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

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,075 off RRP*Used from £10,295
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £4,332 off RRP*Used from £11,400
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £10,300 off RRP*Used from £11,751
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £6,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Long-term tests

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
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
Skip advert
Advertisement
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
Long-term test review: Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover Discovery Sport long-term - final report

Long-term test review: Land Rover Discovery Sport

Final report: our Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV displays its off-road talent before it leaves fleet
Long-term tests
8 Feb 2017
Long-term test review: Suzuki Baleno
Suzuki Baleno long-termer - fourth report header

Long-term test review: Suzuki Baleno

Fourth report: savings add up for our spacious supermini
Long-term tests
31 Jan 2017
Long-term test: Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90 long-term test - final report header

Long-term test: Volvo XC90

Final report: if you or your employer has the cash, the Volvo XC90 SUV is truly brilliant
Long-term tests
24 Jan 2017
Long-term test review: Ford S-MAX
Ford S-MAX long-term - final report header

Long-term test review: Ford S-MAX

Final report: how has our practical seven-seat Ford S-MAX performed in the past year?
Long-term tests
13 Jan 2017
Long-term test review: Peugeot 308 GTi
Long-term test review Peugeot 308 GTi - final report header

Long-term test review: Peugeot 308 GTi

Final report: it's time to assess the 308 GTi's stay on our fleet
Long-term tests
11 Jan 2017
Long-term test review: Audi A4 saloon
Audi A4 long-term test - final report header

Long-term test review: Audi A4 saloon

Final report: we bid fond farewell to the A4, Audi’s best-ever family saloon
Long-term tests
2 Dec 2016
Long-term test review: BMW i3 Range Extender
Long-term test review: BMW i3 REx John front cornering

Long-term test review: BMW i3 Range Extender

We find out what it's really like to live with an electric car with our new, web exclusive, i3 long-termer
Long-term tests
23 Nov 2016
Long-term test review: Nissan NP300 Navara
Nissan Navara long-term - third report header

Long-term test review: Nissan NP300 Navara

Third report: we do the sums to see why pick-ups like our Nissan Navara are such a hit
Long-term tests
8 Nov 2016
Long-term test review: Renault Kadjar
Renault Kadjar - long term final report header

Long-term test review: Renault Kadjar

Final report: practical Renault Kadjar crossover has starred in 10 months’ use
Long-term tests
4 Nov 2016
Long-term test review: Kia Sorento

Long-term test review: Kia Sorento

Final report: Our Kia Sorento SUV pays a visit to the biggest Kia dealership in Europe
Long-term tests
27 Oct 2016