Warrantywise tells us…
(All words and images from Warrantywise).
- The annual Warrantywise Reliability Index returns, analysing 1.6 million+ data points for UK-based used vehicles (aged three to 15 years)
- The Toyota Yaris (illustrated above) returns to the top of the table with an overall score of 89.2/100, improving on its 89.0/100 first-place result
- Toyota dominates the table, placing four models across three entirely different vehicle classes: the Yaris, Aygo, RAV4 and Hilux, representing city cars, family hatchbacks, SUVs and pick-up trucks
- The Top Ten also features the Kia Picanto, Peugeot 108, Citroën C1, Suzuki Vitara, Kia Ceed and the Suzuki Swift
- With repair costs continuing to rise, the data highlights the importance of budgeting for repair costs with an extended warranty
- See the full list and data insights at: Warrantywise Reliability Index 2026
Blackburn, 26 March 2026
According to the latest figures released in Warrantywise’s annual Reliability Index, the Toyota Yaris is at the top of the list of most reliable used vehicles, based on data from over 1.6 million data points recorded between 2023 and 2026.
RELIABLE BY NAME, RELIABLE BY NATURE: TOYOTA LEADS WARRANTYWISE’S 2026 USED CAR RELIABILITY INDEX
Warrantywise, a leading UK provider of extended used car warranties with over 25 years of experience, has announced that Toyota once again leads the rankings of its annual Reliability Index, with the Yaris returning to the top of the table. With an overall score of 89.2/100, the Toyota Yaris secured its position through consistent, measurable performance, demonstrating the kind of long-term reliability that used car buyers depend on.
Warrantywise’s latest Reliability Index uses its proprietary repair data to allocate an Overall Reliability score (ranked out of 100) to every make and model, giving consumers insight into the reliability of cars available in the UK. It is designed to highlight relative reliability risk rather than label vehicles as definitively ‘most’ or ‘least’ reliable, recognising that no vehicle is immune to faults and that issues can arise at any point in a car’s lifetime. Repairs are only one element of car ownership.
The extensive database spans a three-year period, and each model must have a minimum of 250 vehicles on plan to qualify for inclusion in the dataset. The Top Ten highlights the ten most reliable used vehicles to help buyers when choosing their next used car.
With an average repair request of £888.90, the Toyota Yaris – a popular small family car – continues to demonstrate the durability and consistency that have made it one of the UK’s most trusted used cars. Known for its fuel economy, nimble handling and straightforward dependability, it delivers strong performance on every practical measure.
Toyota’s wider performance in this year’s Index is, once again, notable. With four models in the Top Ten, the Japanese manufacturer is the only brand to place more than two cars in the table, reinforcing its longstanding reputation for dependable engineering. The Toyota Aygo places third with a score of 83.8/100, while the larger Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Hilux secure fourth and sixth place with scores of 79.9/100 and 78.4/100, respectively. This breadth of performance highlights how a single manufacturer can perform consistently well across very different vehicle types.
However, the data also shows that even the top scorers are not immune to costly faults. Across the Toyota models in the Top Ten, both electrical systems and clutch-related issues feature as the most registered repair areas, with repair costs varying significantly, ranging from £1,587.60 as the most expensive repair request for the Toyota Aygo to £6,503.57 for the Hilux.
Alongside Toyota’s strong showing, the rankings also highlight the continued reliability of compact city cars. In second place, the Kia Picanto makes a strong case for itself as one of the most cost-effective cars in the Top Ten. With an average repair request of just £403.49 – the lowest of any model in the table – the Picanto proves that urban superminis can be serious long-term propositions. Scoring 86.8/100, it sits comfortably between the dominant Yaris and the rest of the field, combining low running costs with genuine, data-backed reliability.
The Peugeot 108 takes fifth place with its score of 78.9/100, while the Citroën C1 and Suzuki Vitara share seventh place with scores of 78.0/100. These results reinforce the strong reliability performance often seen among smaller vehicles despite their accessible price point.
The results reflect a broader trend within the used car market, where smaller, simpler vehicles often deliver dependable long-term ownership. With lower complexity and widely available car parts, many of these models can continue to perform reliably well into later stages of their lifecycle. The full Top Ten further includes the Kia Ceed and the Suzuki Swift, which secure the final positions in the table with scores of 77.5/100.
Antony Diggins, Managing Director of Warrantywise, said: “When looking at the total cost of ownership for a used vehicle, it’s very important to consider reliability within this. Our Reliability Index helps give consumers a clearer picture of how different used vehicles perform over time, using real-world insights drawn from the used cars we support every day. Toyota continuing to lead the rankings shows how consistent some brands can be over time. Models like the Toyota Yaris build a strong reputation for reliability year after year, which is why they remain such popular choices in the used car market.
“What’s even more striking about this year’s Index is the breadth of the Top Ten. From city runarounds to family SUVs and genuine working trucks, these are all very different vehicles united by the same quality: they hold up. At a time when repair costs continue to rise, and household budgets are under real pressure, knowing which cars are most likely to keep running without significant expense is more valuable than ever.”
| Position | Models | Average
Repair Request |
Most Expensive
Repair Request |
Overall Score /100 |
| 1 | Toyota Yaris | £888.90 | £2,334.55 | 89.2 |
| 2 | Kia Picanto | £403.49 | £1,316.16 | 86.8 |
| 3 | Toyota Aygo | £480.64 | £1,587.60 | 83.8 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | £1,731.04 | £4,750.34 | 79.9 |
| 5 | Peugeot 108 | £702.29 | £3,546.00 | 78.9 |
| 6 | Toyota Hilux | £1,436.72 | £6,503.57 | 78.4 |
| 7 | Citroën C1 | £659.87 | £4,536.00 | 78.0 |
| = | Suzuki Vitara | £689.70 | £2,753.84 | 78.0 |
| 9 | Kia Ceed | £709.10 | £5,069.30 | 77.5 |
| = | Suzuki Swift | £723.39 | £3,993.47 | 77.5 |
According to the data, the average repair request across the Top Ten models ranges from £403.49 for the Kia Picanto up to £1,731.04 for the Toyota RAV4, highlighting how repair costs can vary significantly depending on vehicle type and complexity. As the cost of parts and labour continues to rise across the automotive industry, understanding real-world repair data is increasingly important for drivers navigating the used car market.
Warrantywise’s Reliability Index uses repair data from hundreds of thousands of used cars with a warranty to allocate an Overall Reliability score to every make and model, giving consumers insight into the reliability of cars available in the UK. This approach provides a real-world view of how vehicles perform over time, with Warrantywise committed to providing drivers and buyers with data they can trust when choosing a used car.
For the full list and data insights, follow the website link on Warrantywise Reliability Index 2026.
Data note: The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or professional advice.
Disclaimers:
* Reliability Index scores are based on historical repair request data, including repair frequency, average vehicle age, mileage and labour time between January 2023 and January 2026. The data includes vehicles aged three to 15 years old, with a minimum of 250 vehicles on plan per model.
** Average repair request values reflect the data period analysed. Ongoing increases in labour and parts costs may affect future repair costs. 1.6 million data points were also used to form this data.
*** All data used is from Warrantywise’s proprietary internal research.
**** Warrantywise believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.
About Warrantywise:
Warrantywise is a UK provider of extended used car warranties with over 25 years of experience. Established in 2000, the company has sold over one million warranty plans and serves both private vehicle owners and independent dealer groups nationwide, supporting most vehicle types aged up to 15 years old.
Standard warranty benefits include parts and labour costs, car hire provision, onward travel assistance, and roadside assistance. Plan details vary by vehicle type and specifications. Warrantywise retail plans are discretionary and not subject to FCA regulations.
Payment for any repair is at the discretion of Warrantywise. Extended warranty plans are intended to support used car ownership beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, with all repairs reviewed on a case-by-case basis.