Japanese Make Clean Sweep

爱国爱港

Standouts among the models were the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Jazz. They rated above average across all age group. The Suzuki Swift and the Toyota Yaris were among the most reliable of the cars bought new since 2004, while the Honda Civic and CRV and the Mazda 6 rated above average for cars bought new between 2001 and 2006.

We asked what parts of the car had experienced problems during the previous 12 months. The top three troublespots were the electrical system, brakes and power fittings.

The electrical system which includes the starter, alternator, battery, gauges, wiper motor, wiring and lights was the most common problem area. One in nine cars in our survey had suffered from these problems.

Electrical-system glitch were more common in older cars, affecting 15% of cars bought new between 2001 and 2003 compared with 7% of those bought between 2007 and 2010.

Older Audis and Mercedes-Benz (2001-2003), newer Holdens (2007-2010), and Fords and Peugeots bought new between 2001 and 2006, were more likely to have electrical problems than other cars in their age group

The brake system includes hydraulics, linings, discs or drums, ABS and stability control. Brake problems were reported in 8% of cars in our survey.

11% of older (2001-2003) cars had problems with their brakes, compared with 4% of newer (2007-2010) cars.

Fords of all ages and 2004-2006, Peugeots and Holdens were more likely to have brake problems than other cars of the same age.

6% of cars had problem with power fittings: power windows, locks, mirrors, seat adjustment, sun roof or audio. Problems with these fitting may not cause a car to break down but they can be annoying and expensive to fix.

Fords and Holdens bought new between 2001-2006 and Volkswagens bought between 2001-2003 were more likely than other cars in these age groups to have problems with power fittings.

Holden and Ford dominated the lists of models with more problems than average. As well, Volkswagen Golf bought new between 2001-2003 were also more likely to have problems with their ignition system and cooling system that other cars in the same age group. BMW 3 Series in this age group had more problems overall but didn't stand out in any single area. Most of the BMW were used imports.

Owners of Hyundai Santa Fes were among the most satisfied in our survey. So we were surprised that newer (2007-2010) Santa Fe models had more problems than average for cars in this age group. We checked further and found that, while their problem rate was average in most area, the Santa Fes were more likely than other models to have faulty interior fittings.

Cars with diesel engine accounted for 11% of all cars in our survey (and 20% of the newer cars). Fuel-system problems were more likely with a diesel engine. They occurred in 2% of cars overall, but went up to 6% ub diesels.

Used imports made up 16% of our sample (and 34% of the oldest cars). There was no difference between their overall reliability and the reliability of cars that had been imported as new.

(Consumer, issue 218, October 2011, p.16-18)
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