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

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,145Avg. savings £2,383 off RRP*Used from £15,483
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,344 off RRP*Used from £10,195
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £11,470
Audi A3

Audi A3

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

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
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
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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
Ford Mondeo Estate TDCi Titanium X Sport
Ford Mondeo Estate

Ford Mondeo Estate TDCi Titanium X Sport

First report: Big family ferrier has joined fleet – but are we pining for the S-MAX MPV it replaces?
Long-term tests
20 Mar 2009
Nissan X-Trail: 24,715 miles

Nissan X-Trail: 24,715 miles

FINAL REPORT: How has the practical yet easy-to-drive SUV coped with 12 tough months on our fleet?
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2009
Daihatsu Materia

Daihatsu Materia

First report: Wherever we go, our new baby seems to turn heads – and we’re lapping up all the attention!
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2009
Peugeot Partner Tepee

Peugeot Partner Tepee

Van-styled people carrier has replaced our 207 SW – and it’s standing up well to the rigours of daily family use...
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2009
Yaris D-4D: 6,050 miles

Yaris D-4D: 6,050 miles

Final report: Fuss-free Toyota has proven well up to scratch with us.
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2009
Evo FQ-360: 2,990 miles
Evo FQ-360: 2,990 miles

Evo FQ-360: 2,990 miles

First report: We’ve upgraded to even faster Mitsubishi – but is it a better car to own?
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2009
MINI Cooper D Clubman

MINI Cooper D Clubman

Final report: Our estate signs off in style in a face-to-face with MINI’s hot hatch JCW flagship.
Long-term tests
26 Feb 2009
VW Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDI
VW Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDI

VW Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDI

We’ve hit 55mpg in our BlueMotion test car after 4,450 miles – and that translates to huge savings at the fuel pumps.
Long-term tests
26 Feb 2009
Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi
Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi

Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi

Final report: Our Renault’s been a hit with us after 19,124 miles – but not many others...
Long-term tests
26 Feb 2009
Kia Pro_cee'd

Kia Pro_cee'd

Final report: After 8,064 miles striking white three-door is leaving our fleet. Big question is, will we miss it?
Long-term tests
20 Feb 2009