When you buy a used car, there is always the worry it'll prove unreliable, costing you money and plenty of headaches.
But second-hand car buyers can get a steer on which models are less likely to let them down and will prove to be faithful workhorses as the top 10 most reliable motors between three and 15 years old have been revealed.
Warrantywise, a provider of extended used car warranties with over 25 years of experience, has released its latest reliability index - and one Japanese brand has seen its models score very well indeed.
It used 1.6million proprietary repair data points to allocate an overall reliability score (ranked out of 100) to every make and model, giving consumers insight into the reliability of cars available in the UK.
It highlights relative reliability risk rather than label vehicles as definitively 'most' or 'least' reliable, because no vehicle is immune to faults and issues can arise at any point in a car's lifetime. Repairs are only one element of car ownership.
This is Money can exclusively reveal the 10 models that lead the rankings and demonstrate the kind of long-term reliability used car buyers depend on. And one very popular small car has taken the crown: here are the results.
=9. Suzuki Swift - 77.5/100
Starting off the top 10 is the Suzuki Swift, which lands in joint ninth place. The B-segment supermini car has been around since 2004 and has been a huge seller for the Japanese brand.
Its budget-friendliness and fuel economy have won it praise, and now its reliability score proves it won't let owners down too often.
The average repair request was £723.39, with the most expensive coming in at £3,993.47.
=9. Kia Ceed - 77.5/100
South Korea's popular hatchback scores joint ninth along with the Suzuki Swift.
The Ceed is a strong competitor for the VW Golf, offering family practicality, smart looks and a lot of standard kit for an affordable price.
In fact, it's one of the most practical hatchbacks you can buy with a class-leading 395-litre boot.
And the Ceed makes it into the top 10 most reliable cars according to Warrantywise, with a score of 77.5/100.
The average repair cost was slightly less than the Swift, at £709.10, but the most expensive repair request was significantly more at £5,069.30.
=7. Suzuki Vitara - 78/100
The second Suzuki to land a spot in the top 10 most reliable cars, the Vitara SUV is a larger family car which comes with hybrid technology.
First produced in 1988, the Vitara is in its fifth generation.
The robust design, practicality and affordability are big selling points - as is its reliability record.
In Warrantywise's ranking, the Vitara comes equal seventh and has an average repair request cost of £689.70. This goes up to £2,753.84 for the most expensive repair request.
7. Citroen C1 - 78/100
The Citroen C1 is a cheap A-segment car and was on sale from 2005 to 2022.
It’s great as a city car due to its small size and moveability, as well as its very low running costs and reliability scores.
It ranks seventh place here with a score of 78/100 and an average repair request of £659.87 - less than the Suzuki Vitara.
The most expensive repair request comes in at £4,536 though, far more than the Vitara.
6. Toyota Hilux - 78.4/100
Enter a much-loved pick-up truck: the Toyota Hilux.
The Hilux is a go to for workers and farmers, and has a rock-solid reputation for reliability.
The double cab pick-up shines during heavy duty work and is an exceptional off-roader and almost unbreakingly tough.
Coming in sixth the Hilux has a score of 78.4/100 but does come with a heft average repair request of £1,436.72 - the second highest on the list. The most expensive repair request was by far the most expensive at £6,503.57.
5. Peugeot 108 - 78.9/100
The Peugeot 108 ultra-compact car is a classic learner or first car and offers high affordability.
The extremely economical car is great around town due to its agility and how nifty it is to park. While not the most premium inside, the infotainment is easy to use.
Its reliability is great too, coming in fifth. The average repair request is £702.29 and the maximum is £3,546.
4. Toyota RAV4 - 79.9/100
The RAV4 marks Toyota's second placement on the top 10 most reliable list.
The hybrid top-selling SUV has an extremely impressive fuel economy, especially the hybrids models, and is well-like for its reliability.
It's spacious, practical and has good trim options - and it doesn't cost the earth.
It comes in fourth place on Warrantywise's list, almost managing 80/100.
However, the average repair request is £1,731.04 and the most expensive shoots up to £4,750.34.
3. Toyota Aygo - 83.8/100
The third Toyota in the top 10 is the Aygo.
The A-segment car is a very small city car that is appreciated for its smart looks, agile ride and high efficiency.
Like other Toyota models, it comes with a 10-year warranty and is highly reliable.
It takes third place here with a score of 83.8/100 and an average repair request of £480.64. The most expensive repair request is £1,316.16.
2. Kia Picanto - 86.8/100
The Picanto is Kia's second car on the reliability list, proving the South Korean brand can be trusted by drivers.
The very small A-segment car is well-liked for its smart interior and generous tech and easy drivability.
Its high reliability score here comes with an average repair request of £403.49 and a maximum repair request of £1,316.16.