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

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £10,350
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,161 off RRP*
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,837 off RRP*Used from £11,900
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £2,614 off RRP*Used from £7,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Long-term tests

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: SUV shines on 650-mile adventure
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term - kids jumping

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: SUV shines on 650-mile adventure

Third report: The family SUV has dealt with urban life admirably, but how about hundreds of miles over a weekend?
Long-term tests
5 Sep 2025
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: brief spell in Lotus highlights Geely family ties
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term - Lotus and Polestar

Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: brief spell in Lotus highlights Geely family ties

Second fleetwatch: Geely ties reveal some common ground with Lotus, but our Polestar 4 lacks the Hethel handling finesse
Long-term tests
4 Sep 2025
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: a people’s car for the electric age
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term - Golf GTI and ID.7

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: a people’s car for the electric age

Final report: Our man owns an iconic VW, so how does his EV compare?
Long-term tests
3 Sep 2025
Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious SUV has a few niggles
Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term - header

Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious SUV has a few niggles

First fleetwatch: our 5008 handles daily life well, aside from a few display hiccups
Long-term tests
1 Sep 2025
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: chic supermini comes with its own back-seat driver
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term - front with Alpine

Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: chic supermini comes with its own back-seat driver

Second fleetwatch: Renault’s AI ‘Reno’ can help on the move, but its unprompted interruptions are testing my patience
Long-term tests
28 Aug 2025
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?
Auto Express head of digital content Steve Walker dressed as a ghost while standing in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB

Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?

Second report: our man has been spooked by some ghostly goings-on in this stylish MPV
Long-term tests
27 Aug 2025
BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks
 BMW 530e Touring long-term - header with child's school marks

BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks

Final report: PHEV estate was an unobtrusively great family machine
Long-term tests
22 Aug 2025
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term - header

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end

Third fleetwatch: Volvo’s EV signs off with a 500-mile family holiday
Long-term tests
21 Aug 2025
Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term test: PHEV brings balance after SV thrills
Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term - front end with SV

Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term test: PHEV brings balance after SV thrills

Third report: a few weeks in the V8-powered SV proves that our PHEV model is the sweet spot in the range
Long-term tests
20 Aug 2025
KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: vastly spacious but not without niggles
KGM Actyon K50 long-term - header image

KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: vastly spacious but not without niggles

Third report: our SUV is big on space, but let down by other foibles
Long-term tests
15 Aug 2025
Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: posh EV blossoms in warm weather
Cupra Tavascan long termer second report - header

Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: posh EV blossoms in warm weather

Fifth fleetwatch: range readings climbed to a peak of 380 miles in the summer weather
Long-term tests
14 Aug 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: composed hatch shows its class on difficult roads
Audi A3 long term - front 3/4 on a test track

Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: composed hatch shows its class on difficult roads

Second report: our hatch is a perfect partner for two days of performance driving training in Yorkshire
Long-term tests
13 Aug 2025
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: roomy SUV rises to almost every challenge
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term - header

Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: roomy SUV rises to almost every challenge

Second report: electric family SUV can transport people and even the kitchen sink
Long-term tests
7 Aug 2025
Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: the perfect car to fight badge snobbery
Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term - header

Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: the perfect car to fight badge snobbery

First report: do age-old stigmas still plague award-winning SUVs?
Long-term tests
2 Aug 2025
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: full of soul but hard to justify
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - front static

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: full of soul but hard to justify

Final report: we look back on our time with hot Alfa, another fabulous but flawed car from the brand
Long-term tests
10 Jul 2025
Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun
Mazda CX-30 - front cornering

Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun

Third report: our man is seeing red – but in a very good way
Long-term tests
19 Jun 2025
Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: characterful 4x4 is a guilty pleasure
Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster long-term test - header image

Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: characterful 4x4 is a guilty pleasure

Final report: we pitch up with our 4x4 to put the Ineos’s optional camping accessories to the test
Long-term tests
12 Jun 2025
Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: 21,000 miles of comfort and just the odd squeak
Skoda Superb long-term - header

Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: 21,000 miles of comfort and just the odd squeak

Final report: family hatchback ticks all the boxes despite some minor issues
Long-term tests
28 May 2025
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term - header outside of a dealership

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress

Third report: Onboard tech elevates the LBX, although some features falter
Long-term tests
21 May 2025
Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher
Peugeot E-3008 long-termer fleetwatch

Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher

Second fleetwatch: fresh from a recall, our Peugeot E-3008 GT has been racking up the miles
Long-term tests
19 May 2025
MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain
Auto Express content editor Ryan Birch sitting on the MG3's bonnet while holding a pound note and a gerry can

MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain

Final report: we say farewell to a small car that generated big smiles
Long-term tests
14 May 2025
Renault Scenic Iconic Long Range long-term test: sensible SUV beats back the competition
Renault Scenic - front cornering

Renault Scenic Iconic Long Range long-term test: sensible SUV beats back the competition

Final report: we say au revoir to one of our favourite family EVs
Long-term tests
2 May 2025
Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: small SUV thrives in the summer sun
Auto Express web producer Pete Baiden standing next to the Honda e:Ny1

Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: small SUV thrives in the summer sun

Final report: recent sunnier, warmer weather has suddenly given our electric Honda a new lease of life
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2025