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...

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Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

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Omoda 5

Omoda 5

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Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

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More on Long-term tests

Ford S-Max Titanium
Ford S-Max Titanium

Ford S-Max Titanium

Ford MPV is a master of multi-tasking – and we’ll be sad to see it go...
Long-term tests
16 Sep 2008
SEAT Leon Cupra
SEAT Leon Cupra

SEAT Leon Cupra

Final report: Road tester James Disdale bids our Leon farewell with a sporty day out and 9,955 miles on the clock.
Long-term tests
9 Sep 2008
MINI Clubman
Mini mountain

MINI Clubman

Our Clubman has completed two European tours and 9,744 miles - time for its second report!
Long-term tests
3 Sep 2008
Skoda Roomster
Skoda Roomster

Skoda Roomster

While the jury's still out on its looks, our practical Skoda puts the boot into car boot sale!
Long-term tests
26 Aug 2008
Laguna: 11,363 miles
Laguna thing

Laguna: 11,363 miles

SECOND REPORT: Renault’s family hatch takes a trip back to France
Long-term tests
20 Aug 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X: 5,249 miles
LT 4

Mitsubishi Evolution X: 5,249 miles

Second report: We knew our Evo was costly, but an early tyre change was a major surprise.
Long-term tests
13 Aug 2008
Mercedes C320: 4,700 miles
C320 fr

Mercedes C320: 4,700 miles

SECOND REPORT: Editor in chief David Johns is counting the cost of driving a 'thirsty’ diesel.
Long-term tests
6 Aug 2008
Kia Cee’D: 6,021 miles
Cee'd dor

Kia Cee’D: 6,021 miles

SECOND REPORT: Our three-door Pro_cee’d is a bit of all-white!
Long-term tests
4 Aug 2008
Suzuki Splash: 2,311 miles
Splash ears

Suzuki Splash: 2,311 miles

First report: The newest model on our fleet is off to a good start – bar one minor headache!
Long-term tests
30 Jul 2008
Peugeot 207 SW: 6,148 miles
207 fr

Peugeot 207 SW: 6,148 miles

Second report: Our compact load-lugger is wearing well under the constant pressure of a pair of mucky pups
Long-term tests
23 Jul 2008
Citroen C4 Picasso
Picasso rock

Citroen C4 Picasso

We take the C4 on one last trip before we say goodbye to our 12-month old long-termer.
Long-term tests
9 Jul 2008
Subaru Justy 1.0 R
Subaru Justy 1.0 R

Subaru Justy 1.0 R

Our staff photographer loves all things Oriental. Will this include our new Japanese city car?
Long-term tests
20 Jun 2008
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Toyota Yaris 1.4
Toyota Yaris 1.4

Toyota Yaris 1.4

Second report: Would baby score on 1,100-mile trip to watch Scotland’s finest football team?
Long-term tests
11 Jun 2008
Audi A3 Cabriolet Sport
A3 fr2

Audi A3 Cabriolet Sport

FIRST REPORT: We join the winning team at Le Mans in our new Audi. But is it a champ, too?
Long-term tests
2 Jun 2008
Chrysler 300C Touring
Chrysler 300C

Chrysler 300C Touring

Our latest arrival is Chrysler’s stunning, all-American 300C Touring.
Long-term tests
2 Jun 2008
BMW 535d Touring
BMW 535d Touring

BMW 535d Touring

Have we ever had a long-term car that’s as good to drive and as versatile as BMW's 535d Touring? Our man is struggling to think of anything better...
Long-term tests
2 Jun 2008
Honda Civic Type-R
Honda Civic

Honda Civic Type-R

It's never easy saying goodbye, but one of our road testers is so sorry to see our Honda Civic type R depart, he’s taken to desperate measures to prev…
Long-term tests
28 May 2008
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail

It looks like it would be more at home on the United nations fleet, but our Nissan X-Trail is proving its worth as a daily comp…
Long-term tests
21 May 2008
Volvo C30
Volvo C30

Volvo C30

Our new Volvo C30 is so eye-catching, it stands out beside even the most striking landmarks.
Long-term tests
21 May 2008
Mitsubishi Evo X
Mitsubishi Evo X

Mitsubishi Evo X

Meet Evo-Man! Armed with a cape and blue tights, he’s the ideal driver for our Mitsubishi Evo x – a car that easily transforms from mild-mannered comm…
Long-term tests
12 May 2008
Ford S-MAX 2008 - long term test
Ford S-MAX

Ford S-MAX 2008 - long term test

Our motoring editor’s been in a bit of a sweat – and it’s all down to the ‘greenhouse effect’ of his S-Max cabin!
Long-term tests
12 May 2008
MINI Clubman Cooper D
MINI Clubman

MINI Clubman Cooper D

The university city’s car factory builds around 260,000 MINIs a year. We went to collect our new model – and see how the Clubman goes from raw bodyshe…
Long-term tests
7 May 2008
Mazda 6 2.0D TS2
Mazda 6 front

Mazda 6 2.0D TS2

Our new Mazda 6 is a capable cruiser over long distances, but fun on b-roads, too – so it’s certain to be a big hit as our team members plan their sum…
Long-term tests
2 May 2008