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.
![Two titans of the segment prove their worth with dependable performance, joined by a slice of old-school British luxury.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 - 2016) 94.0%; BMW 5 Series (2010 - 2017) 82.6%; Jaguar XJ (2003 - 2009) 82.0%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJiYmU4YWU5LTMzMGMtNDNlMS04ZDhlLWUwZGIzMGIxNzIzOTozYmZmMTg2OS0zOGY3LTRiNjEtYTQ2Ny01NGQ2MjIwNzAzNWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
13. Luxury cars - top 3
Two titans of the segment prove their worth with dependable performance, joined by a slice of old-school British luxury. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 - 2016) 94.0%; BMW 5 Series (2010 - 2017) 82.6%; Jaguar XJ (2003 - 2009) 82.0%Photo: Mercedes-Benz/BMW/Jaguar
![The E-Class manages to be top and bottom of the table, with the earlier 2002-09 version proving less dependable, ahead of Jaguar's XF and the relatively new Audi A6.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2002 - 2009) 74.9%; Jaguar XF (2007 - 2009) 76.5%; Audi A6 (2011 - 2018) 76.7%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE1NTE0NDdlLTJlZjUtNGRhYy05NWM0LWMzMzcyMjdhMTAxYToxNzk1ODU3NS1iM2E2LTQyNGItYjZjMS1mZDdkYzVhZTIyOWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
14. Luxury cars - bottom 3
The E-Class manages to be top and bottom of the table, with the earlier 2002-09 version proving less dependable, ahead of Jaguar's XF and the relatively new Audi A6. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2002 - 2009) 74.9%; Jaguar XF (2007 - 2009) 76.5%; Audi A6 (2011 - 2018) 76.7%Photo: Mercedes-Benz/Jaguar XF/Audi
![The Toyota/Lexus family has this class locked out with a variety of hybrids models upholding its reputation for reliability.
Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011 - 2020) 100.0%; Lexus CT (2011 - present) 98.0%; Lexus IS (2013 - present) 97.6%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJlMTIxOWE5LTI2MTUtNGU2MC1iNzMzLTFjZjgzOWU4ZWZhMjo4NjQ0ZDM0Yy0xMzNmLTQxM2YtYWY1ZC0yMjk2YTM4ZWE4YTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
15. EVs and hybrids - top 3
The Toyota/Lexus family has this class locked out with a variety of hybrids models upholding its reputation for reliability. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011 - 2020) 100.0%; Lexus CT (2011 - present) 98.0%; Lexus IS (2013 - present) 97.6%Photo: Toyota/Lexus
![Even the lowest performing hybrids and EVs proved to be pretty reliable but these three propped up the bottom of a largely dependable segment.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014 - present) 87.3%; Nissan Leaf (2011 - 2017) 88.4%; Lexus RX (2009 - 2016) 96.8%](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE2ZDk5YzQ5LTc5N2QtNGEzZC05MzAwLTAwY2FhOWQ2MDEwYzowY2Q4Mzc0NC0xMGMxLTQzNzItYjk2MC1kMjk3ZWExODIxYjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
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Even the lowest performing hybrids and EVs proved to be pretty reliable but these three propped up the bottom of a largely dependable segment. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014 - present) 87.3%; Nissan Leaf (2011 - 2017) 88.4%; Lexus RX (2009 - 2016) 96.8%Photo: Mitsubishi/Nissan/Lexus