Which? reveals the UK’s most reliable carHonda Accord scores 99% in reliability survey
24 July 2009
Honda's Accord is the most reliable car
The new Honda Accord was named the UK’s most reliable car in this year’s Which? Car survey.
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More than 77,000 drivers dished the dirt on breakdowns, faults and niggles in the poll, making it by far the UK’s biggest assessment of owner satisfaction.
The Accord’s reliability score of 99% is one of the highest ever achieved, and it sets Honda’s large car apart as the epitome of hassle-free motoring.
Most reliable cars
Japanese cars fared particularly well in the survey, with seven models in the top 10. The dinky Honda Jazz came second with 98%, while the Daihatsu Sirion, another dependable supermini, came third.
Korean cars also proved they are a force to be reckoned with (the Hyundai i30 reached fourth place with 97%) and Britain’s new bestseller, the Ford Fiesta, came fifth with a creditable 96%.
Despite German cars’ reputation for solidity, the Audi A5 was the least dependable new car surveyed, with a surprisingly low 76%. This stylish coupé may have the looks, but owners reported significant problems with its electrics.
Car reliability problems
Second from bottom of the table was the Ford Galaxy with a disappointing 76%, and the much-acclaimed Jaguar XF did little better with 78%. This is bad news for Jaguar as the XF fares even worse than the S-type (81%), which it has replaced.
Electrical systems, which are generally designed to make cars more efficient, reliable and comfortable, are one of the biggest problem areas identified in the survey.
Which? Car editor Richard Headland said: ‘Owning a reliable car can make the difference between getting your summer holiday off to a flying start and sitting on the hard shoulder of the M6. You can’t do better than the Honda Accord, which is one of the most reliable cars we’ve ever surveyed.
'Japanese cars in the main seem to run like clockwork, although there are a few exceptions to the rule. It’s also encouraging to see good reliability scores for the bestselling Ford Fiesta and other small, economical cars.'
Full reliability scores
For full reliability scores, check out our guides to the most reliable cars and the most reliable car brands. You can also hear what Honda UK had to say about the Accord's outstanding reliability in this month's Which? Car podcast.
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