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

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,753 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £12,695
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,510 off RRP*Used from £11,695
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,459 off RRP*Used from £15,045
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long drive to Silverstone in electric baby gives our man a range anxiety attack
Long-term tests
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MINI Countryman Cooper D All4 rear tracking

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It’s a fond farewell to our MINI, which has wowed young and old alike...
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Audi A1: Second report
Audi A1

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A bikers’ tip helps to address a problem with our premium supermini
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Hyundai ix35: Third report
Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35: Third report

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Long-term tests
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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
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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
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Mazda 5: Second report
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Mazda 5: Second report

Our MPV’s sliding doors have helped make life a whole lot easier for our working mum
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SEAT Ibiza ST: Second report
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Supermini estate has the pace to get us to the church on time – and the style to grace any wedding car park
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV: first report
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Volkswagen Polo: first report
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We pitch our punchy petrol baby Suzuki against its closest rival: the new diesel Swift
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Saab 9-5

Big saloon is under pressure to deliver with better efficiency after we switched to Eco tyre readings
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Ford S-MAX
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Peugeot RCZ
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Our coupe is blessed with many talents, but it's no match for Jaguar's sensational new XKR-S. Or is it?
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