New Car Reliability

Fact Checked

Isuzu UTE rated A+ in new car reliability ratings

As hard as it may be to let go of your old, faithful car, sometimes it’s best to say goodbye and treat yourself to a brand new set of wheels. There are plenty of benefits in having a new car, with newer models generally more efficient, environmentally friendly, safer and – usually – more reliable than older models, saving you money and hassle in the long run. After all, nothing ruins your day like your car not starting!

But narrowing down your options to find the new car of your dreams can be tricky, especially if it’s not just for you. You’ll want something that will be comfortable, plus something that easily slots in with your lifestyle and driving habits. Reliability is an important factor when it comes to choosing a new car, although we’re all guilty of getting distracted by the sleek looks and horsepower under the bonnet.

To find out which car brands have got your back, we’ve again surveyed more than 2,300 Australians for their feedback on the new car models they purchased from a dealership in the last three years. Car brands that received the minimum required survey sample size (30 responses) are compared in the latest report.

Most Reliable Cars

If you’re after something that will start first time, every time, which car brand should you go with? All brands and dealerships offer a warranty if your new ride turns out to be a lemon – and consumer law provides protection in the event that you’re sold an absolute dud – but what do the people who know best say! This is what we found from our latest survey of Aussie motorists:

• Isuzu UTE is not just the winner for overall satisfaction in Canstar Blue’s new car ratings, but the brand also came out on top when it came to reliability.
• Most car makers featured in our latest ratings got a four-star review for reliability, such as Mercedes, Kia, Mitsubishi and Toyota.
• BMW, Audi and Ford were the only car brands that received three stars for reliability.

There’s no need to panic if your car didn’t take out top place, as most car brands will keep you safe on the roads. Aussie motorists who own a car from one of the winning brands mentioned in our survey are simply more satisfied with their vehicle’s reliability than those who own the other brands.

Most Reliable Car Brands

Our latest survey of more than 2,300 Aussie motorists who have bought a new car in the last three years saw brands ranked in the following order for reliability:

1. Isuzu UTE
2. Mazda
3. Mercedes
4. Mitsubishi
5. Kia
6. Subaru
7. Hyundai
8. Toyota
9. Suzuki
10. Volkswagen
11. Honda
12. Nissan
13. Ford
14. BMW
15. Audi

Regardless of which brand you drive off with, below are a few tips to help you keep your car running smoothly while you’re out on the roads. Read on for details.

How to keep your car reliable

While all the moving parts under the bonnet may seem a bit too much to the car novice, there are a number of things that you can do to keep your car running smoothly. This may not only keep you safe on the roads but also save you from rolling into the mechanics sooner than you anticipated.

1. Don’t skip regular mechanical checks and other maintenance services

Keeping up to date with your regular services and mechanical checks is perhaps the best way, although it may not be the cheapest, depending on your model and how long you leave it between visits. While it may be inconvenient to be without your car for the day, it’s always best to know if something is wrong to prevent future issues from springing up unexpectedly.

2. Check car fluids

Checking your car fluids is also an easy way to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Fluids such as the windscreen wiper fluid and engine oil can easily be checked and refilled, making it a perfect job for the weekend.

3. Check car tyres

Keeping an eye on your tyres will also ensure that you keep safe on the roads, along with impacting on fuel efficiency, car responsiveness and your overall comfort. Checking for slow leaks, stones, nails and other punctures can also ensure that your road trip doesn’t come to a halt, as does making sure that your tyres are correctly pumped before setting off.

It’s also recommended to know what car tyres you need for your ride, as well as how often you should be changing them. Thankfully, there are plenty of tyre retailers around to help you when the time comes.

4. Get covered

Unfortunately, despite new cars having a lower likelihood of experiencing serious mechanical issues, they can still encounter problems, regardless of how well you take care of them! So, it’s best to ensure you have the best warranty available, as well as accurate and up-to-date car insurance coverage, along with services such as roadside assistance to help take the stress out of those tricky situations.

If reliability proves to be the deciding factor in which car brand and model you hop behind the wheel of, it seems that consumers have deemed Isuzu UTE as well-worth considering. However, it’s always best to research into all of your options, as well as heading on down to your local dealership for a test drive, as having that peace of mind when you drive out of the dealership is sure to make that new car feeling much more enjoyable.

Image credits: Air Images/Shutterstock.com.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Content Projects Lead, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

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