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

Audi A3

Audi A3

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

Volkswagen Golf

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

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,344 off RRP*Used from £10,195
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

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

SEAT Leon FR

SEAT Leon FR

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
26 Sep 2007
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
26 Sep 2007
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
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2007
Nissan Note 1.6 SVE
Nissan Note

Nissan Note 1.6 SVE

A week long trip to Norfolk carrying five people and their luggage was the challenge for our Nissan Note
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2007
Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS
Kia Cee'd

Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS

Our Kia Cee’d is proving its worth having clocked up a huge mileage in only six months. But its tyres haven’t proven quite so durable!
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2007
Land Rover Freelander TD4 HSE
Land Rover Freelander

Land Rover Freelander TD4 HSE

Refined new Land Rover Freelander is an instant hit with our high-mileage photographer
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2007
Renaultsport Clio 197
Clios

Renaultsport Clio 197

It’s not every day you meet an automotive legend.
Long-term tests
29 Aug 2007
Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI Panoramic
Astra screen

Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI Panoramic

Clever Panoramic screen makes Astra the perfect sight-seeing vehicle!
Long-term tests
29 Aug 2007
Citroen C4 Picasso
Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen C4 Picasso

Injury left publishing director James Burnay unable to drive the latest Citroen C4 Picasso people carrier. But it still impressed with its flexibilit…
Long-term tests
8 Aug 2007
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30
VW Golf GTI Edition 30, competition TSI

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

Our Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30 takes a break from life on the road to meet its race twin. We see how they compare
Long-term tests
8 Aug 2007
Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki’s Swift Sport reminds us of the pioneers of the supermini class. But is the hot hatch really a modern classic?
Long-term tests
30 Jul 2007
Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro
Audi TT

Audi TT Coupé 3.2 quattro

Did we notice a rejuvenated 'Audi experience' when our TT had its first check-up?
Long-term tests
30 Jul 2007
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Subaru B9 Tribeca SE7
Subaru Tribeca

Subaru B9 Tribeca SE7

Made in Indiana, but wearing a Japanese badge, Subaru’s Tribeca sounds like one mixed up 4x4...
Long-term tests
23 Jul 2007
Lexus GS
Lexus GS

Lexus GS

While we weren’t convinced by our Lexus GS initially, a solid 12 months’ service has won us over to the idea of running a hybrid
Long-term tests
23 Jul 2007
Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

First time out, our Toyota Auris didn’t quite come up to scratch. But, 4,000 miles later, it’s beginning to prove itself
Long-term tests
17 Jul 2007
Long Term report

Long Term report

With its space-age looks, our Civic Type R goes boldly wherever we take it. What’s it like to drive every day?
Long-term tests
9 Jul 2007
Long term: Ford Focus ST-2
Ford Focus ST-2

Long term: Ford Focus ST-2

One year and 18,000 miles later, we give our final verdict on life with the Focus ST-2
Long-term tests
2 Jul 2007
SEAT Leon FR TDI
Seat Leon FR TDI

SEAT Leon FR TDI

It's time for a fresh start for our SEAT Leon after a series of unfortunate mishaps...
Long-term tests
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BMW 535d Touring M Sport
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BMW 535d Touring M Sport

Road test editor Oliver Marriage reckons he's found his dream family car in the shape of our new BMW 5-Series touring
Long-term tests
26 Jun 2007
Mazda 3 MPS
Mazda 3 MPS

Mazda 3 MPS

It was in at the deep end for our new Mazda 3 MPS, with a trip to Europe's top race track. So is the car a winner?
Long-term tests
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Jaguar XK 4.2 V8 Coupe
Jaguar XK 4.2 V8 Coupé

Jaguar XK 4.2 V8 Coupe

A year with the sensational Jaguar XK, our car of 2006
Long-term tests
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Nissan Note 1.6 SVE
Nissan Note 1.6 SVE

Nissan Note 1.6 SVE

A marathon football trip gave our Nissan Note the chance to earn its stripes out on the open road
Long-term tests
29 May 2007
Peugeot 407 Coupe V6 HDi
Peugeot 407 Coupé V6 HDi

Peugeot 407 Coupe V6 HDi

What a pane! Just as we were falling for our new Peugeot 407 coupe, it was hit by a stroke of bad luck...
Long-term tests
22 May 2007