Premium Brands Dominate List of Least Reliabile Cars, Reveals MotorEas

Eight out of ten lowest-ranked models come from luxury manufacturers

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

New data from the MotorEasy Reliability Index reveals that eight out of the ten least reliable cars on UK roads come from premium brands, including Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla¹.

At the very bottom of the November 2025 rankings sits the Tesla Model X, which records the lowest score of just 1 out of 10 for dependability and repair affordability. The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class follows closely behind, reinforcing a trend that higher-end technology and complexity can significantly increase the risk and cost of repairs.

Duncan McClure Fisher, Founder of MotorEasy comments, “Today’s cars may be smarter than ever, but MotorEasy’s data shows they’re not always more dependable. Many drivers assume premium cars are better built and more reliable, but our data shows that complexity and repair costs often work against them.”

The MotorEasy Reliability Index is calculated using real-world, real-time claims data and covers 350 models across 45 manufacturers². By assessing both repair frequency and average repair costs, it provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of each model's dependability.

Technological advancements can come at a cost

Analysis of MotorEasy’s November data also reveals some standout repair bills, illustrating the many and varied things that can and do go wrong with today’s modern cars. For example, a Citroen C4 needed a new gearbox, whilst a Volkswagen Passat got a new engine cylinder head and timing belt, both racking up eye-watering bills of nearly £8,000 and over £6,000 respectively.  Meanwhile, proving electric vehicles can also have hefty repair bills, an all-electric Porsche Taycan needed a new battery charger control module costing over £4,000.

As cars become increasingly complex and electronically integrated, seemingly inconsequential repairs can prove surprisingly expensive too. Who would have thought an electric Window Regulator –  the mechanical assembly inside a car door that raises and lowers the window glass – would cost over £500 for a Range Rover?

Reliability winners at the other end of the scale

In contrast to the premium brand reliability performance, the Toyota Previa continues to hold on to its crown as the most trustworthy car in the MotorEasy Reliability Index, retaining pole position as of 30 November 2025 with an overall score of 9.8 out of 10 for dependability and affordability.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross enters the top ten in November in tenth position, pushing the Suzuki Jimny out of the rankings. Elsewhere in the top ten, the hybrid Toyota C-HR climbs from eighth to fifth place, while the Kia Soul rises from ninth to sixth.

Concludes Duncan McClure Fisher, “With repair costs rising and vehicle technology becoming ever more complex, understanding real-world reliability has never been more important for UK drivers. The MotorEasy Reliability Index helps motorists make informed decisions, not just about what to buy, but how to protect themselves from costly repairs.”

For more car reliability information visit www.motoreasy.com/car-reliability  

 

¹As of 30^th November 2025

 ²The MotorEasy latest data analysis includes vehicles between two and 15 years old and represents more than 200,000 years’ worth of warranty claims and repair records.