I was wondering what make model of car that people have direct experience of that has proven the most reliable.

I have owned a number of makes/model and in order of reliability it would be:

1. Proton 1.5mpi Aeroback (1994) (297,000)

2. Skoda Felicia Gli hatchback (pre-face lift) (1997) (55,000)

3. Skoda Felicia LXi estate (post-face lift) (1999) (80,000)

4. Skoda Octavia 1.6 LX (1999) (21,000)

5. Lada Riva 1.2L (1986) (60,000)

6. Lada Riva 1.2L (1988) (40,000)

7. Lada Samara (1990) (50,000)

8. Ford Escort 1.3L (1981, early MK 3) (77,000)

The Proton was by far the most mechanically relaible, doing almost 300,000 miles with out any work other than consumables (Tyres and brake pads etc). Original exhaust clutch etc.

The Felicia's were almost as good, although not tested over the same mileage. Surprisingly the old Lada Riva's give very little mechanical problems, but the quality of wiring for rear lights was a continous problem and the front wings of the 1988 example rusted. The Lada Samara was a night mare and the Ford Escort was by far the worst car I have ever driven, drunk petrol, broke down regularly and started to rust when just as young as the worst of the two Lada Rivas.

Wasn't the Ford Focus the most reliable car in 2002 ??? It was put ahead of BMW's etc.

Ok in order of reliability;

SAAB 9000 Aero (267,000)

SAAB 9-5 Aero (48,000)

Peugeot 406 V6 (85,000)

Fiat Uno Turbo Mk 1 (39,000)

Porsche 944 Turbo (47,000)

Ford Escort Mk 4 (68,000)

Skoda Octavia RS (130,000 so far)

Toyaota Carina 2.0GTI (57,000)

Fiat Uno Turbo Mk 2 (138,000)

Fiat Uno 55S (85,000)

Fiat Uno 60S (87,000)

I've only included cars that I've done biggish mileages in, the others were just short term less than 30k miles stuff.

I'd put my three absolutely faultless Hondas in joint first place, followed by the Legacy.

I'll leave out the 4x4 as you can't really judge that at 20k kms. As it stands now, it beats the Legacy (which had a recurring driveshaft problem that was only solved after three dealer visits) but is already behind the Civics because of its first creek and rattle... (But then rattles aren't really a reliability issue.)

Wasn't the Ford Focus the most reliable car in 2002 ??? It was put ahead of BMW's etc.

Yes, Ford really made hay about that with a huge marketing campaign - and apparently a very convincing one!

Fact is that scored best in its class (so not overall) in the 2002 T

William, the Proton and Lada were basic cars with minimal equipment to go wrong, and the Felicia is probably in the same category. Modern cars have to comply with a multitude of regulations - including those relating to emissions - which add to their complexity and mean that there are far more components to go wrong.

Modern cars have to comply with a multitude of regulations

I'm not sure if this is fact, but isn't there also a regulation with regard to disposal of "old" vehicles? So new cars have to be made in such a way that they can be disposed of easily and in an environmentally friendly way, so cars are made to essentially decompose...

Read it somewhere on the 'net, but that doesn't mean it's true!

Rob.

Yes the Lada and Felicia were basic cars, and I agree fully about complexity increasing the chances of problems, but I think it goes further than that, the Proton's engine was in some respects more complex than my current Octavia (ie 12V instead of 8) but was rock solid reliable. It was in fact a Mitshubushi (or however it is spelt) engine.

Of course the quality of the inside finish was terrible in the Proton compared with any of the Skodas, and it was quite ugly to look at. Its handling was not brillaint but considering that like my Felicia's the steering was not power assisted it was almost as light as in the PAS Octavia. The Felicia was like steering a tank in comparison.

I guess I am trying to say that the Proton was engineered to a very high standard but let down by the cosmetic finish.

Most reliable car,,

That would have to be my 1985 Audi 90 quattro .... 250K miles

Regular trips from Scotland to Stoke ....

The only time it actually broke down was when the voltage regulator failed

and the battery gave up the ghost, as my G/F now Wifey was travelling over the Forth road bridge, she managed to free wheel down the other side to a lay by... RAC man fixed it jump started it.. and away it went...

Closely followed by my Passat TDI 110.. only serious problem was ... engine warning light came on... I followed instruction from the dealer and handbook,

car felt fine.. did a 200 mile trip defore I could drop it in at dealers.. brake switch had failed, so no BRAKE lights!!!!

Worst car was a 1984 Talbot Alpine, only 47K miles, broke down that often that I permantly carried toolbox and overalls to partially strip carb down to clear crap from jets....... this usually worked... RAC got 5 calls over 2 years

Awfull...

cheers

Dazz

the Proton's engine was in some respects more complex than my current Octavia (ie 12V instead of 8)

But only 3 cylinders...

Rob.

Just to give you an impression of the 73 types of cars that took part in this Dutch survey:

1. Subaru Forester

2. Toyota Yaris

3. Honda Accord

4. Toyota Corolla

5. Toyota Corolla Verso

...

69. Renault Espace

70. Daewoo Tacuma

71. Renault M