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

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,049 off RRP*Used from £16,100
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,795
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £12,695
* 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: Lexus IS 300h

Long-term test review: Lexus IS 300h

Fifth report: Premium Lexus IS 300h is best enjoyed while relaxing in the back
Long-term tests
4 Feb 2015
Long-term test review: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

Long-term test review: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

Final report: Family-friendly Suzuki SX4 S-Cross has proven fun to drive and well built
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Long-term test: Nissan Qashqai (2014-2021)
Nissan Qashqai long termer factory

Long-term test: Nissan Qashqai (2014-2021)

Our Nissan Qashqai crossover makes trip to its birthplace as we bid it farewell
Long-term tests
6 Jan 2015
Long-term test review: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Long-term test review: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Final report: we say goodbye to efficient, but noisy, plug-in hybrid
Long-term tests
4 Dec 2014
Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI Elegance: long-term test review
Skoda Octavia Estate LT test - SEAT Leon ST

Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI Elegance: long-term test review

Final report: Our man finds it hard to pick between the Skoda Octavia Estate and SEAT Leon ST
Long-term tests
5 Nov 2014
Long-term test review: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Long-term test review: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Final report: We say au revoir to stylish MPV after 8,000 miles, two countries and countless passengers
Long-term tests
28 Oct 2014
Long-term test review: Honda Civic Tourer
Honda Civic Tourer long-term test

Long-term test review: Honda Civic Tourer

Another long-distance trip as we bid farewell to Honda Civic Tourer family estate
Long-term tests
8 Oct 2014
Dacia Duster (2013-2018) Laureate 4x4: long-term test
Dacia Duster long-term test

Dacia Duster (2013-2018) Laureate 4x4: long-term test

Infotainment upgrade boosts appeal of our Dacia Duster
Long-term tests
7 Oct 2014
Range Rover TDV6 Autobiography long term test review

Range Rover TDV6 Autobiography long term test review

Final report: Fond farewell to luxury off-roader that’s pride of Britain
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Audi A3 Saloon S line 1.4 TFSI: long-term test review

Audi A3 Saloon S line 1.4 TFSI: long-term test review

We compare the classy petrol A3 four-door with its diesel counterpart
Long-term tests
10 Sep 2014
Long-term test review: SEAT Leon SC FR
SEAT Leon SC long-term track day

Long-term test review: SEAT Leon SC FR

Our sporty three-door more than held its own at thrilling track day
Long-term tests
26 Aug 2014
Long-term test review: Mercedes CLA 45 AMG
Mercedes CLA 45 AMG

Long-term test review: Mercedes CLA 45 AMG

Premium Mercedes CLA 45 AMG coupe is a crowd-pleaser at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Long-term tests
7 Aug 2014
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Long-term test review: Subaru BRZ

Long-term test review: Subaru BRZ

Final report: We say farewell to Subaru BRZ with a head-to-head with WRX STi big brother
Long-term tests
17 Jul 2014
Long-term test review: Ford Fiesta ST

Long-term test review: Ford Fiesta ST

Our photographer finds driving our hot hatch hero, the Ford Fiesta ST, more fun than taking pictures
Long-term tests
24 Jun 2014
Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake: First report
Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake: First report

Your name’s not down... Our man doesn’t feel posh enough to be driving the classy new Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2013
Ford Focus Estate: Third report
Ford Focus Estate

Ford Focus Estate: Third report

A specialist spring clean takes the winter dirt off our long-term Focus Estate
Long-term tests
2 Apr 2013
Renault Twizy: Final report
Renault Twizy header

Renault Twizy: Final report

Design professionals cast an eye over our quirky Renault Twizy EV, as we look back on our time with it
Long-term tests
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SEAT Alhambra: Final report
SEAT Alhambra header

SEAT Alhambra: Final report

Our editor wants to add a dash of style to the SEAT Alhambra
Long-term tests
25 Mar 2013
Volvo V40: Fourth report
Volvo V40 header

Volvo V40: Fourth report

A new arrival means lots of baby kit to push our Volvo V40 hatch’s practicality to the limit
Long-term tests
20 Mar 2013
VW Jetta: Fifth report
VW Jetta header

VW Jetta: Fifth report

The VW Jetta deserves more recognition, says our man after nine months and 8,000 miles
Long-term tests
18 Mar 2013
Honda CR-V: Second report
Honda CR-V header

Honda CR-V: Second report

Our man gets to know the Honda CR-V well as he criss-crosses the UK
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2013
Range Rover Evoque: Final report
Range Rover Evoque front static

Range Rover Evoque: Final report

Our car meets up with an Evoque that’s had some cosmetic surgery
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2013
Mercedes B-Class: Final report
Mercedes B-Class front static

Mercedes B-Class: Final report

As our time with the Mercedes B-Class comes to an end, our man asks if its hi-tech gadgets are worth the extra
Long-term tests
4 Mar 2013