Long-term tests

Long-term tests

Every Auto Express long-term test, ever...

The Auto Express long-term test is a rigorous examination of a car’s design, engineering and practicality in real world conditions - often accompanied by some slightly silly photos of our experts with their cars. 

Our team lives with each car for a period of around six months, subjecting each to the trials and tribulations of our own daily routines. School runs, shopping trips, commutes, days out, family holidays, visits to the rubbish dump; we live with these cars so you can understand what it would be like to. 

And, of course, we’re car journalists so we regularly go above and beyond the typical use patterns for our long-term test cars. Track and off-road driving, in suitable models, gives a further insight into their qualities. So do the big mileages we cover on roads of all types right around the UK and across Europe, not to mention the photographic and video shoots.  

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, the Auto Express long-term test reports provide an invaluable insight into what your own life might be like as the owner. In combination with our in-depth reviews and group tests, these pages form the most comprehensive evaluation of new cars you’ll find anywhere. 

Over thousands of miles of testing, our experts really get under the skin of all the most popular models on the market and if you have specific questions about the cars we’re running now or have run in the past, we’re here to help… 

What’s on fleet?

Cars we’re reporting on now plus recent long-term test fleet arrivals and departures 

Scroll down for all our long-term test reports...

New & used car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,321 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,065 off RRP*Used from £14,895
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,707
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £12,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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More on Long-term tests

Long-term test review: Mazda MX-5 RF
Mazda MX-5 RF - front

Long-term test review: Mazda MX-5 RF

Final report: two-seater leaves fleet in style with a day of on-the-limit driver training
Long-term tests
17 Jan 2018
Long-term test: Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech Flair
Citroen C3 - tech

Long-term test: Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech Flair

Final report: we’re sad to say goodbye to our comfortable and equipment-laden supermini
Long-term tests
11 Jan 2018
Long-term test: BMW 5 Series (2017-2023)
BMW 5 Series - front

Long-term test: BMW 5 Series (2017-2023)

Final report: after thousands of miles in the BMW 5 Series, we can only conclude that it’s still top of the executive saloon class
Long-term tests
3 Jan 2018
Long-term test: Kia Niro (2016-2022)
Kia Niro - side

Long-term test: Kia Niro (2016-2022)

Final report: clever Kia Niro hybrid offers an interesting glimpse into the future of motoring
Long-term tests
1 Dec 2017
Long-term test: Renault Megane (2016-2022)
Renault Megane long term test - front

Long-term test: Renault Megane (2016-2022)

Final report: fond farewell to pretty Renault Megane hatch after six months on fleet
Long-term tests
10 Nov 2017
Long-term test review: McLaren 570GT
McLaren 570GT long term test final report - header

Long-term test review: McLaren 570GT

Final report: stunning McLaren 570GT supercar leaves us with mixed emotions
Long-term tests
2 Nov 2017
Long-term test: Toyota Prius (2015-2022)
Toyota Prius long-term test - final report header

Long-term test: Toyota Prius (2015-2022)

Final report: we say farewell to the car that gave us a relaxing start to every day
Long-term tests
30 Oct 2017
Long-term test review: Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback - long term test final report header

Long-term test review: Subaru Outback

Final report: our man gets under the skin to deliver verdict on the Subaru Outback estate
Long-term tests
27 Oct 2017
Long-term test review: Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

Long-term test review: Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

Final report: our VW Transporter Kombi has left the fleet, here's the final verdict on its long term test
Long-term tests
22 Sep 2017
Long-term test review: Jaguar XF
Jaguar XF Long-Term Test - header

Long-term test review: Jaguar XF

Final report: we thrash out the highs and lows of our relationship with the Jaguar XF
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2017
Long-term test: Skoda Superb Sportline (2015-2024)
Skoda Superb - main image

Long-term test: Skoda Superb Sportline (2015-2024)

Final report: Skoda Superb Sportline's neat eco tech mixes pace and sleepy efficiency
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2017
Long-term test review: Volvo V40
Volvo V40 - side

Long-term test review: Volvo V40

Final report: low-tech infotainment has failed to dim the appeal of the Volvo V40 hatch
Long-term tests
31 Jul 2017
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Long-term test review: Audi SQ7
Audi SQ7 long-term final report - header

Long-term test review: Audi SQ7

Final report: Home and away, it’s been a blast with the 429bhp Audi SQ7 SUV
Long-term tests
26 Jul 2017
Long-term test review: SEAT Ateca
SEAT Ateca long term final report - header

Long-term test review: SEAT Ateca

Final report: Striking family-friendly SUV is still worthy of our award
Long-term tests
13 Jun 2017
Long-term test: Peugeot 2008 (2013-2019)
Peugeot 2008 long term - final report header

Long-term test: Peugeot 2008 (2013-2019)

Final report: Peugeot 2008 crossover has been a great all-rounder, but now it’s time to say goodbye
Long-term tests
24 May 2017
Long-term test review: Mercedes GLC SUV
Mercedes GLC long-term fourth report - side

Long-term test review: Mercedes GLC SUV

Final report: It’s time to say farewell to our Mercedes GLC, a car that shows Merc is back doing what it does best
Long-term tests
12 May 2017
Long term test review: Honda Jazz
Honda Jazz long-term third report - header

Long term test review: Honda Jazz

Final report: it wasn’t exciting, but our time with the Honda Jazz supermini had its highlights
Long-term tests
8 May 2017
Long-term test review: Fiat Panda Cross
Fiat Panda Cross - LT header

Long-term test review: Fiat Panda Cross

Final report: We loved the capable performance, but the infotainment system was irksome
Long-term tests
3 May 2017
Long-term test review: Citroen C4 Picasso
Citroen C4 Picasso long termer third report - header

Long-term test review: Citroen C4 Picasso

Final report: Citroen C4 Picasso MPV evokes memories of much loved seven-seater
Long-term tests
2 May 2017
Tesla Model S CPO used long-term test review
Tesla Model S long-term final report - header

Tesla Model S CPO used long-term test review

Final report: our last run of the tech-packed, space-age Tesla Model S
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2017
Long-term test review: Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5 long-term final report - header

Long-term test review: Mazda MX-5

Final report: Mazda's MX-5 roadster has proven why it’s a winner after a year on fleet
Long-term tests
10 Apr 2017
Long term test review: BMW M240i Convertible
BMW M240i long term first report - header

Long term test review: BMW M240i Convertible

Sun hasn’t shone on the BMW 240i Convertible since it joined our fleet, but it’s shaping up to be a summer sizzler
Long-term tests
26 Mar 2017
Long-term test: Volkswagen Passat Estate (2015-2024)
Volkswagen Passat Estate main image long-term test

Long-term test: Volkswagen Passat Estate (2015-2024)

Final report: as the VW Passat Estate leaves our fleet, we reflect on how much else it had to offer beyond style and practicality
Long-term tests
17 Feb 2017