I’m a motors expert – check out my top 10 least reliable family cars

A MOTORS expert has revealed the top ten least reliable family cars.

Families looking for a car want something spacious, functional, and above all, reliable.

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Handily, WhatCar? has revealed the ten least reliable cars for families.

Only cars up to five years old were included in the analysis, representing a number of models that are either currently available in showrooms or that are desirable nearly-new used vehicles.

Reliability ratings have been assigned based on the quantity and seriousness of problems owners reported in the previous 24 months, the cost of fixing them, and how long they were off the road.

Below is a detailed list of the top five models with the lowest ratings.

Audi A3

Reliability rating: 74.2%

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Owners reported that a whopping 57% of latest-generation A3s had suffered a glitch in the past two years.

Sat-nav/infotainment issues affected 33% of cars, and other electrical faults were reported on a further 29%.

There were also problems with the battery, gearbox/clutch, interior trim and bodywork. 

Although all the issues were sorted out at no cost to owners, many of the faults were serious and time-consuming to put right.

More than a third (38%) of the faulty cars were rendered undrivable, and 76% of them spent more than a week in the garage.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class HYBRID

Reliability rating: 78.4%

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The hybrid A-Class is the worst performer when it comes to reliability. A hefty 46% of hybrid models hit trouble, with the engine, engine and non-engine electrics and air-con being the main areas of concern.

Although 79% of repairs were carried out for free, 14% of owners faced bills of more than £1500. 

And the only redeeming factor is that three-quarters of cars were put right in less than a week. 

Skoda Octavia (2020-present)

Reliability rating: 78.7% 

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A staggering 54% of current-generation Octavia owners told us their car had suffered a problem over the previous 24 months.

Sat-nav/infotainment system glitches blighted 31% of cars, and other electrical issues affected another 27% of vehicles. 

Most cars could still be driven, but a third took more than a week to put right.

The only saving grace is that Skoda footed the bill for all remedial work, leaving no owners with nasty repair bills. 

Skoda Yeti (2009-2017)

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The Yeti is a practical car, but it’s not proving as sturdy as it should be.

Thirty-three per cent of the cars in our survey had suffered a fault, with gearbox/clutch issues as the most common complaint.

Three-quarters of cars were in the garage for more than a week, and Skoda paid for only 25% of repairs, leaving many owners out of pocket: 50% of them paid out up to £500 and 13% up to £1000. 

Volkswagen Golf (2020-present)

Reliability rating: 79.9%

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The current Golf performs even worse than its predecessor for dependability, with 39% of owners reporting at least one fault with their cars.

Non-engine electrical issues and problems with the sat-nav/infotainment system each accounted for 24% of all faults.

There were also issues with the air-con, battery, bodywork, engine, fuel system and suspension. 

While most cars could still be driven, 40% took more than a week to put right.

Although Volkswagen covered the cost of 86% of repairs, a small percentage of owners paid out between £751 and £1500.