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

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,495
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £12,990
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long-term Audi TT
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Who would have thought it? Our Audi TT is winning favour for the gear its boot swallows. And that’s on top of its breathtaking performance, incredible…
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Long-term Ford S-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium
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We’re dazzled by the array of optional kit included on our new Ford S-MAX. It offers all the comfort and technology of the Lexus it replaces – at half…
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With a new set of optional black alloys fitted, our Golf GTI Edition 30 looks fantastic – and they are the finishing touch to a truly fantastic driver…
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BMW M3
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The rapid BMW left us strangely unmoved when we first drove it. Would a long-term test help us warm to the ultimate 3-Series?
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Long-term Suzuki Swift Sport
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Small is best when it comes to city driving – and Suzuki’s Swift Sport is proving to be an ideal companion
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Long-term Citroen Picasso
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It’s one of the most popular cars on our fleet thanks to its huge capacity – and recently, our C4 Picasso has helped create some…
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Long-term Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3
Toyota Auris

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First impressions don’t always count! We weren’t big fans of the Toyota Auris when it arrived on our fleet. but we’ve stuck with it, and it’s now prov…
Long-term tests
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Long-term Mazda 3 MPS
Mazda 3 front

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We're on first-name terms with our Mazda dealer after a spate of calls to sort a problem on our 3 MPS. But it hasn't spoiled our enjoyment of our supe…
Long-term tests
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Long-term BMW 535d M Sport Touring
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Long-term Honda Civic Type R
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Long-term Honda Civic Type R

Fitting a new grille badge to our Honda Civic Type R is far from simple – it includes removing the front bumper! Thankfully, life is less stressful wi…
Long-term tests
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Volvo C70 D5 SE
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Volvo C70 D5 SE

A road trip to Barcelona gave our Volvo C70 a chance to stretch its legs. But how practical, comfortable and frugal is a coupé-cabrio over such a dist…
Long-term tests
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SEAT Leon FR

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After an unfortunate collision with a skip, our SEAT Leon FR is in full health again following a trip to the bodyshop. And it’s piling on the miles wi…
Long-term tests
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Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+
Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

Our Santa Fe has proven a bit of a pain after dodgy seat controls forced us to adopt some unusual positions behind the wheel. But otherwise, the 4x4 h…
Long-term tests
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Peugeot 407 Coupe V6 HDi
Peugeot 407

Peugeot 407 Coupe V6 HDi

Our 407 coupe is a long-distance favourite, packed with hi-tech kit. But a couple of incidents make us think it's sometimes too clever by half
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Nissan Note 1.6 SVE
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Land Rover Freelander TD4 HSE
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Refined new Land Rover Freelander is an instant hit with our high-mileage photographer
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Clever Panoramic screen makes Astra the perfect sight-seeing vehicle!
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Citroen C4 Picasso
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Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30
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Our Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30 takes a break from life on the road to meet its race twin. We see how they compare
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Suzuki Swift Sport

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Suzuki’s Swift Sport reminds us of the pioneers of the supermini class. But is the hot hatch really a modern classic?
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