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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

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Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

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

Renault Clio

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* 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

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
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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
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Audi A3 Cabriolet Sport
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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
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Chrysler 300C Touring
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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
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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
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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
The deer shunter
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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
25 Apr 2008
Under Cover
Skoda Roomster

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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
25 Apr 2008
Kia Pro_cee’d Sport
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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
23 Apr 2008
Mercedes C320 CDI
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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