German Car Manufacturers Lose Reliability Rating?

German Car Manufacturers Lose Reliability Rating?

The main German mass market manufacturers such as Mercedes and Audi are known for the quality and reliability of the cars they produce. However, a recent survey has shown that not all German manufacturers build reliable cars.

A study put together by Warranty Direct has looked at the reliability of engines for a total of 36 manufacturers. They based the data on the claims they have received in the past and found that German cars weren't as reliable as the public are lead to believe.

The study displayed the reliability of the Japanese manufacturers Honda and Toyota as they received the lowest failure rating of 1 in 344 for Honda and 1 in 171 for Toyota. On the other hand, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen all featured in the bottom 10 with Audi only beaten to the worst engine reliability title by MG Rover.

Audi had a reliability rating which displayed that the firm had an engine failure in 1 in every 27 models in the UK. This data is only of the vehicles who have to put a claim in to Warranty Direct, meaning that the results are not as valid or reliable as the study may suggest.

However, the other German brand Mercedes, achieved a positive reliability rating finishing just behind the two Japanese manufacturers Honda and Toyota. Engine failures are seen as the worst form of failures to have on the vehicle in terms of cost. A recent claim of £13,000 was put in by the owner of a Range Rover Evoque after the engine failed.

Other claims such as suspension and axle damage are far more popular but are seen as less severe in terms of the cost. Although, this research may seem extremely viable, the method of sample has a bias to it, as the cars have already incurred damage which has lead to the claim.