Eight premium cars including Audi and BMW with common reliability issues, according to Which?

Shopping for a second-hand automobile is usually a aggravating expertise, particularly once you’re determined to not buy a automobile with a surprising reliability file that can value you an arm and a leg in restore payments.

However whereas the dependability of used motors is closely impacted by how nicely they have been sorted by earlier homeowners, there are particular automobiles which have the next than common fault rely that’s seems so frequent that it suggests a difficulty with that specific mannequin.

Shopper watchdog Which? has recognized eight standard automobiles the place a number of homeowners have reported experiencing – and having to pay to repair – the identical issues.

Which? says its distinctive reliability information – collated from hundreds of UK drivers – exhibits you’ll be able to’t depend on automobiles from premium manufacturers to be extra reliable.

In its newest survey, the patron group obtained suggestions from 50,323 particular person motorists a few complete of 59,921 automobiles they drive – with some proudly owning a couple of. 

Utilizing this information, it has recognized a number of fashions with above-average situations of particular faults.

And whereas some faults are extra critical than others, the eight fashions highlighted are affected by sure faults excess of different fashions of comparable ages.

The overwhelming majority of householders who reported these faults additionally confirmed that the issue wasn’t mounted by means of a producer recall, that means they greater than possible needed to fork out for it to be mounted.

Most recollects are voluntary processes put in place by automobile makers to motion frequent or critical points that may be a security concern, with the producer overlaying the price of rectifying the issue.

Nevertheless, faults that fail to fall into the class of harmful and a security situation are typically ignored. 

Natalie Hitchins, head of residence services and products at Which?, stated: ‘Our analysis exhibits how some standard automobiles are tormented by mechanical faults that might be costly to repair and even harmful for motorists.’

Here is the eight automobiles Which? says it’s worthwhile to be careful for… 

1. Alpine A110 (2018-present), 0-4 years previous

Gas system defects: 35% (4% avg throughout all 0-4 years automobiles)

Cooling system defects: 16% (3% avg throughout all 0-4 years automobiles)

Exhaust/emission fault: 16% (3% avg throughout all 0-4 years automobiles)

The Alpine A110 is a novel mannequin – and never simply because it is the one and solely mannequin the French sports activities automobile maker produces at the moment.

The 2-seat coupe is likely one of the sweetest dealing with – reasonably priced – efficiency fashions available on the market in the present day and comes with a bag stuffed with rallying heritage in addition.

However there are recurring points reported by homeowners to Which?.

In reality, the patron watchdog goes so far as saying it’s ‘blighted by a number of faults’, with a couple of in three homeowners reporting critical gas system part points. 

House owners stated their automobiles broke down, failed to begin or was deemed unsafe to drive in consequence. 

Cooling system and exhaust and emission issues with Alpine A110s are extra frequent than throughout automobiles of an identical age, the report stated

Much more regarding is that this fault affected seven instances extra automobiles than is typical for comparatively new fashions aged 0-4 years.

Marginally much less critical cooling system part faults have been additionally reported in excessive frequency, with breakdowns and A110s being unfit to drive in half of all these instances.

One other downside confronted by drivers of the Alpine – a model owned by Renault – is exhaust and emission part faults, that are comparatively minor.

Nevertheless, in 1 / 4 of situations of this fault, the automobile was unsafe however nonetheless drivable, homeowners stated. 

Which? contacted Alpine for touch upon the excessive frequency of faults reported by homeowners. 

‘All Renault Group manufacturers are dedicated to buyer satisfaction as a high precedence. As part of its high quality coverage, Renault Group deploys Recall or Service Campaigns as usually as essential to make sure clients full peace of thoughts with their automobile,’ a spokesperson stated.

‘In regard to gas system defects, we verify {that a} service marketing campaign was carried out in December 2023, with greater than 50 per cent of automobiles now rectified. 

‘Anybody searching for help ought to contact their native Alpine Centre.’

Which?’s Hitchens applauded Alpine’s method and stated different manufacturers ought to observe swimsuit.

‘It is encouraging to see Alpine doing work to handle faults however different producers have to be conscious issues are being reported,’ she stated. 

‘They [car manufacturers] must take duty and guarantee they’re mounted in order that motorists wouldn’t have to pay a whole bunch of kilos for repairs.’ 

Audi’s first-generation A1 has a a lot larger quantity of gas system defects than automobiles of its age

2. Audi A1 (2010-2018), 5-9 years previous

Gas system defects: 18% (4% avg throughout all 4-9 years automobiles)

Audi’s first-generation A1 hit the market in 2010 as a competitor to Mini, which on the time was the dominant compact premium hatchback with retro options.

And it proved fairly profitable, particularly in Britain, the place patrons have been completely satisfied to spend the next value for the Audi brand moderately than choosing a similarly-sized Ford Fiesta or VW Polo.

However homeowners of 5-to-9-year-old automobiles at the moment are beginning to see one main situation. 

Almost one in 5 drivers of petrol first-generation A1s on this age group informed Which? their automobile suffered from critical gas system part faults.

1 / 4 of the reported faults left homeowners and not using a automobile to drive, whereas round two in 5 (40 per cent) stated it triggered a breakdown.

Greater than three in 5 previous-generation Audi A3 Sportbacks aged 0-to-4 years with gas system defects have been undriveable, with 39% sharing this downside additionally struggling a breakdown

3. Audi A3 Sportback (2012-2020), 5-9 years previous

Gas system defects: 18% (4% avg throughout all 5-9 years automobiles)

One other massively standard automobile in Britain is Audi’s A3 household hatchback – particularly the Sportback model, which affords the practicality of 5 doorways.

However the earlier technology automobile seems to be affected by critical gas system part faults, although. 

Greater than three in 5 (18 per cent) of automobiles aged 0-to-4 years with this situation have been left undriveable due to the fault, with 39 per cent sharing this downside additionally struggling a breakdown.

The image seems higher for older diesel fashions, although, with 35 per cent of householders reporting that their automobiles have been nonetheless in a position to be pushed safely with the fault. 

A barely larger proportion of automobiles have been reported unsafe to drive, although.

1 / 4 of householders of the newest Audi A3 saloon stated they’d skilled gas system woes within the final 12 months

4. Audi A3 Saloon (2020-present), 0-4 years previous

Gas system defects: 25% (4% avg throughout all 0-4 years automobiles)

The Saloon model of the Audi A3 is not anyplace close to as standard because the hatch or sportback, however those that have purchased one of many present examples are generally reporting one massive situation. 

1 / 4 of householders stated they’d skilled gas system woes within the final 12 months. 

Half of householders who skilled this fault reported that their automobile wasn’t secure to drive, whereas others could not be began or broke down because of this fault.

Which contacted Audi about all three automobiles with a excessive quantity of the identical issues, however the German model declined to remark.

The present BMW 1 Sequence hatchback has a excessive case of faults regarding exhaust or emission management parts, which is especially impacting newer variations of the diesel-engined variants

5. BMW 1 Sequence (2019-present), 0-4 years previous

Exhaust/emission management system defects: 16% (5% avg throughout all 0-4 years automobiles)

If you happen to’re out there for a premium-branded household hatchback and do not buy an Audi A3, there’s an excellent likelihood you are driving a BMW 1 Sequence as a substitute.

However this German household motor additionally has one main situation that is reported generally by homeowners.

Once more, it faults regarding exhaust or emission management parts, which is especially impacting newer variations of the diesel-engined variants, in keeping with Which?’s survey outcomes. 

The fault affected greater than 3 times as many automobiles than the typical for all diesels of this age.

A 3rd of householders who skilled this fault final 12 months reported their automobile as being unsafe to drive.

Which?’s Automobile Reliability Survey discovered one other BMW mannequin is struggling an unusually excessive quantity of exhaust and emission management system defects – the previous-generation 5 Sequence

6. BMW 5 Sequence Saloon (2017-2023), 5-9 years previous

Exhaust/emission management system defects: 16% (5% avg throughout all 5-9 12 months automobiles)

One other BMW mannequin to endure an unusually excessive quantity of exhaust and emission management system defects is the previous-generation 5 Sequence.

This luxurious saloon is not an affordable motor however that does not exempt it from having reliability points.

Nevertheless, over half of the homeowners who stated their 5 Sequence suffered from this downside reported it as nonetheless be drivable. 

In an official response issued to Which?, the German automobile big stated: ‘The BMW Group UK has a long run dedication to high quality and high quality management. With out additional particulars regarding your assertion concerning the three fashions in query, we’re sadly unable to present a particular remark.’

Which? says exhaust and/or emission management system defects are predominantly a difficulty reported by drivers of earlier variations of the Mercedes C-Class Property

7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Property (2014-2021), 5-9 years previous

Exhaust/emission management system defects: 17% (5% avg throughout 5-9 years automobiles)

One other mannequin from a premium automobile model that is impacted by a higher-than-average quantity of particular fault is the previous-generation Mercedes C-Class Property.

Which? says exhaust and/or emission management system defects are predominantly a difficulty reported by drivers of earlier variations.

That stated, most automobiles with this situation (85 per cent) have been reported as nonetheless being secure to drive.

A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz responded, saying: ‘At Mercedes-Benz, we repeatedly monitor the efficiency of our automobiles and pay explicit consideration to any points that might have an effect on reliability and buyer satisfaction.

‘We’re unable to remark additional on this generalised subject and the outcomes of your survey with out reviewing particular instances, the related particular person circumstances and the foundation reason for any reported malfunctions.’

The next-than-average proportion of householders of first-generation VW Tiguans between 5-9 years previous report they’re affected by suspension part and spring faults

8. Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-2016), 5-9 years previous

Suspension faults: 22% (4% common throughout all 5-9 years automobiles)

Suspension spring faults: 13% (3% common throughout all 5-9 years automobiles)

The final of the premium automobiles with a higher-than-average quantity of problematic points is the unique VW Tiguan relationship again to 2008.

House owners of examples between 5 and 9 years previous report they’re affected by unusually excessive situations of suspension part and spring faults, all of which affected way more homeowners than automobiles usually of this age.

With the spring fault, the overwhelming majority of householders confirmed it resulted of their Tiguan being unsafe to drive. This determine was 50 per cent for the suspension part fault.

Volkswagen was contacted by Which? concerning the excessive fault price however the model failed to reply in time.