German brands storm reliability survey
BMW’s 3-Series has been named the most reliable company car as German brands dominated each category in Fleet News’ annual FN50 reliability survey.
The brand was also considered to be the most reliable car manufacturer while Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter was deemed to be the most dependable van with Volkswagen claiming the most reliable van manufacturer accolade.
The FN50 is decided by the 50 largest leasing companies in the UK who boast a fleet of more than 1.2m vehicles between them.
Japanese brands give way as a result of the surge of German popularity with Honda, Nissan and Toyota all getting shoved down the reliability rankings.
“Van reliability is arguably more important than car reliability as vital supply chains can be disrupted through unnecessary vehicle downtime,” commented Stephen Briers, Editor at Fleet News.
“BMW has built on its position as most reliable car manufacturer supplying the UK’s largest contract hire companies, adding yet another attribute to low CO2 emissions, modest overall running costs and rewarding driving behaviour and making its cars more desirable to fleet operators.
“Volkswagen has demonstrated with its leading position as a van manufacturer, and high placing for its models, that fleet operators can choose its vehicles in confidence.
“As the quality of vehicles continually improves, competition becomes increasingly tough to single out the best performers. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has always had a reputation for strength and durability and its top placing in the FN50 van reliability survey shows this impression is well deserved.”
Tim Abbott, MD at BMW UK, was delighted with the brand’s performance. He said: “The outgoing BMW 3 Series Saloon and the 3 Series range overall has been and continues to be an outstanding success for us.
“Awards such as this ensure customers can buy a class-leading vehicle safe in the knowledge that only years of enjoyable, hassle free motoring in a premium car await.”
How the survey results panned out:
Most reliable cars
1 BMW 3 Series
2 Honda Accord
3 Volkswagen Golf
4 Audi A3
5 Toyota Avensis
6 Nissan Qashqai
7 Volkswagen Passat
8 Audi A4
9 Mazda6
10 BMW 5 Series
Most reliable car manufacturers
1 BMW
2 Audi
3 Honda
4 Volkswagen
5 Toyota
6 Nissan
7 Mercedes-Benz
8 Ford
9 Lexus
10 Skoda
Most reliable vans
1 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter [pictured above]
2 Ford Transit Connect
3 Volkswagen Caddy
4 Ford Transit
5 Volkswagen Transporter
Most reliable van manufacturers
1 Volkswagen
2 Ford
3 Mercedes-Benz
4 Fiat
5 Renault
See also:
1 Comment
I can not believe that japanese makes are not so reliable.
andries
November 11, 2011, 1:59 pm.
