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

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,761 off RRP*Used from £15,500
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £22,197Avg. savings £3,092 off RRP*Used from £21,897
Toyota Yaris Cross
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £11,730Avg. savings £4,275 off RRP*Used from £11,195
* 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

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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
13 Sep 2005
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
6 Sep 2005
Mercedes CLK Coupe
Side view of Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe

Mercedes CLK Coupe

The whole world may be going crazy for the latest Harry Potter book, but not me. My current bedtime reading is an even lengthier affair than JK Rowlin…
Long-term tests
9 Aug 2005
Smart ForFour

Smart ForFour

Down tools, the Smart is back on the road! Our ForFour has endured a turbulent couple of months... and only now is it up to full strength
Long-term tests
26 Jul 2005