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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Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

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Nissan Juke

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Volkswagen Tiguan

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Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

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More on Long-term tests

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
Rear view of Subaru Forester

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
14 Feb 2006
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
Side view of Mazda 3 Sport

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
Hazard triangle

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
29 Nov 2005
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
14 Nov 2005
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
14 Nov 2005
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i
Front view of Toyota Corolla Verso

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i

I don't know who was more looking forward to getting away; me or our long-term Corolla Verso. Since arriving in February, the Toyota has dealt admirab…
Long-term tests
1 Nov 2005
MINI Cooper S Convertible

MINI Cooper S Convertible

Does size matter? Will an extra inch make all the difference? Well, I can tell you that bigger isn't always better - when it comes to alloy wheels at …
Long-term tests
31 Oct 2005
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Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec
Ford Focus bonnet

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec

Ever experienced deja vu? We have, with our Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec has suffered a recurring problem.
Long-term tests
25 Oct 2005
Volkswagen Golf GTI
VW Golf GTi in car park

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Oh dear, oh dear, what have I done? As Auto Express's road test editor, one of the biggest pleasures of my job is handing out the keys for the long te…
Long-term tests
18 Oct 2005
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
Land Rover Discovery pulling boat

Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE

Spending most of its life in and around city streets, our Discovery has had a relatively easy life for the past few months.
Long-term tests
18 Oct 2005
BMW 120d SE
Front view BMW 120d SE

BMW 120d SE

With BMW launching the new range-topping 130i six-cylinder petrol model in Munich, I jumped at the chance to drive our long-term diesel back to the Ba…
Long-term tests
11 Oct 2005
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Side view of Honda Accord Tourer

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

When you get to my time of life, you don't tend to get as excited about birthdays as you do when you're a kid. But with my Honda Accord notching up mo…
Long-term tests
4 Oct 2005
Hyundai Sonata 2.4 CDX
Front view of Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata 2.4 CDX

One of my favourite TV programmes is Channel 4's Faking It. In this, an ordinary member of the public - who has no particular talent in a chosen field…
Long-term tests
4 Oct 2005
Mazda 3 2.0 Sport
Side view of Mazda 3

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport

Whoever coined the phrase "less is more" obviously struck a chord at Mazda. A decade ago, the company was aiming high in the numbers game with its 323…
Long-term tests
28 Sep 2005
Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto
Side view of Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

Today's city-dwelling 4x4 drivers have come in for a massive amount of criticism over their motoring habits. "What is the point of four-wheel drive, w…
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2005
VW Golf 2.0 TDi GT DSG
Side view of Volkswagen Golf

VW Golf 2.0 TDi GT DSG

Never has the saying "you don't miss something until it's gone" proven more true than on the Adams' holiday to Barcelona, Spain. The Golf has not one,…
Long-term tests
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Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX in workshop

Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ-320

There has been something rumbling deep in the belly of the Auto Express underground car park over the past few weeks... and it's the unmistakable soun…
Long-term tests
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Mitsubishi Colt
Mitsubishi Colt in field

Mitsubishi Colt

When I lived in London, the car I drove was constantly under attack. Whether it was thieves, vandals, bad drivers or traffic wardens, there was always…
Long-term tests
6 Sep 2005