The used cars with lower reliability scores: more expensive doesn’t always mean more reliable.

(Approx: 5min read)

Many drivers expect a higher-priced used car to offer better quality, but when it comes to reliability, the reality can be more nuanced. Especially when higher prices often come with added complexity, stronger performance, and larger, more demanding vehicle designs. 

Warrantywise’s Overall Reliability Scores in this segment typically sit at around 17.2 – 28/100. These vehicles tend to see repair requests at around six to seven years old and just under 70,000 miles. That points to issues emerging later in ownership, often influenced as much by servicing, driving conditions, and usage as by the original build quality. 

Premium and more technically complex models appear more frequently in these lower-scoring bands. As these vehicles age, the added demands of advanced electronics, larger platforms, and more sophisticated powertrains can increase the likelihood of faults. 

All 10 vehicles featured fall within the premium used car market, where higher upfront costs are expected. On average, repair costs come in at £2,051.63. It’s also important to remember that regular servicing, maintenance and how a vehicle is used all play a key role well-maintained cars may experience far fewer problems. 

The models below highlight where issues are more likely to emerge over time. 

* Mercedes S-Class places 3rd due to higher average repair costs than the Audi A7.

Why more expensive doesn’t always mean more reliable:

It might seem surprising to see premium vehicles appear more frequently in lower reliability rankings, but there are a couple of reasons why this happens. 

1. Increased complexity.

Modern premium vehicles are packed with advanced systems, from sophisticated infotainment setups to complex powertrains and driver assistance (ADAS) features. While these technologies enhance the driving experience, they also introduce more potential points of failure over time. 

2. Larger vehicle architecture.

Larger SUVs and executive saloons often place greater strain on components such as suspension systems, drivetrains and braking systems. Over time, this can lead to higher wear on these areas, particularly in vehicles used for long-distance or heavy-duty driving. 

When do issues start to appear?

Interestingly, the data suggests that many reliability issues are not immediate, but instead develop over time. 

Across the lower-ranked vehicles: 

• Repairs typically occur at 6-7 years old. 
• Average mileage at repair is just under 70,000 miles. 

This points to an important insight: Reliability challenges are often linked to long-term ownership and use factors, rather than poor initial build quality. 

These use factors can include: 

• Part failure from regular use  
• Maintenance history (or lack of it)  
• Driving patterns and environment  

For buyers considering used vehicles in this age range, these crucial considerations, particularly as many cars enter the market after their initial warranty period has expired. 

The most common types of repair in this segment:

Our data also highlights the types of repair issues most frequently reported across these vehicles.

The most common repair category is emissions-related issues, affecting four out of the 10 vehicles. This reflects wider trends in the automotive industry, where stricter emissions standards and more complex systems can lead to: 

• Sensor faults  
• Exhaust system issues  
• EGR (Exhaust Gas Re-circulator) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)-related problems  

In addition, electrical system faults and suspension-related issues appear regularly across the dataset. 

Together, these findings reinforce the idea that modern vehicles, particularly premium ones, require significant ongoing care and maintenance to perform reliably over time. 

Balancing reliability and desirability:

Despite their lower reliability scores, it’s important to recognise that these vehicles remain highly desirable among drivers.  

That’s because purchasing decisions are rarely based on reliability alone. When it comes to this type of vehicle, drivers continue to be drawn to their: 

• Spacious interiors  
• High levels of comfort  
• Strong performance  
• Advanced technology  
• Premium design and brand appeal  

For many, these benefits outweigh the potential risks – particularly if they are aware of them in advance. 

As Antony Diggins, Managing Director of Warrantywise, explains: 

What this means for used car buyers:

So, what practical advice should used car buyers/drivers take away from our data? 

1. Do your research.

Using our Reliability Index to understand how a vehicle performs over time can help avoid unexpected surprises later on. 

2. Consider the total cost of ownership.

The purchase price is just one part of the equation. Ongoing maintenance and repair costs can significantly affect overall affordability. Be sure to check this against your budget before any purchase is made. 

3. Look at age and mileage.

Vehicles around the 6-to-7-year mark may be more likely to require repairs, making pre-purchase inspections and attention to service history especially important. 

4. Don’t overgeneralise.

Our Reliability Index reflects trends, not guarantees. Not all vehicles from any one manufacturer will experience problems.  

5. Think about warranty support.

With repair costs rising, many drivers are considering options such as extended warranties to help manage unexpected expenses. 

Remember, reliability is only one piece of the puzzle:

Ultimately, the Warrantywise Reliability Index highlights an important truth about modern car ownership: There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ vehicle. In contrast, many well maintained vehicles might not experience many problems at all.  

Every car represents a specific balance between: 

• Performance  
• Comfort  
• Technology  
• Running costs  
• Reliability  

For some drivers, a premium SUV or executive saloon will still be absolutely the right choice – provided they go in with realistic expectations about maintenance and ownership costs. 

Understanding the Warrantywise Reliability Index:

Warrantywise’s Reliability Index provides a data-led insight of how vehicles perform over time on UK roads from a reliability point-of-view. Drawing on 1.6 million data points from our proprietary dataset, the Index assigns each make and model a score out of 100, based on real-world repair data.  

Unlike perception-based rankings or owner surveys, our approach uses four main criteria to assign an Overall Reliability Score for each vehicle: 

• Frequency of repair requests  
• Labour time for repairs  
• Vehicle age at the time of repair  
• Vehicle mileage at the time of repair 

The result? A more factual and grounded understanding of how used vehicles behave as they age, particularly important for used car buyers navigating an increasingly complex market. 

It’s also worth noting that the Index measures relative reliability risk. No vehicle is completely immune to issues, and maintenance, driving style and usage all play a significant role in long-term performance. 

Warrantywise plans start from just £40 per month for the models listed in this article. Get a quote or speak to one of our friendly warranty experts on 0800 001 4990 today about how we can help manage the financial impact of unexpected repairs. 

Sources:

Reliability Index scores are based on historical repair request data, including 1. Repair request frequency, 2. Labour hours, 3. Average vehicle age at repair and 4. Average vehicle mileage at repair between Jan 2023 and Jan 2026. The data includes vehicles aged three to fifteen years old, with a minimum of 250 vehicles on plan per model.   

Average repair request values reflect the data period analysed. Ongoing increases in labour and parts costs may affect future repair costs. All data is sourced from Warrantywise’s internal Reliability Index and is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. Warrantywise may update this information as new Index data becomes available.  All car class/segment titles referred to taken from euroncap.com. 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All data correct as of March 2026.