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

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

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

Nissan Qashqai

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

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
* 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

The deer shunter
SEAT Leon

The deer shunter

An unfortunate encounter with the rural wildlife has left our SEAT Leon Cupra in tatters. The poor deer came off worse – but we’re also mourning the e…
Long-term tests
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Under Cover
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The Skoda Roomster: chic or freak? Some have taken to wearing disguises to avoid being seen in it, but despite the debatable looks, it’s still proving…
Long-term tests
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Kia Pro_cee’d Sport
Kia Pro_cee’d Sport

Kia Pro_cee’d Sport

It’s been a hectic start to life for the Pro_cee’d as everyone on the team wants a piece of the action...
Long-term tests
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Mercedes C320 CDI
Mercedes C320

Mercedes C320 CDI

A day out at Mercedes’ sensational ‘theme park’ proved to be a great introduction to life with our C-Class.
Long-term tests
23 Apr 2008
Peugeot 207 SW
Peugeot 307 SW

Peugeot 207 SW

Our 207 sw was forced off the road weeks after joining the fleet – so only now it’s been fixed are we really starting to appreciate it.
Long-term tests
17 Apr 2008
Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi
Renault Laguna

Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi

Our long term Laguns is causing Kim a few headaches.
Long-term tests
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BMW 535d M Sport Touring
BMW 535d Touring

BMW 535d M Sport Touring

Our BMW 5-Series Touring swallowed masses of gear and took the worst of the Alpine winter weather in its stride on a recent family skiing trip...
Long-term tests
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Nissan X-Trail Sport Expedition
Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail Sport Expedition

Is the Nissan X-Trail the ideal car for our man Pete Gibson’s growing clan? We’ll find out over the next year!
Long-term tests
2 Apr 2008
Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D TR
Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D TR

Delays in receiving a parking permit have prevented us really getting to know our new Toyota Yaris. but now we’re up and running – and first impressio…
Long-term tests
2 Apr 2008
Mazda MX-5 RC Sport
Mazda MX-5 RC

Mazda MX-5 RC Sport

Our Mazda MX-5 has been in the wars – but we gave it some ‘scuff love’ and patched up the bodywork with the help of Halfords’ Smart repairs expert tea…
Long-term tests
19 Mar 2008
Toyota Auris
Toyota Auris

Toyota Auris

Has the Toyota hatch left a pleasant taste after 12 months on test? Our chocaholic managing editor serves up his verdict on the rebranding from Coroll…
Long-term tests
5 Mar 2008
Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R

We’ve had plenty of fun on the race circuit in our Honda Civic Type R. But does the three-door thriller perform as well as …
Long-term tests
5 Mar 2008
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Citroen C4 Picasso
Citroen Picasso

Citroen C4 Picasso

The chance to work outside London saw our Citroen C4 Picasso head for rural England – loaded with a fortnight of luggage and a bike
Long-term tests
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SEAT Leon Cupra
SEAT Leon Cupra

SEAT Leon Cupra

Our bright yellow SEAT Leon FR TDI is making way for an even more distinctive Cupra version. So what are our first impressions – and is the flagship h…
Long-term tests
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Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro
Audi TT

Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro

Read it and weep... the brochure will soon be the only reminder of the great service we’ve had from our TT as we bid the classy Audi coupé a sad goodb…
Long-term tests
20 Feb 2008
Whine glum!
nissan front

Whine glum!

A mystery engine noise has been annoying us during our final few weeks in the note. but guess what?
Long-term tests
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Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30
gti front

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

After an amazing year on the Auto Express fleet, we’ve said farewell to Volkswagen’s Golf GTI Edition 30, but can it be considered among the very fine…
Long-term tests
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Land Rover Freelander 2008 - long-term test
Land Rover Freelander

Land Rover Freelander 2008 - long-term test

Our long term Freelander has found favour with staff photographer Pete Gibson
Long-term tests
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Lion’s on song
Peugeot 407

Lion’s on song

Peugeot’s 407 coupé certainly hit the right note with us thanks to its clever sound system which copied all of our favourite music on to its hard driv…
Long-term tests
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Kia Cee'd

Why Kia Cee'd is a good sport

Kia’s Cee’d has proved itself in every area, from cruising to carrying loads. but what happened when it entered the world of motorsport?
Long-term tests
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Long-term Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Swift

Long-term Suzuki Swift Sport

Our racy little Suzuki’s been on a long, high-speed motorway trip for a last hurrah. So, how did it fare?
Long-term tests
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Long-term Volvo C70

Long-term Volvo C70

After nearly 18 months on the long-term fleet, our C70 has finally gone back to Volvo.
Long-term tests
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Long-term Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5

Long-term Mazda MX-5

Does Mazda’s all-new hard-top MX-5 Roadster Coupé set the pulse racing in the same way as the soft-top model? It’s time to have some winter fun!
Long-term tests
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