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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £2,514 off RRP*Used from £11,195
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,416 off RRP*Used from £13,302
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,283 off RRP*Used from £26,500
* 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

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
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Mazda 5: Third report

After grinding to a halt, our MPV was sparked back to life with a simple reboot
Long-term tests
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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
Kia Sportage (2010-2016): long term test
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Kia Sportage (2010-2016): long term test

Dealer service has really impressed after wheel problem on crossover
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2011
Citroen DS3: Final report
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Citroen DS3: Final report

Not even heavy rain can put a dampener on our farewell to the stylish French hatch after a year of super service
Long-term tests
7 Sep 2011
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Suzuki Swift: Final report
Suzuki Swift front tracking

Suzuki Swift: Final report

Supermini has really lived up to its name over 11 fun-filled months with us
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2011
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Second report
Mitsubishi i-MiEv at Silverstone

Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Second report

Long drive to Silverstone in electric baby gives our man a range anxiety attack
Long-term tests
31 Aug 2011
MINI Countryman Cooper D ALL4: Final report
MINI Countryman Cooper D All4 rear tracking

MINI Countryman Cooper D ALL4: Final report

It’s a fond farewell to our MINI, which has wowed young and old alike...
Long-term tests
29 Aug 2011
Skoda Superb Estate: Third report
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Skoda Superb Estate: Third report

After a busy summer of family car duties, our Skoda needs a clean – and it scrubs up well
Long-term tests
24 Aug 2011
Vauxhall Corsa: Second report
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Vauxhall Corsa: Second report

Surprising load capacity makes baby Vauxhall a hit for trips to the tip
Long-term tests
22 Aug 2011
Peugeot RCZ: Final report
Peugeot RCZ

Peugeot RCZ: Final report

After more than 10,000 miles, we stage a spectacular farewell for our sparkling coupe
Long-term tests
17 Aug 2011
Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Third report
Renault Megane Sport Tourer front tracking

Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Third report

Practicality isn’t our estate’s only talent – it’s big on performance, too. We put it through its paces on a special Renaultsport track day
Long-term tests
15 Aug 2011
Audi A1: Second report
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Audi A1: Second report

A bikers’ tip helps to address a problem with our premium supermini
Long-term tests
12 Aug 2011
Hyundai ix35: Third report
Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35: Third report

Technical gremlins have been at play recently – but that hasn’t stopped us having fun in our family holdall
Long-term tests
10 Aug 2011
Citroen DS3: Fourth report
Citroen DS3

Citroen DS3: Fourth report

Long injury lay-off brought enforced break from our hot hatch. So has absence made the heart grow fonder?
Long-term tests
1 Aug 2011
Ford Focus: First report
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Ford Focus: First report

Our man is downsizing from a seven-seater MPV, so is the new hatch up to the job?
Long-term tests
1 Aug 2011