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 £19,490
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

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

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £12,990
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
* 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

MINI JCW
MINI JCW

MINI JCW

It delivers fun by the bucketload – but how does British hot hatch scrub up as a daily driver?
Long-term tests
5 Jun 2009
VW Tiguan: 3,746 miles
VW Tiguan

VW Tiguan: 3,746 miles

FIRST REPORT: We’re still finding our way with compact SUV. Can it make up for kit shortfall with other talents?
Long-term tests
29 May 2009
Suzuki Alto: 791 miles
Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto: 791 miles

FIRST REPORT: Characterful 50mpg runabout should prove a big hit in the city
Long-term tests
29 May 2009
Mercedes C320 CDI Sport: 13,620 miles
Mercedes C320 CDI Sport

Mercedes C320 CDI Sport: 13,620 miles

FINAL REPORT: One year on, did V6 diesel pass its toughest test?
Long-term tests
29 May 2009
Hyundai i30 Estate: 8,002 miles

Hyundai i30 Estate: 8,002 miles

FINAL REPORT: It’s goodbye to our carrier, and hello hatchback
Long-term tests
22 May 2009
Ford Focus RS: 2,670 miles

Ford Focus RS: 2,670 miles

Potent new hot hatch is a dream come true for our man – but how does it match up to its revered predecessor?
Long-term tests
22 May 2009
VOLVO C30: 15,167 miles
VOLVO C30

VOLVO C30: 15,167 miles

FINAL REPORT: It’s with sadness we say farewell to stylish Swede
Long-term tests
15 May 2009
Toyota Avensis: 4,958 miles
Toyota Avensis

Toyota Avensis: 4,958 miles

SECOND REPORT: We add some sparkle to spacious estate’s bodywork!
Long-term tests
15 May 2009
Honda Insight: 416 miles
Honda Insight

Honda Insight: 416 miles

FIRST REPORT: We’re house hunting in our new hybrid… but will we be ‘sold’ on its talents?
Long-term tests
15 May 2009
Ford Mondeo

Ford Mondeo

Second report: Our very own Mondeo man has seen the light on a true all-round star
Long-term tests
11 May 2009
Jaguar XF
Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF

Third report: Key encounter as our cat meets XFR brother.
Long-term tests
11 May 2009
Daihatsu Materia: 11,395 miles
Daihatsu Materia

Daihatsu Materia: 11,395 miles

SECOND REPORT: Hit or miss? Our unusual-looking Japanese hatch is never short of attention – so we set out to find why that’s the case...
Long-term tests
1 May 2009
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Peugeot Partner Tepee: 4,406 miles
Peugeot Partner Tepee

Peugeot Partner Tepee: 4,406 miles

Second Report: Is running the budget MPV proving to be a tall order?
Long-term tests
1 May 2009
Toyota iQ: 3,969 miles
Toyota iQ

Toyota iQ: 3,969 miles

Second report: City car stars in our very own little and large show
Long-term tests
1 May 2009
Mercedes C320 CDI Sport: 11,305 miles
Mercedes C320 CDI

Mercedes C320 CDI Sport: 11,305 miles

Fourth report: Our C-Class is fighting fit after a very special service
Long-term tests
24 Apr 2009
Mitsubishi EVO X FQ360
Mitsubishi EVO X FQ360

Mitsubishi EVO X FQ360

Final report: We visit one of UK’s top test tracks to see just how capable our Lancer is
Long-term tests
16 Apr 2009
Skoda Superb TDI Elegance
Skoda Superb TDI Elegance

Skoda Superb TDI Elegance

Our Skoda continues to impress – but it’s set for a spell on the sidelines after an accident left its pristine body damaged.
Long-term tests
16 Apr 2009
Citroen C-Crosser Exclusive 2.2 HDi

Citroen C-Crosser Exclusive 2.2 HDi

Second Report: From SUV to MPV – at a squeeze!
Long-term tests
9 Apr 2009
Audi A3 Cabrio: 14,095 miles

Audi A3 Cabrio: 14,095 miles

THIRD REPORT: We’re loving the fact we can get the top down on our Audi at every opportunity, no matter what the weather...
Long-term tests
8 Apr 2009
Jaguar XF 2009 review
Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF 2009 review

With its hi-tech audio system, our luxury saloon has hit the right note.
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2009
Hyundai i30 estate 1.6 CRDI Premium
Hyundai i30

Hyundai i30 estate 1.6 CRDI Premium

After 7,058 miles we've come to the conclusion our clever carrier is a bloomin’ marvellous estate!
Long-term tests
2 Apr 2009
Volvo C30 D5 R-Design SE Sport
Volvo C30

Volvo C30 D5 R-Design SE Sport

Third report: Our very own crash test dummy really rates three-door for safety.
Long-term tests
30 Mar 2009
Toyota iQ and Avensis

Toyota iQ and Avensis

Twin report: Does a tiny city car or big estate make more sense for modern drivers? Our new Toyota's will help us decide.
Long-term tests
27 Mar 2009