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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

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Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £7,495
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,919 off RRP*Used from £13,300
* 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 vRS

Skoda Octavia vRS

I might as well tear up my licence now. After 15 years of virtually blemish-free driving, my pristine permit is under threat as never before.
Long-term tests
9 May 2006
MINI Cooper S Convertible

MINI Cooper S Convertible

Getting your car serviced can be stressful - especially when it comes to paying the bill. So, why not treat yourself to some tlc and relax? That's exa…
Long-term tests
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Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

Petrol or diesel? It's the dilemma many motorists have been facing, as fuel costs spiral out of control. And with sales of oil-burners rising by 40 pe…
Long-term tests
18 Apr 2006
Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-SPEC

Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-SPEC

It's smaller than a five pence piece, but it's worth its weight in gold. Actually, I don't suppose it makes much of an impression on the scales, but y…
Long-term tests
18 Apr 2006
Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design

Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design

How many kids does it take to fill a Zafira? In the case of the Gibson household one - my daughter, Olivia - is plenty. But that doesn't mean the othe…
Long-term tests
11 Apr 2006
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS
Front view of Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI XS

The Kia Sportage has had two months to prove itself, but is it turning out to be a sporting hero?
Long-term tests
4 Apr 2006
Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport
Side view of Honda FR-V

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

The Honda FR-V joined our fleet just weeks ago and is already winning fans. Read on to find out why...
Long-term tests
4 Apr 2006
BMW 120d SE
Front view of BMW 120d SE

BMW 120d SE

We're now 10 months into our year with the BMW 1-Series, what we want to know is how's it shaping up?
Long-term tests
28 Mar 2006
Hyundai Getz 1.5 CRTD
Side view of Hyundai Getz

Hyundai Getz 1.5 CRTD

We've traded in Hyundai's Sonata for its new-look Getz, so how does our latest long-termer compare?
Long-term tests
28 Mar 2006
Mazda MX-5 2.0i
Front view of Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

It promises masses of summer fun, but how's the little Mazda MX-5 been coping in the cold?
Long-term tests
14 Mar 2006
Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE
Front view of Audi A4 Avant

Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro SE

We've swapped the Audi A6's keys for the A4 Avant's. Blind madness or a wise move? Read on to find out...
Long-term tests
14 Mar 2006
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
Front view of Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE

It's a big car with a big reputation, but has the Land Rover Discovery made a big impression with us over the last year?
Long-term tests
7 Mar 2006
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Volkswagen Golf GTI
Rear view of VW Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Is the legendary Volkswagen Golf GTI meeting our high expectations or, after six months, is it just too early to tell?
Long-term tests
7 Mar 2006
Lexus IS250 SE-L
Picture frame around Lexus IS250

Lexus IS250 SE-L

It look's pretty as a picture according to our man, but does the Lexus IS250 SE-L perform as well on the inside?
Long-term tests
28 Feb 2006
Peugeot 1007 Dolce 2-Tronic
Peugeot 1007 Dolce sliding doors

Peugeot 1007 Dolce 2-Tronic

On paper Peugeot's 1007 sounds gimmicky, will it prove us wrong? Find out in the first report on our new fleet member
Long-term tests
28 Feb 2006
Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto
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Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

We were concerned about the Subaru Forester's economy last time, but has it made up for it through the winter?
Long-term tests
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Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320
Mitusbishi Evo VIII 260 and IX

Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320

Our man's been keeper of the Mitsubishi Evo IX for 7 months now, we find out how much attention he's courted
Long-term tests
14 Feb 2006
Mazda 3 2.0 Sport
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Mazda 3 2.0 Sport

It's been crash, bang, wallop with our Mazda 3 Sport, but how's it performed when it hasn't been in the wars?
Long-term tests
7 Feb 2006
Skoda Fabia vRS
Front view of Skoda Fabia VRS

Skoda Fabia vRS

After 12 months of Skoda motoring it's time to say farewell to the Fabia vRS, but just how much will we miss it?
Long-term tests
31 Jan 2006
Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design
Side view of Vauxhall Zafira 1.9

Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTI Design

Our staff photographer has a long list of requirements, so has the Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 managed to meet them all?
Long-term tests
29 Nov 2005
Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE
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Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE

Twelve months have passed and it's time for the A6 to cruise back to Audi, but has it left a lasting impression?
Long-term tests
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Citroen C2 VTS
Top view of Citroen C2 VTS

Citroen C2 VTS

After walking through the arrivals lounge at the end of a long flight, all you want is something quiet and relaxing to get you home. Similarly, when y…
Long-term tests
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Mercedes CLK
Side view of Mercedes-Benz CLK

Mercedes CLK

In the electronic age, we expect instant gratification. And that doesn't only refer to things like fast food or thrill-a-second computer games. We wan…
Long-term tests
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