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 £1,803 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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It requires guts to take on MINI, but our new premium small car has the stomach for a fight
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Stylish, practical supermini estate has joined our fleet in time for the warm weather and the holiday season
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Saab 9-5
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Does stylish Swedish saloon have what it takes to fill the shoes of an old favourite?
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A starring role in a Ford technical video was the latest assignment for our MPV
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MINI Countryman Cooper D
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MINI Countryman Cooper D

Kids grow up fast – and the MINI has too since we first tried one. Now, the Countryman is a fine travelling companion...
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Suzuki Swift
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Suzuki Swift

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Citroen DS3
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Regular driver has taken enforced break. But everyone else loves hatch!
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Mazda 3
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Hyundai ix35
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