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Most and least reliable used cars: MPVs

We name the most dependable – and most troublesome – used cars aged from six to 20 years old, based on owners’ experiences...

Used Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2012-present

The most reliable MPVs

1. Mercedes B-Class diesel (2012-2019)

Reliability rating 98.3%

Issues with engine electrics were the only complaint from B-Class owners, who told us only 12% of their cars had suffered a fault in the previous 24 months. It's fair to assume all problems were minor because all cars could still be driven and half were back on the road in a day or less and the rest were fixed in less than a week. Best of all, Mercedes covered the cost of all remedial work, so no owners were left with any nasty unexpected repair bills. 

Used Mercedes cars for sale >>


2. Kia Venga (2010-2019)

Reliability rating 95.8%

2015 Kia Venga - prices, engines, specs

Although 25% of Venga owners told us their car had gone wrong, most of the issues related to minor areas: 19% were issues with the bodywork and 6% were with non-engine electrical systems. All cars remained driveable and 75% of issues were resolved in a day or less; the rest were sorted in less than a week. Kia covered the cost of 50% of bills and none of the rest topped £50, so repair costs were minimal. 

Used Kia cars for sale >>


3. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2013-2018)

Reliability rating 86.4%

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

The Zafira Tourer may be third here, but that isn’t saying much. Owners said 29% of cars went wrong; the battery, exhaust and non-engine electrics were the most commonly cited issues. Almost all cars could still be driven and two thirds were fixed in less than a day, but 13% spent more than a week in the garage. Although 13% of work was done for free, 50% of repairs cost up to £200 and 13% cost more than £1500. 

Used Vauxhall cars for sale >>


Least reliable MPVs

3. Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015)

Reliability rating 68.7%

Deal of the day: Volkswagen Touran

Nearly a third (29%) of Tourans had a problem, with owners citing the battery, brakes and gearbox/clutch as the most common causes of discontent. Virtually all cars could still be driven, but a third spent more than a week in the garage. No work was done for free and repair bills ranged from less than £50 to more than £1500.


2. Vauxhall Zafira (2005-2016)

Reliability rating 58.7%

Used cars of the week: 6k Vauxhall Zafiras

Zafira owners told us 35% of their cars had suffered faults spanning a wide range of areas. Twenty percent of cars couldn’t be driven and more than a third took up to a week to repair. While most bills were between £51 and £500, around 20% of owners paid out between £751 and £1500 or more. 


1. Ford Galaxy diesel (2006-2015)

Reliability rating 33.1%

Used Ford Galaxy MPV 06 -15

A worrying 80% of the Galaxys reported on had gone wrong in the previous 24 months, with the main areas of concern being the battery, brakes, electrics, engine exhaust, fuel system and gearbox/clutch.

Nearly 40% of faulty cars couldn't be driven and 37% took more than a week to fix. Most bills were less than £500, but 16% of owners were charged more than £1500 to get their cars put right.


To read the data for other car classes follow these links:

Small cars here
Family cars here
Executive cars here
Luxury cars here
Small SUVs here
Family SUVs here
Large SUVs here
Luxury SUVs here
Electric and hybrid cars here
Sports cars here
Car brands here


Reliability of MPVs aged six to 20 years old

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