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

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,081 off RRP*Used from £11,700
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £3,224 off RRP*Used from £13,495
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £6,462 off RRP*
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,145Avg. savings £2,383 off RRP*Used from £15,483
* 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: 2,656 miles

Mini JCW: 2,656 miles

Second report: Our flagship hatch meets its racing cousin – so how does it compare?
Long-term tests
24 Jul 2009
Honda Insight: 1,485 miles

Honda Insight: 1,485 miles

SECOND REPORT: It’s back to the workshop for our hybrid after an unfortunate scrape!
Long-term tests
17 Jul 2009
Mazda 2: 1,588 miles

Mazda 2: 1,588 miles

First REPORT: Baby turns heads with garish paintjob. But is its beauty more than skin deep?
Long-term tests
17 Jul 2009
Suzuki Alto: 2,802 miles

Suzuki Alto: 2,802 miles

Second report: Mystery noise means it’s back to the drawing board for our city slicker.
Long-term tests
10 Jul 2009
Toyota Avensis Tourer: 7,215 Miles

Toyota Avensis Tourer: 7,215 Miles

Third report: It’s a tale of three Toyotas, as we rate our diesel estate against other variants in the family car range.
Long-term tests
10 Jul 2009
Peugeot Partner Tepee: 5,860 miles

Peugeot Partner Tepee: 5,860 miles

Final report: People carrier is pitched into battle for a camping trip. Does it uphold scout’s honour?
Long-term tests
2 Jul 2009
Ford Mondeo: 11,101 miles

Ford Mondeo: 11,101 miles

Third report: Our estate becomes a grand tourer as we travel the length of Britain – and France, too!
Long-term tests
2 Jul 2009
Hyundai i30: 1,167 miles

Hyundai i30: 1,167 miles

First report: Eco-friendly diesel is proving a hit in our new hatch
Long-term tests
26 Jun 2009
Toyota iQ: 5,304 Miles

Toyota iQ: 5,304 Miles

Third report: Tiny runabout is a hit in the city – but it is also proving a bit of an all-rounder
Long-term tests
26 Jun 2009
Citroen C-Crosser 2009 - long-term test

Citroen C-Crosser 2009 - long-term test

Third report: Our compact SUV is really getting into shape.
Long-term tests
22 Jun 2009
Daihatsu Materia

Daihatsu Materia

Third report: Has first set of bills taken edge off supermini?
Long-term tests
22 Jun 2009
Jaguar XF: 11,525 miles
Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF: 11,525 miles

FINAL REPORT: As police trial big cat as a patrol car, we bid our saloon a fond farewell
Long-term tests
12 Jun 2009
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Audi TT TDI: 1,019 miles
Audi TT TDI

Audi TT TDI: 1,019 miles

FIRST REPORT: Read all about it: Just a week after we named the greatest quattro ever, a new one has joined our fleet!
Long-term tests
12 Jun 2009
Skoda Superb
Skoda Superb

Skoda Superb

We get to grips with a new set of tyres as family car piles on the mileage.
Long-term tests
5 Jun 2009
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
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