New cars less reliable than old ones

By Carsguide team
Carsguide
01 February 2012

... newer models are more expensive to repair than their older variants.

Some new cars are 10 per cent more likely to break down than the previous models.

A UK warranty survey has found that older models of Audi A4, Jaguar XJ, Porsche Boxster, Ford Fiesta and BMW 3 Series are among the cars that are more reliable than their newer versions.

The results were from an analysis of 50,000 vehicle insurance policies conducted by Warranty Direct in the UK.

Warranty Direct managing director Duncan McClure also points out that newer models are more expensive to repair than their older variants.

He says the average repair cost for a Ford Fiesta built between 2002 and '08 is almost double that paid by owners of a '95-'02 model and recent BMW 3 Series models are three times more prone to picking up brake system problems.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 9 comments

Has anyone noticed that the price to buy cars also gets cheaper with age?? You compare a '95 Fiesta with an '08 one... what is the comparison exactly? Your old Lemon costs more to repair than my new apple? Following this logic, a VS commodore would be cheaper to repair than a VE... go figure.
Marshall of Adelaide Posted on 14 February 2012 2:47am
Comparison - so many more things to go wrong. We want power everything, heated whatsits, blue-teeth, airbags galore, ESC, ABS, Adaptive cruise, parking assist, sensors and cameras, auto lights, auto wipers, traction control - you get the drift. I'll stick with my new models, and enjoy the stuff. And Shaks Back - this is odd - people I asked about them said they were great - I enquired when looking for a new car at the end of last year.
Alan of Logan City Posted on 10 February 2012 10:43pm
Wow, judge the quality of a car based on battery life, as supllied from a 3rd party supplier. You are def a Toyota loser
Toyota Bogan Posted on 10 February 2012 9:01pm
Buy a Toyota, we have a Toyota Camry, only once she let us down, reason, The battery died after 6 years and 11 months, never thought batteries could last that long. We also have a Territory, the battery was replaced with-in 3 years. Wish I bought a Kluger.
BT Dandenong South of Dandenong South Posted on 09 February 2012 9:50pm
Any VW product shud be bought only after saving an extra 10g to cover the hidden cost of running and unreliability!
ryemanrye of Rye Posted on 09 February 2012 11:22am
Re Shaks back, what the hell are you doing with your Cruze? I have had 18 months absolutely trouble free with my Cruze. The only time it needed to go to the workshop was for it's annual / 15000 km service. Oh I forgot; I have had one puncture.
Gerry of Wishart of Wishart Q. 4122 Posted on 08 February 2012 6:13pm
Funny that phuong considering this is a UK (read European) based survey.
Sydlocal Posted on 03 February 2012 7:16pm
Audi A4, Jaguar XJ, Porsche Boxster, Ford Fiesta and BMW 3 Series ARE ALL EURO marketed and designed. Not really surprising)
phuong Posted on 03 February 2012 11:40am
I would have to agree, my Cruze has broken down 7 times in the last 12 months. Sometimes it spends more time at the dealer than at home.
Shaks Back Posted on 02 February 2012 3:54pm

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