The world has become more reliant on cars in the pandemic as a safer form of travel. With increasing use they are more likely to run into issues and break down. So which car brands are the most unreliable?

A study by Click4Reg, utilising keyword searches on the internet for the top 20 global car brands, is an attempt to discover which cars are the most likely to break down across the world. While most of us will utilise the services of a garage, it has become common practice to use search engines in order to self diagnose, gain quotes and look for mechanics.

The results are a bit of a revelation; perhaps you don’t quite get what you pay for after all.

World weary

Mercedes-Benzes may have got the wheels rolling back in 1886, charging for that heritage and quality, but they break down the most. Over 1.5 million (1,520,640) people google breakdown help every year, indicating the Mercedes’ high status isn’t mirrored in its reliability.

In second place is Ford. The manufacturer that brought personal powered mobility to the masses may deliver lower prices on the forecourt, but not in annual servicing bills. A quasi-reliable brand, 1,280,400 people a year suffer with breakdowns or faulty parts and need more info online.

Despite being known for its technology and well-crafted interiors, it appears this doesn’t stretch to the build itself. Audi places in third – owners make 1,218,360 searches a year for help with breakdown-related issues.

Even the famed Japanese reliability comes into question. Honda follows in fourth place with 1,152,360 global yearly searches, followed by fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota in fifth (1,092,840) and Volvo in sixth (1,086,360).

Completing the top ten list of unreliable car brands include:

  1. Volkswagen – 1,005,721 yearly searches
  2. Nissan – 640,200 yearly searches
  3. BMW – 605,880 yearly searches
  4. General Motors – 492,600 yearly searches

Reliable realities

Turning the table on its head, and the most reliable cars are Renaults. With just 303,600 yearly global breakdown-related searches, Renault drivers can be confident that their cars will keep going much longer before a trip to the mechanic.

Land Rovers actually appear to live up to their rugged trusty vehicle status. This bodes well considering their focus on off-road and four-wheel driving. In 19th place, just 318,480 people around the world need help with faulty parts or breakdowns every year.

Also amongst the more reliable car brands are Fiat (345,840), Chevrolet (350,880), Kia (400,800) and Citroën (401,280). It’s somewhat surprising that the much maligned French automobile industry comes out so well after years of negative punditry.

Breakdown Brits

The Click4Reg research also looks at the UK specifically, with interesting results. The UK’s most unreliable car award goes to BMW! Yes, 61,600 Beemer Brits google help for faulty or broken down BMWs every year. Anther premium brand sits under a dark cloud.

Ford, despite having the best selling car year on year with the Fiesta, is less reliable. when it comes to mechanical manoeuvrings. Unreliability is evident in Britain too, claiming second place with 51,850 yearly searches.

In third and fourth place, the premium brands aren’t wanting BMW to grab all the headlines. Audi (48,340) and Mercedes (47,300) fill the position respectively.

Among the cars with fewer issues in Britain include Mini (20,790), Chevrolet (22,990) and Tesla (23,600).

Research carried out by Click4Reg