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

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £7,495
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,510 off RRP*Used from £11,695
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,895
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £9,900
* 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

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
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
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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
Mazda MX-5 2.0i
Mazda MX-5 2.0i

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

The Mazda MX-5 has worked its charms on our reviewer. Now they're inseparable
Long-term tests
26 Jun 2006
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS
Kia Sportage image

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS

The Sportage does exactly what it says on the tin...
Long-term tests
21 Jun 2006
BMW 120d SE

BMW 120d SE

The 1-Series ticks most of the boxes in terms of what I look for
Long-term tests
21 Jun 2006
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Golf GTI image

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The GTI's nature and power output contribute to its unhealthy appetite for tyres
Long-term tests
13 Jun 2006
Lexus IS250 SE-L
Lexus rear three-quarter image

Lexus IS250 SE-L

An obstructive gearchange has troubled most drivers who've taken over the keys of our Lexus
Long-term tests
13 Jun 2006
Peugeot 1007 Dolce 2-Tronic

Peugeot 1007 Dolce 2-Tronic

Auto transmission didn't suit the 1007 in town, but on the motorway things look up
Long-term tests
6 Jun 2006
Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery

Disappointing fuel economy, for obvious reasons, but well suited to hard family use
Long-term tests
30 May 2006
Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

Sometimes, two wheels are better than four. Certainly, as the warm weather arrives, cycling has become an enjoyable experience. And, thanks to the spa…
Long-term tests
23 May 2006
Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320

Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320

Immense performance and handling, but attractive to thieves and high running costs
Long-term tests
16 May 2006
Toyota Aygo 1.0+ five-door

Toyota Aygo 1.0+ five-door

Slick gearbox, funky design and great fun to drive with impressive fuel economy
Long-term tests
9 May 2006