The most reliable car of each type: superminis to SUVs
The three models with the best MOT record in each class, for anyone who knows the kind of car they want but not which one.
By the CarComparison team · Updated · How we research
If you know you want a small SUV or a supermini but not which one, this is where to start. For each type of car, these are the three models with the best MOT record in 2024, among models with at least 30,000 tests, so there are plenty for sale. Every score allows for the age and mileage of each model's cars, so older models aren't marked down for their age.
City car
Volkswagen up! has the best record of the 16 widely owned city cars: 8% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Skoda Citigo (107) and Peugeot 108 (101). At the other end, the Vauxhall Adam scores 76. All city cars ranked.
Supermini
Honda Jazz has the best record of the 25 widely owned superminis: 12% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come MINI Hatch (113) and Toyota Yaris (105). At the other end, the DS DS3 scores 63. All superminis ranked.
Family hatchback
Lexus CT has the best record of the 23 widely owned family hatchbacks: 40% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Hyundai Ioniq (136) and Audi A3 (124). At the other end, the Renault Megane scores 78. All family hatchbacks ranked.
Large family car
Volkswagen Passat has the best record of the 9 widely owned large family cars: 18% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Skoda Superb (120) and Volvo V60 (120). At the other end, the Vauxhall Insignia scores 102. All large family cars ranked.
Executive car
BMW 5 Series has the best record of the 11 widely owned executive cars: 36% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Audi A6 (155) and BMW 4 Series (138). At the other end, the Tesla Model 3 scores 93. All executive cars ranked.
Sports car
Porsche 911 has the best record of the 6 widely owned sports cars: 62% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come BMW Z4 (144) and Audi TT (141). At the other end, the Volkswagen Scirocco scores 110. All sports cars ranked.
Small SUV
Audi Q2 has the best record of the 18 widely owned small SUVs: 36% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Honda HR-V (154) and Ford Puma (147). At the other end, the Dacia Duster scores 71. All small SUVs ranked.
Family SUV
Volkswagen T-Roc has the best record of the 27 widely owned family SUVs: 36% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come SEAT Ateca (142) and Skoda Karoq (140). At the other end, the Peugeot 3008 scores 84. All family SUVs ranked.
Large SUV
Audi Q7 has the best record of the 17 widely owned large SUVs: 37% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Audi Q5 (153) and BMW X5 (151). At the other end, the Peugeot 5008 scores 76. All large SUVs ranked.
MPV / people carrier
Volkswagen Sharan has the best record of the 12 widely owned people carriers: 15% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. Next come Volkswagen Touran (110) and Mercedes-Benz B-Class (106). At the other end, the Renault Scenic scores 81. All people carriers ranked.
How to use this
- A score of 100 is average for a car of the same age and mileage. Every point above 100 is fewer failures.
- These are model-wide figures across every year and engine. A particular car's own MOT history matters too: our free car check shows it.
- Reliability is one factor. Our comparisons put it next to price, boot space, safety and running costs.