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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,818 off RRP*Used from £15,480
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,219 off RRP*Used from £12,317
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,107 off RRP*Used from £15,692
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,445 off RRP*Used from £15,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long-term test review: SsangYong Tivoli
SsangYong Tivoli long-term final report - header

Long-term test review: SsangYong Tivoli

Final report: Diesel drone is the only thing we won't miss about crossover
Long-term tests
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
Long-term tests
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
Long-term tests
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
Long-term tests
1 Apr 2016
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
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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
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)
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Long-term test: Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019)

Fourth report: Supermini tackles miles with ease, so Continental road trip beckons
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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
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24 Jun 2015
MINI Cooper 5-door (2014-2024): long-term test
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MINI Cooper 5-door (2014-2024): long-term test

Final report: Reluctant farewell to blooming brilliant family hatch
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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
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15 May 2015