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

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,321 off RRP*Used from £10,904
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,054 off RRP*Used from £9,995
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £3,224 off RRP*Used from £13,495
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £6,462 off RRP*
* 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

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi

As the weather is getting colder, our Honda FR-V has been equipped with winter tyres to help it through the next few months
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2006
Audi
Audi TT

Audi

Audi's TT is so easy to drive, you could do it blindfolded...
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2006
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS

Road-works and potholes are an ever-present nuisance, so thank goodness our Sportage can cut through the distractions with relative ease
Long-term tests
8 Nov 2006
Ford Focus ST-2

Ford Focus ST-2

Everyone loves a hot hatchback and our test team was no exception
Long-term tests
31 Oct 2006
Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Renault's Modus is cheap to run, nippy in traffic and will be missed when it's returned
Long-term tests
24 Oct 2006
Mazda MX-5 2.0i

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

Throughout my tenure with the otherwise delightful 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5, I’ve attempted various tasks which have left me feeling somewhat frustrated
Long-term tests
24 Oct 2006
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

The Santa FE's piled on the miles and has exceeded all expectations of our test team
Long-term tests
18 Oct 2006
Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE

Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE

Blue lights were flashing, sirens wailing. The ambulance wanted to get through, but where was I supposed to go?
Long-term tests
11 Oct 2006
Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Road test editor Oliver Marriage has handed on custody of the long-term Volkswagen Golf GTI
Long-term tests
4 Oct 2006
Lexus GS450h SE-L

Lexus GS450h SE-L

The Lexus GS450h is starting to prove that it's cool to go green
Long-term tests
3 Oct 2006
Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia vRS

Skoda Octavia

Skoda's load-lugger continues to put a smile on our faces, even after 17,568 miles
Long-term tests
19 Sep 2006
Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto
Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

Our Subaru Forester's been reliable but it does like to drink fuel
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2006
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Toyota Aygo 1.0+ five-door
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo 1.0+ five-door

The Aygo's perfect in town, enjoyable to travel about in and a delight to park
Long-term tests
12 Sep 2006
Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design

Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design

The Zafira's become a favourite amongst the Auto Express road test team
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2006
MINI Cooper S Convertible

MINI Cooper S Convertible

Has our MINI begun to self-harm? It certainly seems so
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2006
Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320
Mitusbishi Evo IX FQ-320

Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320

The rumble of our Mitsubishi Evo has left a deathly silence behind it...
Long-term tests
30 Aug 2006
Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Now just past the 10,000-mile mark, our Honda's fuel consumption has settled to around 35mpg
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2006
Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-Spec
Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-Spec

The Nissan Pathfinder continues to impress our tester
Long-term tests
15 Aug 2006
Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

Citroen’s C4, has been proving its worth as a bag-carrier supreme during its stint on our fleet
Long-term tests
9 Aug 2006
Ford Focus ST-2
Ford Focus ST-2

Ford Focus ST-2

Happy faces all round as Ford's Focus ST-2 joins our long-term test fleet
Long-term tests
1 Aug 2006
Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

The Modus' leather interior is needing more upkeep than expected
Long-term tests
25 Jul 2006
Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE
Audi A4 Avant

Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE

Long-term tests
19 Jul 2006
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 vgt CDX+
Hyundai Sante Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 vgt CDX+

On your bike! That's been my response so far to colleagues who have asked to borrow the latest addition to our long-term fleet.
Long-term tests
11 Jul 2006