Everyone has a different set of priorities when choosing which car to buy. Some prefer speed and performance, while others value comfort above all else. Still, everyone wants to buy a reliable vehicle and won’t end up being a burden rather than a blessing. So how can you know if a car is reliable before you buy and drive it? Well, that’s where the car reliability index comes in.
A car reliability index is a number or rating that represents how dependable a car is after assessing different aspects. It accounts for the reliability of the many different parts and systems of a vehicle. With this number, car buyers can easily compare different makes and models and choose what’s best for them.
In this article, we’re going to explore the concept of the car reliability index. Hopefully, you can make much smarter decisions the next time you’re in the market for a new car.
Let’s get started.
What Does the Reliability Index in Vehicles Mean?
A car reliability index is basically a way of rating different car brands and models to determine how reliable they are in the long run. These indexes are based on information gathered through surveys and other means, all of which evaluate the kinds of problems that each car experiences and how often they happen.
Some indexes even take into account the cost of repairs for those vehicles in contrast to how often they need repairs in the first place.
In many cases, you'll find car reliability indexes assigned to car brands rather than individual models.
Where Do Car Reliability Indexes Come From?
Firstly, it’s essential to understand that there isn’t just a single system for determining car reliability ratings for the whole world. Instead, many car reliability indexes are maintained by independent organisations such as non-profit consumer institutions and even automotive organisations. Even some car blogs have their own car reliability index systems!
Those organisations take it upon themselves to gather and maintain car reliability indexes to keep the general public informed about which cars are more reliable than others.
One such established international organisation is Consumer Reports. Although it’s an American organisation, it does evaluate the reliability of plenty of international car brands that are also available in Australia.
What Affects a Car’s Reliability Score?
There is a long list of factors that can affect a car reliability score, and they can differ depending on which organisation’s reliability index you’re looking at. After all, the purpose of any car reliability score or index is to consider all aspects of the vehicle to produce a score that the consumer easily understands.
Using Consumer Reports’ car reliability index as an example once more, we can see that their scores are based on areas like:
- Major and minor engine issues
- Fuel systems and emissions
- Brakes
- Suspensions and steering
- Body integrity
- And many more
The final car reliability score for a vehicle will depend on any problems identified in those areas based on the organisation’s research or feedback it collects through its surveys.
Where to Find Car Reliability Index Scores in Australia
For the most part, car reliability index scores are helpful no matter where they’re from. Even in Australia, many people can evaluate their potential future car by checking Consumer Reports’ or even JD Power’s car reliability reports.
Still, every country should have its own leading car reliability index source that locals can rely on before they decide to buy a vehicle.
Whenever you read about car reliability in the news or on blogs, there are a few familiar sources that everyone references.
For instance, Canstar Blue and Roy Morgan (as quoted in our previous article here) often release reports and lists telling you which car brands are more reliable than others.
Which Car Brands Have High Reliability Scores?
No matter where you look to find a car reliability rating, the goal is the same: to identify which car brands and models are found to be the most reliable.
According to Canstar Blue, which surveyed some 2,500 Aussies, the top 5 most reliable car brands according to Australians are:
1. Suzuki, Subaru, Mazda & Hyundai (all Japanese except for Hyundai, which is Korean. Canstar Blue bunched all four brands together at the top of the list)
2. Mercedes (Germany)
3. Kia (Korea)
4. Mitsubishi (Japan)
5. Toyota (Japan)
A quick look from this list shows that Asian car makers in Australia live up to their reputation of producing reliable vehicles. On the luxury side of things, Mercedes also does the same, representing German car companies.
Discover More from CarpartAU!
To discover more about car reliability ratings in Australia and beyond, visit the blog at Carpart.com.au. It’s where you learn a lot about all the different car brands available in the country, including new releases! It’s the best place for finding auto parts online too!
By Ray Hasbollah