Volkswagen Tiguan and Jaecoo 7 Rank Among Least Reliable Cars, Survey Finds

The Volkswagen Tiguan has been identified as the least reliable car in a recent survey, with owners reporting a 55.3% reliability score. This marks the second consecutive year a Volkswagen model has held this unenviable position.

A massive 75% of Tiguan models included in the What Car? Reliability Survey experienced some form of failure, with half of these issues related to non-engine electrics. Other reported problems included the 12-volt battery and the infotainment system, and 44% of these faults took more than a week to repair. However, Volkswagen covered 90% of repair costs, with no owners paying more than £100 for a fault.

The survey, which gathered feedback from 39,332 owners over two years, analyzed 225 models from 30 brands across 16 fault categories. It assessed the number and nature of faults, as well as the cost and duration of repairs.

Following the Tiguan, the Renault Arkana ranked as the second least reliable car with a 58.5% reliability score. Owners frequently reported electrical issues, with 47% experiencing problems in this area. Additionally, 12% encountered issues with air-conditioning, engines, or other electrical components. A significant 78% of these vehicles were off the road for over a week for repairs, though 96% of these were covered by warranty.

The Mercedes GLE, with a 63.7% reliability score, also featured among the least dependable models. A third of GLE drivers reported a range of issues, from engine to electrical systems and interior faults. While 71% of repairs were free, some owners outside of warranty faced costs exceeding £1,500. Less than half (43%) of faulty GLEs were repaired within a week.

The Volkswagen ID.4 was the only electric vehicle in the top six least reliable cars, scoring 66.9%. Owners reported issues with 43% of ID.4s, primarily with non-motor electrical components and the infotainment system. Two-thirds of these EVs spent more than a week in the workshop.

Land Rover's Discovery Sport placed fifth on the least reliable list with a 68.2% score. Of the cars reported, 38% had issues, with 69% of those affected being unavailable for over a week. Land Rover covered 74% of repair bills, but unreimbursed costs could reach £1,500.

The Jaecoo 7, despite being a sales sensation, ranked sixth least reliable with a 71.9% score. Owners reported faults in areas such as non-engine electrics, infotainment, batteries, and bodywork. Thirty percent of Jaecoo 7 owners reported issues, and nearly two-thirds of these repairs took more than a week to complete, with Jaecoo not covering any repairs despite the vehicles being under warranty.

In contrast, the survey highlighted several highly reliable vehicles. The Suzuki Swift and the new Mini Countryman both achieved a perfect 100% reliability rating. The Suzuki Swift, a small petrol hatchback, received no reports of unexpected issues from owners, helping Suzuki top the brand reliability scale.

The Toyota Aygo X scored 99.7% reliability, with only 3% of owners reporting bodywork issues, all of which were resolved by Toyota for free and within a day.

The BMW 4 Series Coupé and Convertible achieved a 99.6% reliability score, with just 3% of owners reporting bodywork complaints. These issues were fixed within a day, and all repairs were free of charge.

The Mini hatchback, though replaced by a newer model, still impressed with a 99.4% reliability score. Only 4% of owners reported non-engine electrical or steering problems, which were fixed for free but took over a week.

The Lexus ES (combustion engine models) and the Kia Niro hybrid and PHEV tied for sixth place with 99.3% reliability. For the Lexus ES, only 6% of models had infotainment system issues, fixed within a day and at no cost. The Kia Niro saw only 4% of owners report bodywork faults, resolved under warranty within a week.