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

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

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

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,900
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £2,598 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,768
* 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 review: Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V long-termer - Otis header

Long-term test review: Honda CR-V

Final report: SUV's solidity impresses, but this means it's a heavyweight in everyday use
Long-term tests
24 Mar 2016
Long-term test: Skoda Octavia Scout
Skoda Octavia Scout long-termer - Otis final report header

Long-term test: Skoda Octavia Scout

Final report: We've loved driving 4WD estate, but it's time to say goodbye
Long-term tests
17 Feb 2016
Long-term test: Audi RS3 (2015-2020)
Audi RS3 - long-term - final report header

Long-term test: Audi RS3 (2015-2020)

Final report: We say ‘adios’ to our Audi RS3 with 2,000-mile road trip
Long-term tests
3 Feb 2016
Long-term test review: Ford Mondeo

Long-term test review: Ford Mondeo

Final report: 'Global' family car feels like it's best suited to US roads
Long-term tests
28 Jan 2016
Long-term test: Range Rover Sport
Long-term test: Range Rover Sport

Long-term test: Range Rover Sport

Final report: Big SUV has made quite a splash in its year on our fleet
Long-term tests
13 Jan 2016
Long-term test review: Renault Twingo

Long-term test review: Renault Twingo

Third report: Trendy city car needs some TLC to get back to its best
Long-term tests
5 Jan 2016
Long-term test review: SEAT Leon X-Perience

Long-term test review: SEAT Leon X-Perience

Second report: Crossover estate is so full of advice you'd think our man was learning to drive
Long-term tests
10 Dec 2015
Long-term test review: Citroen C4 Cactus
Citroen C4 Cactus egg test

Long-term test review: Citroen C4 Cactus

Fourth report: Quirky hatch takes on forebear’s famous ‘egg test’
Long-term tests
18 Nov 2015
Long-term test review: VW Golf GTE

Long-term test review: VW Golf GTE

Hybrid hatchback more than exceeds our man's expectations
Long-term tests
9 Sep 2015
Mazda 2 1.5 Sport Nav long-term test review

Mazda 2 1.5 Sport Nav long-term test review

Third report: Supermini is a hit on trip to rain-soaked music festival
Long-term tests
7 Sep 2015
Long-term test review: Kia Soul EV

Long-term test review: Kia Soul EV

Final report: Electric car spends a week on long-distance commute before leaving fleet
Long-term tests
4 Sep 2015
Long-term test review: Peugeot 308 SW BlueHDi Feline

Long-term test review: Peugeot 308 SW BlueHDi Feline

Fourth report: Stylish estate loads up for the school holidays
Long-term tests
27 Aug 2015
Skip advert
Advertisement
Ford Transit Custom Double-Cab: long-term test review

Ford Transit Custom Double-Cab: long-term test review

Final report: Big van is up there with our award winners, and is set to be sorely missed
Long-term tests
29 Jul 2015
Long-term test review: Audi TT
Audi TT long-termer - header

Long-term test review: Audi TT

Final report: It’s time to say farewell to our award-winning coupe
Long-term tests
22 Jul 2015
Long-term test: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019)
Vauxhall Corsa LT header

Long-term test: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019)

Fourth report: Supermini tackles miles with ease, so Continental road trip beckons
Long-term tests
17 Jul 2015
Long-term test review: SEAT Leon Cupra
SEAT Leon SC Cupra and ST Cupra

Long-term test review: SEAT Leon Cupra

Final report: Racy three-door makes way for more practical stablemate - but we’ll miss it
Long-term tests
24 Jun 2015
MINI Cooper 5-door (2014-2024): long-term test
MINI Cooper 5-door (2014-2024) - goodbye header image

MINI Cooper 5-door (2014-2024): long-term test

Final report: Reluctant farewell to blooming brilliant family hatch
Long-term tests
27 May 2015
Long-term test review: Volkswagen Caravelle

Long-term test review: Volkswagen Caravelle

Huge, car-like seven-seater MPV makes family holidays a breeze
Long-term tests
15 May 2015
Hyundai i10 (2014-2019) SE: long-term test
Hyundai i10 (2014-2019) SE: long-term test main image

Hyundai i10 (2014-2019) SE: long-term test

Final report: Airport runs, urban drives; our city car’s done it all
Long-term tests
28 Apr 2015
Long-term test review: Alpina D3 Biturbo

Long-term test review: Alpina D3 Biturbo

First report: Twin-turbodiesel supersaloon mixes huge pace with 45mpg returns
Long-term tests
23 Apr 2015
Long-term test: Skoda Superb Estate (2008-2015)
Skoda Superb Estate - long-termer

Long-term test: Skoda Superb Estate (2008-2015)

Final report: Launch of new model means some top deals on our car
Long-term tests
26 Mar 2015
Long-term test review: Mazda 3

Long-term test review: Mazda 3

Final report: After nearly 32,000 miles, our man’s at one with his trusty steed
Long-term tests
16 Feb 2015
Long-term test review: Jaguar F-Type

Long-term test review: Jaguar F-Type

Fifth report: It’s a family reunion to cherish as our F-Type meets some of its illustrious predecessors
Long-term tests
5 Feb 2015