Warranty Direct Reveals The Most and Least Reliable 4x4s

With the Indian summer making way for chillier climes, Warranty Direct has revealed the most – and least – dependable 4x4s and SUVs.

Honda’s HR-V (1998-2006) performed best, with only three in 100 recording a fault in the last 12 months, followed by Suzuki’s Grand Vitara (2005 onwards). (Of course most HRVs were actually two wheel drive.)

In stark contrast, Land Rover’s Range Rover (2002-onwards) was shown to be the most break down prone off-roader – two thirds of its reported faults were suspension or electrical hiccups – behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee (1999-2005) and Volkswagen’s Touareg (2003 onwards).

The study of nearly 16,000 three- to eight-year-old 4x4s and SUVs revealed the market segment to have some of the most expensive to run vehicles on Warranty Direct’s books.

Nevertheless, with another harsh winter predicted, there’s no better type of vehicle to tackle the snow and ice. 

Predictably, the top-10 is dominated by Japanese and Korean manufacturers, but Land Rover’s Freelander (2006 onwards) breaks their stranglehold, with only one in five breaking down annually and a modest average repair cost.

As used 4x4 prices rise prior to the inevitable cold snap, buyers are advised to seize the moment.

The study used Warranty Direct’s unique Reliability Index rating (www.reliabilityindex.co.uk), which takes into account how often vehicles break down, average repair cost and time spent in the garage to calculate its overall reliability. The lower the Reliability Index number, the more reliable and cheaper to repair the car.

 Top 10 rated 4x4/SUVs

(A lower Reliability Index rating means the vehicle is more reliable and less expensive to run)

Warranty Direct’s Duncan McClure Fisher said: “Modern 4x4s are a far cry from the noisy and uncomfortable off-roaders of the past. They are fairly expensive to run but our study shows that there’s a handful of incredibly reliable 4x4s which won’t break the bank.

“A four-wheel-drive vehicle is most definitely the transport of choice for any motorist during our cold months, particularly judging by our last few winters.” 

Bottom 5 rated 4x4/SUVs

(A higher Reliability Index rating means the vehicle is less reliable and more expensive to run)

In contrast to the top 10, none of the bottom 5 rated 4x4s hail from the East, instead they originate from Europe or America.

For more information on the reliability of your vehicle, visit www.reliabilityindex.com, or for a quote, go to www.warrantydirect.co.uk.

Follow Warranty Direct on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Warranty_Direct

Launched in 1997, Warranty Direct (www.warrantydirect.co.uk) was the first direct consumer Warranty Company to operate in the UK. It was the first to offer cover against failures caused by ‘wear & tear’ and pioneered warranty cover against faults found during MOT and service procedures. It has also spearheaded several major motoring campaigns, most notably regarding the state of the UK’s potholed roads and the cost of the hourly labour rate for workshop mechanics. It is owned by Cardif Pinnacle, a trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc and subsidiary of global banking house, BNP Paribas.