The most and least reliable used cars according to TÜV-Report

Note: The latest reliability results are now available in a separate article: The Least and Most Reliable Used Cars (TÜV Report 2026)

Germany's TÜV has released its traditional used car reliability statistics. The statistics are based on mandatory inspections at German MOT stations. It should be noted that TÜV is not the only MOT operator in Germany, but it is one of the largest in terms of the number of vehicles inspected.

The statistics show the failure rate for individual models, while the failure rate is the average rate of defects found during the MOT inspection.

Yuo can also check out the latest statistics for 2025: The most and least reliable used cars according to TÜV Report 2025

Cars up to 3 years old

For young used cars, the statistics are the most accurate, as they are not yet affected by the diligence of the owners during maintenance or the way the vehicles are used. The prizes traditionally include VW, Audi and Mercedes models. The popular SUVs Mitsubishi ASX and Suzuki Vitara also did very well.

On the contrary, the Tesla Model 3 fared very badly, finishing at the bottom of the ranking. Škoda Scala or Superb also had very bad results.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 3 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. VW Golf Sportsvan	2,0 %
2. Audi Q2	2,1 %
3. Audi TT	2,5 %
4. Mercedes B Class	2,6 %
4. Mercedes GLC	2,6 %
4. VW e-Golf	2,6 %
4. VW T-Roc	2,6 %
5. Mitsubishi ASX	2,9 %
5. Toyota RAV4	2,9 %
6. Audi Q5	3,3 %
6. Suzuki Vitara	3,3 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 3 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Tesla Model 3	14,7 %
2. Dacia Logan	11,4 %
3. Seat Alhambra	10,3 %
4. Opel Crossland	10,2 %
4. Dacia Dokker	10,2 %
5. Škoda Scala	9,1 %
5. Ford Galaxy	9,1 %
6. Škoda Superb	9,0 %
7. VW Sharan	8,9 %
8. Dacia Sandero	8,8 %

Cars up to 5 years old

For five-year-old used cars, VW and Audi still reign supreme. Škoda Karoq finished as the sixth most reliable car. Four BMW models and three Dacias rank among the worst.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 5 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. VW Golf Sportsvan	4,2 %
1. VW T-Roc	4,2 %
2. VW T-Cross	4,6 %
3. Audi A6/A7	4,7 %
4. Audi Q2	4,9 %
5. VW e-Golf	5,0 %
6. Mercedes B Class	5,3 %
6. Škoda Karoq	5,3 %
7. VW Touareg	5,4 %
8. Audi A3	5,5 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 5 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. BMW X5/X6	17,9 %
2. VW Sharan	17,7 %
3. BMW 2 Active Tourer	17,6 %
4. Seat Alhambra	17,3 %
5. Dacia Dokker	16,5 %
6. BMW X1	16,4 %
7. Dacia Logan	16,0 %
8. BMW 5/6	15,1 %
9. Mini Cooper	14,7 %
10. Dacia Sandero	13,9 %

Cars up to 7 years old

The older the used cars are, the more Japanese cars shine. There are five Japanese models in the TOP 10. On the contrary, more and more Dacias appear among the worst.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 7 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Mazda CX-3	6,5 %
2. Audi TT	7,2 %
3. VW Gold Sportsvan	7,3 %
4. Suzuki SX4	7,7 %
5. Mercedes B Class	7,8 %
6. Suzuki Vitara	8,0 %
7. Mazda 2	8,1 %
8. Audi Q2	8,3 %
9. Honda Jazz	8,4 %
10. Mercedes A Class	8,6 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 7 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Dacia Dokker	25,9 %
2. BMW 5/6	24,8 %
3. Dacia Duster	24,6 %
4. Dacia Logan	22,4 %
5. Ford Ka	21,8 %
6. Dacia Sandero	21,0 %
7. BMW X5/X6	20,8 %
8. VW Sharan	19,8 %
9. BMW 2 Active Tourer	19,6 %
10. Seat Alhambra	19,4 %

Cars up to 9 years old

Among reliable nine-year-old used cars, in addition to the traditionally very reliable Suzuki SX4, you can also surprisingly come across Audi Q5 or VW Touareg. In addition to Dacias, French and Italian cars also appear among the worst.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 9 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Mercedes B Class	10,5 %
2. Suzuki SX4	10,8 %
3. VW Golf Sportsvan	10,9 %
4. Mercedes A Class	11,4 %
5. Audi Q5	12,0 %
6. VW Touareg	12,4 %
7. Honda Jazz	12,7 %
7. Volvo XC60	12,7 %
8. Toyota RAV4	12,8 %
9. Audi A3	13,1 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 9 years old

Model	Failura rate
1. Dacia Dokker	32,2 %
2. Fiat Punto	29,7 %
3. Dacia Logan	29,1 %
4. Dacia Duster	28,5 %
5. Renault Megane	27,4 %
6. Dacia Sandero	26,5 %
7. Ford Mondeo	26,1 %
8. Hyundai i20	25,7 %
9. BMW 5/6	25,4 %
10. Hyundai i30	25,3 %

Cars up to 11 years old

Among the most reliable, we find the most Mercedes and VW models. At the bottom of the table are mainly Renaults and Dacias.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 11 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Audi TT	12,3 %
2. Mercedes B Class	14,6 %
3. VW Touareg	15,6 %
4. Honda Jazz	16,2 %
4. Mercedes M Class	16,2 %
5. Toyota RAV4	16,6 %
6. Audi Q5	16,8 %
6. VW Golf Plus	16,8 %
7. BMW X1	17,2 %
8. Mini Cooper	17,5 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 11 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Renault Twingo	36,2 %
2. Dacia Logan	35,5 %
3. Renault Clio	34,6 %
4. Fiat Punto	34,2 %
5. Fiat Panda	34,2 %
6. Renault Megane	33,9 %
6. Citroen C3	33,9 %
7. Dacia Duster	33,7 %
7. Dacia Sandero	33,7 %
8. Peugeot 207	32,7 %

Cars up to 13 years old

In the case of 13-year-old used cars, the level of failure already has a lot to do with the diligence of their owners during maintenance and the way they use the cars. But the Audi TT, Toyota RAV4 or Volvo XC60 can certainly be described as very reliable used cars. The Dacia Logan is in the worst situation, which previously suffered mainly from corrosion.

✅ Most reliable cars up to 13 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Audi TT	15,0 %
2. VW Golf Plus	20,7 %
3. Toyota RAV4	21,3 %
4. BMW X1	21,4 %
5. Volvo XC60	22,5 %
6. Audi A3	22,8 %
7. Honda Jazz	22,9 %
8. Audi A6/A7	23,0 %
9, Mercedes E Coupe	23,2 %
10. Mini Cooper	23,2 %

❌ Least reliable cars up to 13 years old

Model	Failure rate
1. Dacia Logan	40,9 %
2. Renault Twingo	39,9 %
3. Nissan Qashqai	38,8 %
4. Renault Clio	38,6 %
5. Dacia Sandero	38,5 %
6. Fiat Punto	37,7 %
7. Peugeot 207	37,6 %
8. Fiat Panda	37,3 %
9. Ford Galaxy	37,1 %
10. Kia Picanto	37,0 %

A used car's reliability is determined by its history

Even a car that is generally considered very reliable can be a financial nightmare for the buyer. The behavior and maintenance of the previous owners largely contribute to the reliability of the used car.

Before buying a used vehicle, it is therefore crucial to find out as much information as possible about the car's history. Fortunately, this can be done online in a few moments at Cebia.com today. Cebia maintains the largest database of used vehicle records in Europe, which contains all important information from MOT reports, through odometer records, to insurance claims. You can find out what the result of the check looks like in the sample report.

Why is it a good idea to check this information? Thanks to checking the history of the vehicle, you can easily avoid badly repaired cars after total accidents, stolen cars with a fake identity or cars with a twisted odometer. For verification, just enter the vehicle's VIN code, which any honest dealer will provide.

Check vehicle history:

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