We all know that as cars get older they tend to develop problems and become less reliable.
But new data shows that even as cars reach an age where third-party warranty companies don’t want to know, some remain more dependable than others.
What Car?, which regularly rates cars up to five years old, has extended its research to find out which older models - those between five and 20 years old - have stood the test of time and which are storing up a history lesson’s worth of worries for owners.
Polling more than 12,000 owners to find out the frequency, severity and cost of breakdowns, the research revealed that Lexus remains the most reliable brand overall, but also looked at individual models across a range of vehicle segments.
Here we’ve broken down the best and worst performers in each category, each given a reliability rating out of 100.
What Car?, which regularly rates cars up to five years old, has extended its research to find out which older models - those between five and 20 years old - have stood the test of time and which are storing up a history lesson’s worth of worries for owners.
![After appearing at the bottom of the large SUV list, Land Rover and Volvo make a stronger showing in the more premium sector, but are topped by BMW.
BMW X5 (2013 - 2018) 86.1%; Range Rover Sport (2013 – present) 76.5%; Volvo XC90 (2002 - 2015) 75.0%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJhNjAyOTAwLTc4NzktNDdjNS04YzBkLTI1OWNmYmMyMTA3MDpmYjQwMjUzYS0zZmQ1LTRlYjItYmYyYi0xYzBmMDRjMTEyNGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Sports/luxury SUVs - top 3
After appearing at the bottom of the large SUV list, Land Rover and Volvo make a stronger showing in the more premium sector, but are topped by BMW. BMW X5 (2013 - 2018) 86.1%; Range Rover Sport (2013 – present) 76.5%; Volvo XC90 (2002 - 2015) 75.0%Photo: BMW/Land Rover/Volvo
![While newer models of the X5 are the most dependable, the first generation doesn't fare so well, along with Porsche's performance machine and the practical but problem-prone Discovery 3.
Porsche Macan (2014 - present) 40.4% BMW X5 (2007 - 2013) 42.6%; Land Rover Discovery (2004 -2017) 45.7%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI5NGM2MmRiLWFiYzctNDI2Ny1hODNmLWY4NDAxMmJmY2IxNjo4YjUyMTM5Zi01ODMyLTQ1MjQtYWVkZi02N2MzODZkNTJiNjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Sports/luxury - bottom 3
While newer models of the X5 are the most dependable, the first generation doesn't fare so well, along with Porsche's performance machine and the practical but problem-prone Discovery 3. Porsche Macan (2014 - present) 40.4% BMW X5 (2007 - 2013) 42.6%; Land Rover Discovery (2004 -2017) 45.7%Photo: Porsche/BMW/Land Rover
![Looking for a big and comfy second-hand mile-muncher? These popular models are the ones to consider.
Ford Mondeo (2014 - present) 97.7%; Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 - present) 93.9%; Mazda 6 (2013 - present) 93.4%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVmY2I2MTA4LWQ5YTYtNDk3Zi05ZmExLTVhYmY2Y2FiZjQyYzpiZWM2ZjBkZC02YzJmLTRhMzgtOTk0ZS0yY2Q2ZWY1ZDExYWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Executive cars - top 3
Looking for a big and comfy second-hand mile-muncher? These popular models are the ones to consider. Ford Mondeo (2014 - present) 97.7%; Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 - present) 93.9%; Mazda 6 (2013 - present) 93.4%Photo: Ford/Mercedes-Benz/Mazda
![Once again, older versions of the best performing cars crop up among the least reliable but Volkswagen's 2005 Passat out-faults them all.
Volkswagen Passat (2005 - 2015) 57.9%; Mazda 6 (2007 - 2012) 63.5%; Ford Mondeo (2007 - 2014) 64.8%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFmZDg5ZGU4LTc4OTItNDhkZi04NzFmLThhNTYzMjUzMzI0ZDo3ZGZhZTBmMy1iZDRkLTQxZjgtOTU4YS05ZDEyNTE3Zjc1OTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Executive cars - bottom 3
Once again, older versions of the best performing cars crop up among the least reliable but Volkswagen's 2005 Passat out-faults them all. Volkswagen Passat (2005 - 2015) 57.9%; Mazda 6 (2007 - 2012) 63.5%; Ford Mondeo (2007 - 2014) 64.8%Photo: Volkswagen/Mazda/Ford