Six of the most reliable cars

Six of the most reliable cars for your next lease

Fancy new tech and flashy features are all well and good, but when it comes to your next car lease, there’s one thing that should be at the top of your wishlist: reliability.

Nobody wants to spend their weekends at the garage instead of doing the things they actually enjoy.

And no one wants the stress of wondering whether their car will get them to work on Monday morning.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve combed through the latest What Car? reliability survey – which gathered data from nearly 30,000 car owners – to bring you six of the most dependable cars you can lease.

These aren’t just reliable, they’re properly good cars that won’t let you down.

From tiny city cars to spacious electric SUVs, we’ve found something for everyone who values peace of mind as much as they value a good drive.

Toyota Aygo X

Perfect reliability rating

Here’s something that’ll make you smile: the Toyota Aygo X scored a perfect 100% in the latest reliability survey.

Not a single Aygo X owner reported any problems whatsoever.

Zero. Zilch. Nothing.

That means no unexpected trips to the garage, no surprise repair bills, and no awkward conversations with your boss about why you’re late again.

Toyota’s tiniest and most affordable car has outdone its bigger siblings, proving you don’t need to splash out on a premium SUV to get a reliable set of wheels.

It’s brilliant news if you’re after a small, zippy car for city driving or you’re a new driver looking for something that won’t give you any nasty surprises.

Sure, it won’t win any prizes for boot space (231 litres – perfect for a weekly shop, less perfect for moving house).

But what it lacks in storage, it more than makes up for in dependability and charm.

Browse our latest Toyota Aygo X lease deals

Audi Q2

Premium reliability without the premium price tag

The Audi Q2 might be Audi’s smallest SUV, but it’s punching well above its weight when it comes to reliability.

Coming second in the small SUV category, it’s also the highest-scoring Audi in the entire survey – beating its bigger, more expensive siblings like the Q3 and Q7.

Only 3% of Q2 owners reported any issues, and every fault was fixed under warranty by Audi for free.

With its premium interior, compact size that’s perfect for city parking, and build quality that matches the four rings on its grille, the Q2 gives you that Audi feeling without the Audi-sized monthly payments.

Browse our latest Audi Q2 lease deals

Tesla Model Y

Electric reliability that actually works

Remember when electric cars had a reputation for being a bit, well, temperamental? Those days are long gone.

The Tesla Model Y is proof that electric cars can be just as reliable as dinosaur-powered vehicles – if not more so. It’s not only the highest-scoring electric SUV for reliability, it’s the best electric car overall.

Only 4% of Model Y owners experienced any problems, and again every single issue was sorted for free under warranty.

Three-quarters of cars were fixed the same day, and the rest were back on the road within a week.

With a WLTP Comb range of up to 331 miles and all the tech you could ever need (including those famous over-the-air updates), the Model Y proves that going electric doesn’t mean compromising on reliability.

It’s the perfect choice if you want to slash your running costs while driving something that’ll turn heads at the supermarket car park.

Browse our latest Tesla Model Y lease deals

Toyota RAV4

The SUV that just keeps going

Toyota has built quite the reputation for reliability over the years, and the RAV4 is a shining example of why.

Coming second in the large SUV category for reliability, only 3% of RAV4 owners had any issues with their cars. The problems that did crop up (mainly 12-volt battery or charging system issues) were sorted quickly and cheaply – 83% were fixed in less than a week, and those who had to pay anything were charged less than £200.

But reliability isn’t the RAV4’s only trick.

It’s also impressively efficient thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which means more money stays in your pocket. You get all the space and practicality of a proper SUV with running costs that won’t make your eyes water.

With adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance all as standard, the RAV4 is built to keep you safe and comfortable on every journey.

Browse our latest Toyota RAV4 lease deals

Renault Megane E-Tech

The electric car that’s anything but ordinary

Don’t let the Megane name fool you – this isn’t your typical Renault hatchback.

The Renault Megane E-Tech has chunky, SUV-like styling, but sits lower to the ground. Think of it as the best of both worlds: the practicality of an SUV with the handling of a hatchback.

Only 14% of owners experienced any problems, and those that did found their issues were sorted quickly and completely free of charges.

The problems that did crop up (mainly electrics and infotainment niggles) didn’t leave any cars undriveable, and everything was fixed within a week.

With a competitive range and a comfortable, refined drive, the Megane E-Tech proves that going electric doesn’t mean compromising on reliability or enjoyment.

Browse our latest Renault Megane E-Tech lease deals

Honda Jazz

Small car, big on dependability

The Honda Jazz might be a small hatchback, but it’s got a big heart – and an even bigger reputation for reliability.

Only 12% of Jazz owners reported any problems, mostly minor bodywork and battery issues.

The good news?

Virtually all cars stayed driveable, 55% were fixed in a day or less, and three-quarters were sorted within a week.

But the Jazz’s party trick isn’t just its reliability – it’s those ‘magic’ rear seats that fold completely flat, allowing you to fit surprisingly large items upright in the back.

We’re talking washing machines, wardrobes, that IKEA furniture you definitely didn’t measure properly (and we’re talking from experience here – I’ve managed to get a Billy bookcase in the back of one of these bad boys).

It’s also impressively frugal, meaning your monthly running costs stay as low as your monthly lease payments.

Browse our latest Honda Jazz lease deals

Why reliability matters for your lease

When you’re leasing a car, reliability becomes even more important.

You want to spend your time enjoying the drive, not explaining to friends why you’re constantly at the garage.

These six cars prove that reliable doesn’t have to mean boring.

Whether you’re after something small and zippy for city driving, a spacious SUV for family adventures, or an electric car that’ll slash your running costs, there’s a dependable option that’ll put a smile on your face.