A new survey of over 39,000 car owners shows repair bills are rising fast. Only four Asian models stayed completely trouble free, while European brands lagged behind.
Car repairs in 2026 are hitting wallets harder than ever. The latest What Car? reliability survey shows a sharp jump in expensive fixes. Now, 3 percent of repairs cost more than 1,770 euros. That’s more than double last year’s rate. The real surprise? Only 81 percent of problems in cars up to five years old were fixed for free. Last year, that number was 95 percent. These findings come from 39,332 owners, covering 225 models, 30 brands, and 16 types of faults, as detailed in the What Car? Reliability Survey 2026.
Even as repair bills climb, four Asian models managed something no European car did. The Hyundai i10, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia EV3, and Toyota GR Yaris all scored a perfect 100 percent for reliability. Not one owner reported a single fault. These cars are very different—a city runabout, a big family SUV, a hot hatch, and a fully electric crossover. But they share one thing. Not a single breakdown.
Suzuki was named the most reliable car brand overall in the 2026 survey, achieving a 97.8 percent reliability score across its range.
The Kia EV3 stands out. It is the only fully electric car in the survey to hit 100 percent reliability. Most electric cars had more problems than petrol or hybrid models. The Toyota GR Yaris also proves that speed does not mean more trouble. According to independent publications, electric vehicles on average had more issues than petrol and hybrid cars. The Kia EV3’s clean record is rare.
Just below the top, the Toyota Aygo X scored 99.7 percent. Its only problems were minor bodywork issues, all fixed quickly and at no cost. Other strong performers include the Mini (2014–2024 generation), Kia Niro PHEV, and Porsche Macan. Each hovered around 99 percent. Multiple industry sources, including the Daily Mail and The Mini Forum, confirm that Asian brands keep leading the reliability charts.
Some models fell far short. The Volkswagen Tiguan had the lowest score at just 55.3 percent. Owners reported electrical faults most often, then navigation, bodywork, and brake problems. The Renault Arkana and Mercedes GLE also struggled, with scores of 58.5 and 63.7 percent. The Volkswagen ID 4, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and Jaecoo 7 joined the list of underperformers.
The gap between the most and least reliable models has widened dramatically, with reliability scores ranging from a flawless 100 percent to just 55.3 percent. The survey also found that the share of free repairs has dropped sharply, highlighting a growing risk of expensive out-of-pocket costs for owners.
Technology makes a difference. Petrol cars are still the safest bet. Only 19 percent had any issues. Hybrids came next at 21 percent. Electric vehicles had problems in 27 percent of cases. Diesel did worst, with 29 percent of owners reporting faults. Diesel repairs also cost more. Only 87 percent of diesel fixes were free, compared to 92 percent for petrol, 96 percent for hybrids, and 97 percent for electric cars.
Brand matters too. Honda leads all manufacturers with a 96.6 percent reliability score. Mini, Suzuki, and Toyota follow close behind. Opel, BMW, Tesla, Kia, Lexus, and Citroën round out the top ten. The survey’s authors warn these results reflect British owners’ experiences with cars up to five years old. A high score does not mean every car will be trouble free.
For Spanish drivers, these results highlight how important reliability and cost control have become. As reported earlier, more buyers are turning to used cars to avoid surprise bills and long waits for repairs. The new What Car? data makes one thing clear. Buyers need to look past the showroom and check real-world reliability before choosing a car.
Repair costs are rising. The gap between the best and worst cars is growing. Not all cars are equal. Asian brands—especially Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota—are setting the pace for trouble-free ownership. Some European models are falling behind. For anyone shopping for a new or nearly new car, the evidence is clear. Reliability is not guaranteed. The wrong choice can cost you.
