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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MG MG4

MG MG4

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Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

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Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

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More on Long-term tests

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
26 Jun 2007
BMW 535d Touring M Sport
BMW 535d Touring M Sport

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
Volvo C70 D5 SE
Volvo C70 D5 SE

Volvo C70 D5 SE

A faulty roof has seen it out of action for a few weeks, but now our long-term Volvo C70 is ready for some summer sun
Long-term tests
5 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
5 Jun 2007
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
29 May 2007
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
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Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+
Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

With gadgets becoming a bigger part of daily driving, our Hyundai Santa Fe’s mammoth capacity for hi-tech kit is welcome
Long-term tests
8 May 2007
Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI
Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI

With its panoramic screen, our new Vauxhall Astra gives a superb driver's view. We'll have to decide whether it's a great idea or just a gimmick...
Long-term tests
8 May 2007
Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS
Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS

Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS

That's what Kia said when we asked it to build us a Cee'd for our fleet. So we did just that at its Slovakian factory...
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2007
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

VW's golf GTI is one of our favourite cars, so this 'edition 30' birthday special is a very happy return to our fleet
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2007
Skoda Octavia vRS
Skoda Octavia vRS

Skoda Octavia vRS

A year on, how's our Octavia performing?
Long-term tests
10 Apr 2007
Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Does Honda's FR-V offer the right blend of practicality?
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2007
Subaru B9 Tribeca

Subaru B9 Tribeca

Is there a place in this day and age for an SUV that returns only 22 miles to the gallon?
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2007
Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Even a recent coming together with a concrete pillar hasn’t spoiled our enjoyment of the Renault Modus over the past year
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2007
Nissan Note 1.6 SVE
Nissan Note

Nissan Note 1.6 SVE

Our Nissan note has made a big impression. But will the honeymoon last for the latest arrival on our fleet?
Long-term tests
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Lexus GS450h SE-L
Lexus GS450h SE-L

Lexus GS450h SE-L

Our hybrid Lexus GS450H has impressive green credentials – but its blend of electric and petrol power also means immense pace
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2007
Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3
Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

First impressions of our new Toyota Auris are that it's very similar to the brand's old Corolla
Long-term tests
27 Feb 2007