most lowest-scoring models in its 2026 Reliability Index. The lowest score in this year’s data was recorded by the Land Rover Discovery (17.2/100), compared with the top-ranked Toyota Yaris (89.2/100).   

A reliability score ranked out of 100 is assigned to each make and model, providing reliability data over time to UK customers, indicating a risk level associated to each vehicle.

Additionally, Warrantywise indicates average repair cost bills and the highest repair cost per make and model with repair requests from an average age of 6 to 7 years and an average mileage sitting at just under 70,000 miles.

This indicates repairs are occurring later in the ownership experience at that mid-life point of a typical vehicle, but Warrantywise are keen to state that warranty claims can be attributed to “servicing history, driving conditions and how the vehicle is used, rather than being limited to early-life build quality concerns”.

All cars featured in the bottom 10 most claimed vehicles under warranty are large SUVs and executive cars with repair costs typically over £2,000. The most expensive repair request from Warrantywise being over £40,000.

Warrantywise noted that emissions-related issues were the most regular repair affecting four out of the 10 models, with electrical system and suspension-related issues ranked highly, making note of the common issues affecting cars around this age.

Antony Diggins, Managing Director of Warrantywise, said: “As the UK car parc continues to age, more vehicles – particularly SUVs and premium models – are moving into a stage of ownership where repair requests become more likely. That doesn’t make them the wrong used cars to retail, but it does mean they need to be approached differently”.

Second place for most claimed car is the BMW 7-Series

The Results

Losers

The Land Rover Discovery was singled out as the most claimed against vehicle with Warrantywise noting faults occurring on average at 6.8 years and 70,000 miles with the most regular repair highlighted as electric systems. However, the largest repair claimed was £25,694.93. Warrantywise gives the Land Rover Discovery a score of 17.6/100.

In second place is the rather lovely BMW 7 Series scoring a lowly 18.7 points with the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-Class in joint 3rd spot with the Audi A7 scoring 19.2 points.

Land Rover also featured in 5th, 6th, 8th 10th spot with the Velar, Range Rover, Range rover Sport, Discovery Sport and Defender 110 respectively with the largest repair claim going to the Discovery Sport at a whopping £44,401.48.

The BMW X5 and X7 took 7th and 9th place respectively. Not a great result for JLR, or BMW.

1: Land Rover Discovery - 17.6 points

2: BMW 7 Series - 18.7 points

3:= Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A7 - 19.2 points

5: Land Rover Velar - 19.7 points

6: Land Rover Range Rover Sport - 21.1 points

7: BMW X5 - 23.6 points

8: Land Rover Discover Sport - 24.1 points

9: BMW X7 - 26.5 points

10: Land Rover Defender 110 - 28 points

Winners

It was the lower end of the market that scored best in the Warrantywise data revealing that the Toyota Yaris is Britains most reliable used car scoring 89.2/100 with the average cost of repair coming in at £888.90.

Warrantywise also noted the average age for a faulty Yaris was 7.9 years with the average mileage at 65,759 miles. The largest repair bill stood at £2,334.55, noting the most common (not really common) fault showing as electric system.

Toyota also took 3rd, 4th and 6th places with the Aygo, Rav-4 and Hilux, scoring 83.8, 79.9 and 78.4 respectively.

Kia took 2nd and 9th position with the Picanto and Ceed scoring 86.8 and 77.5 respectively.

The Peugeot 108 scored 78.6 points in 5th place with its sister car the Citroen C1 in 7th scoring 78.0 points. Suzuki took 8th and 10th place with the Vitara and Swift at 78.0 and 77.5 points.

1. Toyota Yaris - 89.2 points

2. Kia Picanto - 86.8 points

3. Toyota Aygo - 83.8 points

4. Toyota RAV-4 - 79.9 points

5. Peugeot 108 - 78.6 points

6. Toyota Hilux - 78.4 points

7. Citroen C1 - 78.0 points

8. Suzuki Vitara - 78.0 points

9. Kia Ceed - 77.5 points

10. Suzuki Swift 77.5 points

Used Car Buying Advice

Although no car is immune from faults, Warrantywise highlights the risks associated to owning large SUVs and executive saloon cars. If it’s peace-of-mind that customers seek - when choosing a used car - there’s a raft of helpful information provided on the Definitely Not A Guru Used Car Buying Guide.

Combining both resources could help avoid large, unexpected bills. However, it’s worth considering a 3rd party warranty, like one from our partners at ALA Insurance (use code JIM10 for 10% off) if the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, or the dealer only provides a limited-time warranty, or if buying privately.

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About the Author

Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.

You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.