Hyundai Hits The Top Three For Reliability

Hyundai has stormed into the top three in Warranty Direct’s annual reliability index – jumping three places and leapfrogging some of the best regarded European makes.

Hyundai went from sixth to third, ahead of Ford in fourth, and leaving such names as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Toyota trailing in its wake.

Warranty Direct's annual Reliability Index (www.reliabilityindex.co.uk ), which looks at 30,000 vehicles from 27 leading manufacturers, combines the number of faults a car suffers alongside the actual cost of repairing them.

With an average of 46,500 miles, the majority of the vehicles under the spotlight were entering into the fourth and fifth years of ownership. The average repair bill stood at £321.82.

Hyundai was one of only four manufacturers to improve their standing in the survey and along with Volkswagen (which was still only 10th in the survey) made the greatest leap upwards.

Figures comparing the number of repair claims against warranty policies issued, saw Hyundai in sixth place at 22.3 per cent, only 4.4 per cent behind table toppers Mazda, but a massive 23.9 per cent ahead of last placed Land Rover.

The survey stated: "The Far East remains number one for reliability, with eight of the top ten manufacturers analysed by independent automotive warranty firm, Warranty Direct, from either Japan or Korea."

Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct added: "The Far East is still home to the most reliable and cost effective, manufacturers in the world."

Jim Campbell, Hyundai Marketing Director, said: "We are delighted at our standing in this year’s Warranty Direct survey, which proves that we are not only producing cars that are highly desirable and reliable, but won’t hurt customers’ bank balances either."

Hyundai is still the only manufacturer to offer a five year unlimited mileage fully transferable warranty across its whole range.