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...

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

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Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £12,695
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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More on Long-term tests

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
Suzuki Swift: Second report
Suzuki Swift header

Suzuki Swift: Second report

Our roving reporter has been canvassing opinion on the Swift – and it’s been proving popular with the Auto Express jury
Long-term tests
12 Dec 2011
Audi A1: Final report
Audi A1 header

Audi A1: Final report

After six months, our senior road tester bids a fond farewell to our smart and sophisticated supermini
Long-term tests
5 Dec 2011
SEAT Ibiza ST: Fourth report
SEAT Ibiza ST

SEAT Ibiza ST: Fourth report

Our compact estate has been travelling the length of the country... and impressing with its comfort and cruising ability
Long-term tests
28 Nov 2011
Kia Sportage: Fourth report
Kia Sportage: Fourth report

Kia Sportage: Fourth report

A recent scrape has shown just how popular the Kia is proving – as parts shortages mean we faced a month-long wait for a repair
Long-term tests
21 Nov 2011
Ford Focus: Third report
Ford Focus front tracking

Ford Focus: Third report

Five-door Focus has won over our family man with its entertaining drive as well as its gadgetry
Long-term tests
16 Nov 2011
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Final report
Mitsubishi i-MiEV header

Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Final report

After four months with our first-ever electric car, do the sums add up?
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2011
Saab 9-5: Fourth report
Saab 9-5 header

Saab 9-5: Fourth report

Saab’s tale of woe in recent months has resembled a horror movie – but it hasn’t spoiled our enjoyment of classy saloon
Long-term tests
9 Nov 2011
Nissan Leaf: First report
Nissan Leaf front three-quarters

Nissan Leaf: First report

We’ve picked up the keys to the Nissan Leaf EV trailblazer – and it’s impressed already
Long-term tests
7 Nov 2011
Vauxhall Corsa: Third report
Vauxhall Corsa header

Vauxhall Corsa: Third report

Having wrapped up himself, our man turns attention to readying supermini for winter
Long-term tests
2 Nov 2011
Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth update
Skoda Superb front cornering

Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth update

Is the Superb Estate any good? Absolutely... it more than lives up to its name!
Long-term tests
31 Oct 2011
Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Fourth report
Renault Megane Sport Tourer header

Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Fourth report

Compact estate is ideal choice as our man tees off with a new hobby
Long-term tests
26 Oct 2011
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Volkswagen Polo: Second report
Volkswagen Polo header

Volkswagen Polo: Second report

Can a 1.2-litre Polo really match our man’s classic Golf GTI for pace? We carried out a unique test to find out
Long-term tests
24 Oct 2011
Audi A1: Third report
Audi A1 header

Audi A1: Third report

Racer Owen has piled on the miles getting to tracks around the UK in our baby Audi. What’s his verdict?
Long-term tests
19 Oct 2011
Mazda 5: Third report
Mazda 5 header

Mazda 5: Third report

After grinding to a halt, our MPV was sparked back to life with a simple reboot
Long-term tests
17 Oct 2011
Peugeot 508 SW: First report
Peugeot 508 SW and Graham Hope

Peugeot 508 SW: First report

Black magic? Our menacing new 508 has impressed with its blend of style and practicality
Long-term tests
10 Oct 2011
Hyundai ix35: Fourth report
Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage

Hyundai ix35: Fourth report

Our publisher loves the ix35, but was intrigued to find out how it compared to its classy Kia Sportage cousin
Long-term tests
5 Oct 2011
Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDIS: First report
Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDIS header

Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDIS: First report

Five-door supermini is proving a hit as family transport – and the diesel engine is impressing, too
Long-term tests
3 Oct 2011
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: third report
Mitsubishi i-MiEV front

Mitsubishi i-MiEV: third report

Is driving from London to Orkney realistic in an electric car? Our intrepid reporter weighs up the options...
Long-term tests
28 Sep 2011
Mercedes E350 CDI Estate: Fourth report
Mercedes E350 CDI Estate front tracking

Mercedes E350 CDI Estate: Fourth report

We prepare to wave a fond farewell to estate after a year of great service as a capable long-distance star
Long-term tests
26 Sep 2011
SEAT Ibiza ST: Third report
SEAT Ibiza ST header

SEAT Ibiza ST: Third report

Deceptively roomy supermini packs a lot in when we head off to a car boot sale
Long-term tests
21 Sep 2011
Ford Focus: Second report
Ford Focus Darren Wilson

Ford Focus: Second report

Hatch packs in a lot of technology, but is it too clever for its own good? Even we were stumped...
Long-term tests
19 Sep 2011
Saab 9-5
Saab 9-5 front cornering

Saab 9-5

Swedes have slashed price, which makes our big exec look more tempting than ever
Long-term tests
14 Sep 2011