IT’S OFFICIAL! CARS ARE MORE RELIABLE BUT CAN INCUR EYE-WATERING REPAIR COSTS

MotorEasy sees hybrid models appear in its top 10 most dependable cars index for the first time, as more cars than ever achieve top reliability ratings

Posted on Jun 23, 2025

A leading provider of car ownership solutions, MotorEasy, has revealed that more cars than ever before are achieving top reliability scores in the MotorEasy Reliability Index[i]. Six cars all share the ‘most reliable’ crown at the end of the first quarter of 2025, including the Lexus CT – the first time a hybrid-only model has entered the top ten. But, warns MotorEasy, when cars do go wrong the cost to repair can be significant.

Analysis of more than nine-years-worth of warranty claims data[ii] revealed that for all-round reliability and cost efficiency, motorists should consider the petrol Volvo XC40 or Audi Q2. These two cars not only appear in the top ten most reliable index, but also are crowned the least expensive cars to maintain and repair as of the end of Q1 2025.

Though alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are now entering the MotorEasy Reliability Index top ten, they can be complex to repair, particularly hybrids which combine a battery with petrol or diesel power. As technology advances, the cost of parts is creeping up. One claim last quarter was a staggering £6244, for a battery fault on a Hyundai Ioniq EV.

Parts are getting more complex too. For example, an Audi A6 alternator would typically cost around £600 to replace, but the latest models use water-cooled parts that cost more than £2000 and, with no after-market or reconditioned alternatives available, can only be sourced directly from the manufacturer. 

Alongside advancing new technology, the MotorEasy repair team says that diesels too are generally expensive to repair. This is because motorists often use their diesels for city runs, not the longer trips they are designed for, which can cause repair issues due to a lack of proper use.

Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO of Intelligent Motoring, the parent company of MotorEasy said, “It’s interesting to see hybrids entering the top ten most reliable cars list, but when buying a vehicle, it is important for motorists to look at the whole picture and consider potential repair costs too. There is still an on-going parts shortage pushing up prices of parts, along with more complex manufacturing methods placing pressure on availability, so no matter how reliable a vehicle is, it can be costly if a repair is needed.”

“Once they have chosen their car, it is important that vehicle owners keep their vehicle and service history up to date as evidence that they are maintaining their vehicles. This is where a warranty can offer real peace of mind, not only by protecting against unexpected repair costs, but also by providing predictable, set payments that are easier to manage within a household budget. In times of rising repair bills, it can be a smart, cost-effective choice.”

 

[i] The MotorEasy Reliability Index combines hundreds of thousands of years’ worth of vehicle reliability data, from as far back as 2016 to date, from all makes and models between 3 and 15 years old with artificial intelligence (AI), Intelligent Motoring scores vehicles out of 10 to create its powerful MotorEasy Reliability Index for the benefit of buyers and owners alike.

[ii] The vehicles included in the data analysis were between 2 and 15 years old and the data represents more than 200,000 years’worth of warranty claim and repair records.

[iii] End of Quarter 1 2025

[iv] End of Quarter 1 2025