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 £2,417 off RRP*Used from £7,195
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £3,517 off RRP*Used from £10,333
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,213 off RRP*Used from £10,995
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,636 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long-term test: Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R - Civic and Golf

Long-term test: Honda Civic Type R

Final report: Type R gets a standing ovation as it bows out of the UK on a high
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Long-term test: Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five
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Long-term test: Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five

Fourth fleetwatch: recent ice-cold temperatures have had a dire effect on the Renault’s range
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor
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Long-term test: Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor

First report: At the risk of starting an argument with our testers, who prefer a different edition, the editor welcomes long-range SUV to our fleet
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Long-term test: Audi A5 Avant TDI quattro S Line
Audi A5 Avant - front 3/4

Long-term test: Audi A5 Avant TDI quattro S Line

First report: after enjoying an A3, our VP takes a step up Audi’s range
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Long-term test: BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport
BMW X3 long-termer - header

Long-term test: BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport

Second fleetwatch: BMW’s PHEV X3 may weigh over two tonnes, but utilising the BOOST feature makes overtakes a lot easier
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Abarth 600e Scorpionissima long-term test: Italian EV’s ride stings on unforgiving roads
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First fleetwatch: a short break from the Abarth highlights just how stiff its suspension really is
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Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7
BYD Sealion 7 - header

Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7

First report: Will the large SUV buck the trend and demonstrate that Chinese cars come with a soul?
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Long-term test: Mazda CX-80 Homura Plus
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Long-term test: Mazda CX-80 Homura Plus

First report: with a shiny new long cable at the ready, we’re charging into life with the seven-seat CX-80 plug-in hybrid
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Long-term test: Volkswagen Golf R
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Long-term test: Volkswagen Golf R

Second fleetwatch: We bump into one of our former long-term test cars in the Sainsbury’s carpark
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Skoda Elroq vRS
Skoda Elroq vRS - side header

Long-term test: Skoda Elroq vRS

Third report: pace and practicality perfectly combined, our man reckons
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Long-term test: MINI John Cooper Works
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Long-term test: MINI John Cooper Works

Second report: funky hatch is - mostly - helping our man recapture his youth
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Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test
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Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test

Second fleetwatch: without a home wallbox, we’re thankful at just how far the public charging network has come
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Volvo EX30 Extended Range RWD Plus long-term test: EV’s space is starting to shine
Volvo EX30 Extended Range RWD - front outside house

Volvo EX30 Extended Range RWD Plus long-term test: EV’s space is starting to shine

Second report: EV passes its practicality test with flying colours
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Long-term test: Cupra Terramar V2
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Long-term test: Cupra Terramar V2

First fleetwatch: Spanish SUV’s heated seats, steering wheel and climate control make light work of banishing the winter chill
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Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: size matters when it comes to electric MPVs
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Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: size matters when it comes to electric MPVs

Final report: Huge EV has cruised off into the sunset leaving a big, practical hole that will be hard to fill
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Long-term test: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI
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Long-term test: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI

Third fleetwatch: whether it’s Yorkshire’s difficult roads or long motorway commutes, Audi’s premium hatch has handled everything we’ve thrown at it
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Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious and stylish but far from flawless
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Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious and stylish but far from flawless

Final report: our photographer has unique needs that the 5008 caters for superbly
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Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: small SUV is playful but polished
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Long-term test: Polestar 4 Dual Motor
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Long-term test: Polestar 4 Dual Motor

Final report: sleek Swedish SUV leaves our fleet having impressed our man with its huge breadth of talent
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Long-term test: Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS
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Long-term test: Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS

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Long-term test: Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid
Dacia Duster LT - front 3/4

Long-term test: Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid

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Long-term test: Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography
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