Most reliable small cars to buy 2024
We reveal the most reliable small cars you can buy, according to our latest Driver Power survey
If you’re buying a small car, you could be looking for something that’s nimble and easy to drive but it’s also likely that you have at least half an eye on cost. Whatever your reasons for choosing a small car, any savings that you make on the upfront price, fuel or insurance will quickly disappear if it’s frequently visiting the garage to be fixed. If you really want to own a cost-effective small car, it needs to be a reliable car first and foremost.
In order to find out which small cars are the most reliable, the best people to ask are those who actually own them and use them day to day. The Driver Power customer satisfaction survey is where thousands of motorists tell us all about the car they drive and their experiences with it - good and bad.
The small cars included here are drawn from the city car, supermini, hatchback and small SUV sectors. They’re the compact models that scored the best in Driver Power 2024 for reliability.
Most reliable small cars to buy
Here are the top 10 most reliable small cars that you can buy, according to their owners.
10. Nissan Juke Mk2 - 92.63%
There’s no shortage of Nissan Jukes on the UK’s roads, and it’s clear that the majority of these distinctive small SUVs are providing a stress-free experience for their owners.
If the worst does happen, the Juke is covered by Nissan’s standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty. Owners can also extend this plan for an additional cost.
9. Kia Stonic Mk1 - 92.67%
The Kia Stonic is one of the older offerings in the Korean brand’s line-up, but it’s still putting plenty of its younger competitors to shame when it comes to reliability.
The Stonic only managed pretty average scores throughout the rest of our 2024 Driver Power survey, but nobody can top the appeal of Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.
8. Peugeot 2008 Mk1 - 93.23%
Take any preconceptions you may have had about the build quality of French cars and throw them in the bin, because the Peugeot 2008 is one of the most reliable SUVs that you can currently buy.
The Stellantis-owned brand’s efforts to improve reliability are being reflected elsewhere in its line-up, too, as there’s another Peugeot to be found further down this list.
7. Citroen C3 Aircross Mk1 - 93.67%
It’s not just Peugeot that’s helping to improve the reputation of French-made cars, as the Citroen C3 Aircross is another Stellantis creation that’s holding up well against the ravages of time.
If you’re searching for a small family car, the C3 Aircross also scored highly for its versatility and running costs.
6. BMW 1 Series Mk3 - 93.76%
The BMW 1 Series is a premium hatchback but thankfully it isn’t incurring too many premium bills thanks to its reliability. It may be a smaller car, but the 1 Series still offers a decent amount of practicality for those searching for a family-friendly alternative to an SUV.
Being a BMW, there’s plenty of driving enjoyment to be found here, and owners gave the third-generation 1 Series top marks in areas such as exterior design and the quality of fit-and-finish, both inside and out.
5. Ford EcoSport - 93.98%
This isn’t the first time that the Ford EcoSport has appeared on this list, and owners of this small SUV are continuing to enjoy worry-free motoring, even though its production has now come to an end.
The EcoSport was originally covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, so there are a number of used examples on the market that are still covered.
4. Peugeot 208 Mk2 - 94.55%
The second appearance by Peugeot on this list comes in the form of the 208 supermini, with this little car proving to be solid as well as stylish.
Along with its dependability, Peugeot 208 owners are big fans of its powertrains, comfort, ride quality and child-friendly features.
3. Dacia Duster Mk2 - 94.87%
The phrase “less is more” is one that undoubtedly applies to the Dacia Duster. This small SUV is one of the most no-frills cars on the market, not to mention one of the cheapest, yet it’s also one of the most reliable.
The Duster is such a strong package that it was voted as the best car to own overall in our 2024 Driver Power survey.
2. Kia Picanto Mk3 - 95.36%
While the Kia Picanto is one of the smallest cars on the list, it seems to perform just as well as much larger cars when it comes to quality, as well as overall value.
Offering peace of mind for its owners (and even subsequent owners), the Picanto comes with Kia’s unbeatable seven-year/100,000-mile factory warranty. When combined with the South Korean city car’s reasonable scores for value for money and running costs, the Picanto can offer drivers the quality, confidence and longevity you can with vehicles in the class above.
1. Toyota Yaris Mk4 - 95.68%
Check out all of our most reliable car lists from the 2024 Driver Power survey and you’ll notice they have one thing in common; there’s a Toyota at the top of each one. Here it’s the Toyota Yaris that’s leading the way for small cars, with the hybrid supermini proving to be just as durable as the brand’s much larger models.
Along with its outstanding reliability, the Yaris has also wowed its owners with its safety features, user-friendliness, servicing costs and even the driving experience.
Click below to see the top 75 cars or best cars to own by class…
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