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

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,545
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £12,695
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £2,598 off RRP*Used from £7,649
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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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
Long-term test review: Caterham Seven 310S

Long-term test review: Caterham Seven 310S

Final report: After 12,000 miles and 10 months of thrills, our man doesn’t want to let the Caterham Seven 310S leave our fleet
Long-term tests
11 Oct 2016
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Long-term test: SEAT Ibiza (2008-2017)
SEAT Ibiza long-term - final report header

Long-term test: SEAT Ibiza (2008-2017)

Final report: Is the supermini the perfect first car? We get a teenager's verdict as it leaves the fleet...
Long-term tests
15 Sep 2016
Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R long term - final report header

Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R

Final report: Sizzling 306bhp Honda Civic Type R goes out with a bang as we take it on top speed run
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2016
Long-term test: Skoda Superb Estate (2015-2024)
Skoda Superb long-term test - front cornering

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

Final report: Fond farewell to the Skoda Superb Estate that’s excited us with its practicality
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8 Sep 2016
Long-term test review: Jaguar XE
Jaguar XE long-termer - header

Long-term test review: Jaguar XE

Final report: It's a fair cop! Our man comes quietly and hands back keys to Jag that lives up to the classics
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5 Sep 2016
MINI Clubman long-term test review
MINI Clubman long-term - third report header

MINI Clubman long-term test review

Third report: Our estate is nearly as much fun as the hot JCW hatch
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1 Sep 2016
Long-term test review: Porsche Macan
Long-term test review: Porsche Macan - third report header

Long-term test review: Porsche Macan

Third report: Sporty Porsche Macan SUV proves it’s capable off the road, too
Long-term tests
27 Jun 2016
Long-term test review: SsangYong Tivoli
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Long-term test review: SsangYong Tivoli

Final report: Diesel drone is the only thing we won't miss about crossover
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16 Jun 2016
Long-term test review: Toyota Verso
Long-term test review Toyota Verso - final report header

Long-term test review: Toyota Verso

Final report: it's not the most exciting car, but we'll miss our capable Toyota Verso MPV
Long-term tests
19 May 2016
Long-term test: Lexus NX 300h
Lexus NX long-termer - final report header

Long-term test: Lexus NX 300h

Final report: Lexus NX SUV impressed with its space-age looks, but fell a little short elsewhere
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16 May 2016
Long-term test: Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki Vitara (long term) - final report header

Long-term test: Suzuki Vitara

Final report: Practical and efficient Suzuki Vitara SUV has proven a smash hit for all the family
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21 Apr 2016
Fiat 500X Pop Star: Long-term test review
Fiat 500X long termer - final report header

Fiat 500X Pop Star: Long-term test review

Final report: With trio of modes, Fiat 500X crossover has been a fine all-rounder
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1 Apr 2016