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

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

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

Vauxhall Corsa

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MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £10,288 off RRP*Used from £10,200
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,560 off RRP*Used from £20,799
* 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 Fabia vRS
Front view of Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia vRS

No two ways about it: the Skoda Fabia vRS is one of the most popular cars on the Auto Express long-term fleet. Everyone who drives it loves the neat h…
Long-term tests
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Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE
Front view of Audi A6

Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE

For convenience, most people get their car serviced at the nearest dealer. But when it was time for our long-term Audi A6's first check, we visited a …
Long-term tests
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Citroen C2 VTS
Citroen C2 VTS boot

Citroen C2 VTS

After weeks of trying, I've finally figured out where the Citroen C2 VTS is most at home. Despite its city car credentials, it's really a B-road speci…
Long-term tests
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Mercedes CLK Coupe
Side view of Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe

Mercedes CLK Coupe

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Long-term tests
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Smart ForFour

Smart ForFour

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Long-term tests
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Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec

According to the Office of National Statistics, the average British driver travels 9,200 miles a year. But our Ford Focus swept past that after less t…
Long-term tests
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Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i

What's my favourite number? That's easy... it's seven. Not only was it emblazoned on my hero Kevin Keegan's shirt, but it was also the number of Mars …
Long-term tests
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Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTI SRi

Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTI SRi

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Long-term tests
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MINI Cooper S Convertible

MINI Cooper S Convertible

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Long-term tests
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Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

It's finally come good! After all the problems I've encountered with the Honda Accord Tourer (including a malfunctioning electric tailgate, scratched …
Long-term tests
5 Jul 2005
BMW 120d SE

BMW 120d SE

It doesn't matter how long I stare at our new BMW 120d, I can't decide whether I love the styling or not
Long-term tests
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Mazda 3 2.0 Sport

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport

Double trouble! That's what we've encountered in recent weeks as the Mazda 3 became the second car on our fleet to require a new rear bumper. As was t…
Long-term tests
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VW Golf 2.0 TDi GT DSG

VW Golf 2.0 TDi GT DSG

There might as well be blue lights fitted to the roof of our long-term Volkswagen Golf. My family was recently plunged into chaos when my wife rupture…
Long-term tests
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Nissan Micra 1.5 DCI SX LT

Nissan Micra 1.5 DCI SX LT

I am starting to feel sorry for my Nissan Micra. If you've read any of the previous long-term reports on the supermini, you'll know that it's been giv…
Long-term tests
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Skoda Fabia vRS

Skoda Fabia vRS

Skoda has a rich rally heritage and Auto Express's road test editor, Oliver Marriage, has sampled it for himself, campaigning a Group A Fabia last yea…
Long-term tests
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Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE

Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE

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Long-term tests
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Peugeot 407 SW HDi SE

Peugeot 407 SW HDi SE

It's amazing the amount of abuse that some cars can put up with. They are subjected to virtually no washing, servicing or TLC, and still they keep chu…
Long-term tests
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Citroen C2 VTS

Citroen C2 VTS

Fun to drive - that's most people's verdict on our long-term Citroen C2 VTS. But not mine. I never thought I'd say this, but I really couldn't give a …
Long-term tests
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Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE

Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro SE

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Long-term tests
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Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVTi

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVTi

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Long-term tests
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Mercedes CLK270 CDI

Mercedes CLK270 CDI

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Long-term tests
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Mitsubishi Colt

Mitsubishi Colt

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Long-term tests
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Smart ForFour

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Long-term tests
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