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 Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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

Hyundai Tucson

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,998 off RRP*Used from £13,199
* 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

Mazda 5: Fifth report
Mazda 5 header

Mazda 5: Fifth report

Spring has sprung, and our Mazda 5 is set to blossom after a tough winter
Long-term tests
19 Mar 2012
VW Polo: Fourth report
VW Polo header

VW Polo: Fourth report

Yellow paint makes our VW stand out – but you’ll need to do some DIY if you want to copy the look
Long-term tests
14 Mar 2012
Lexus CT 200h: First report
Lexus CT 200h front

Lexus CT 200h: First report

Latest arrival in our car park mixes good looks with promise of strong efficiency
Long-term tests
12 Mar 2012
Skoda Yeti: First report
Skoda Yeti header

Skoda Yeti: First report

Eco-friendly GreenLine II version of our former Car of the Year joins our fleet
Long-term tests
7 Mar 2012
Jaguar XF: First report
Jaguar XF in the US

Jaguar XF: First report

After an epic US road trip, our new Jaguar XF is proving its worth on British roads, too
Long-term tests
5 Mar 2012
Renault Megane ST: Final report
Renault Megane ST front three-quarters

Renault Megane ST: Final report

We say goodbye to our capable compact diesel estate
Long-term tests
29 Feb 2012
Kia Sportage: Final report
Kia Sportage and James Burnay

Kia Sportage: Final report

After 12 months, it’s time to say a fond farewell to our classy SUV
Long-term tests
27 Feb 2012
Vauxhall Corsa: Fourth report
Vauxhall Corsa header

Vauxhall Corsa: Fourth report

Is eco supermini our man’s best friend?
Long-term tests
22 Feb 2012
VW Polo: Third report
VW Polo and Dan Strong

VW Polo: Third report

Can our turbocharged supermini really cut the mustard as a family runaround?
Long-term tests
22 Feb 2012
Suzuki Swift: Third report
Suzuki Swift front cornering

Suzuki Swift: Third report

Small car is making big impression as a family runaround
Long-term tests
20 Feb 2012
Audi Q3: Second report
Audi Q3 header

Audi Q3: Second report

We’ve had to get a screen chip fixed, but this hasn’t spoiled our enjoyment of crossover
Long-term tests
15 Feb 2012
SEAT Ibiza ST: Fifth report
SEAT Ibiza ST header

SEAT Ibiza ST: Fifth report

Stylish and spacious supermini estate is an ideal companion for expensive shopping trips
Long-term tests
13 Feb 2012
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Skoda Superb Estate: Final report
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Skoda Superb Estate: Final report

It takes a lot of washing, but the Superb Estate has shone in every area during its time with us
Long-term tests
8 Feb 2012
Ford Focus: Fourth report
Ford Focus and Grand C-MAX

Ford Focus: Fourth report

Family man traded up from hatch to seven-seater for festive break. Has he been persuaded to make the switch permanent?
Long-term tests
6 Feb 2012
Nissan Leaf: Second report
Nissan Leaf start line

Nissan Leaf: Second report

We put our electric car to test on the Brighton to London run
Long-term tests
1 Feb 2012
Renault Megane ST: Fifth report
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Renault Megane ST: Fifth report

Not even a Christmas Day breakdown could blot our practical estate’s copybook
Long-term tests
18 Jan 2012
Audi Q3: First report
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Audi Q3: First report

Compact SUV is set for a gruelling stint on our fleet in the hands our staff photographer
Long-term tests
16 Jan 2012
Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth report
Skoda Superb Estate header

Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth report

Our trusty estate has one last trick up its sleeve – it’s started talking!
Long-term tests
11 Jan 2012
Mazda 5: Fourth report
Mazda 5 header

Mazda 5: Fourth report

Winter is here – and our MPV is prepared for anything
Long-term tests
4 Jan 2012
Infiniti G37 Convertible: First report
Red Bull Racing victory parade with Mark Webber and Christian Horner

Infiniti G37 Convertible: First report

Our new drop-top makes a grand entrance at the Red Bull victory parade in Milton Keynes
Long-term tests
3 Jan 2012
Peugeot 508 SW: Second report
Peugeot 508 SW header

Peugeot 508 SW: Second report

Ho ho ho! Our practical estate has been borrowed by Santa for his festive deliveries
Long-term tests
21 Dec 2011
Hyundai ix35: Final report
Hyundai ix35 header

Hyundai ix35: Final report

Does the ix35 tick all the boxes for family buyers? After 12 months at the wheel, our man is well placed to reveal all
Long-term tests
19 Dec 2011
Saab 9-5: Final report
Saab 9-5 front tracking

Saab 9-5: Final report

We say goodbye to saloon. Is it goodbye to the brand, too?
Long-term tests
14 Dec 2011