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 £19,805Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £8,999
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,840Avg. savings £5,624 off RRP*Used from £12,124
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,045Avg. savings £8,822 off RRP*Used from £10,795
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,435Avg. savings £5,987 off RRP*Used from £8,995
* 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

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
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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
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Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Side view of Honda Accord Tourer

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

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Long-term tests
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Hyundai Sonata 2.4 CDX
Front view of Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata 2.4 CDX

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Long-term tests
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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
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Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto
Side view of Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester 2.0 XE auto

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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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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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Citroen C2
Citroen C2 VTS boot

Citroen C2

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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Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 VVT-i

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Long-term tests
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MINI Cooper S Convertible

MINI Cooper S Convertible

Driving a MINI Convertible is a treat in more ways than one. Not only is it great fun, but it can get you discounts at trendy restaurants! I got 20 pe…
Long-term tests
13 Jul 2005
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
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BMW 120d SE

BMW 120d SE

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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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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

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Long-term tests
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Citroen C2
x

Citroen C2

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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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