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The least reliable cars 2012

In our prveious article, we pointed out the most reliable cars that can be found on Europe's streets in 2012. Now, we take a look at the most unreliable models which may, despite often tempting price-tags, be a quite expensive purchase at second sight.

Based on a study by the German TÜV that has collected data on malfunctions over more than 7 million vehicle-check-ups, we identified the 10 models which stand out for their below-average performance. The TÜV-report joined models in 5 groups from 3, 5, 7, 9 to 11 years, and out of these we have filtered the cars that have persistently scored lowest.

10. Peugeot 407

The Peugeot 407 comes 10th on the list of most unreliable cars in 2012. The large family car figures twice amongst the bottom 10: as 3-year-old it comes on position 119 and as 5-year-old on position 111. The car is on the market only since 2003 and it seems that in particular the more recent versions are problematic.

9. Alfa Romeo 156

The Alfa Romeo 156 is out of production since 2007, but still shows on the list of worst-performing models in 2012. The Italian hits the bottom 10 cars twice, once as 7-year-old on position 95 and as 11-year old on position 68. So, if you consider buying this one second-hand, give it a good thought as it might hold some costly surprises.

8. Ford Ka

The little runabout Ford Ka does not convince with a trustworthy performance. Its performance is particularly bad in the higher age classes and he comes only 78th when 9 years old and 73rd when 11 years old. This hints at reliability being a problem in the first generation variants of the Ka.

7. Dacia Logan

The Dacia Logan comes in on 7th position overall as the model shows a weak performance in the age classes of the 3- and 5-year olds, coming in 127th and 119th position respectively. The Logan is still in its first term, so the Renault/Dacia alliance will have to step up the game for future generations.

6. Volkswagen Sharan

Up next is the family transporter VW Sharan, that must cause some headaches to owners as it hits the bottom 10 three times in total: with 7 years on position 100, with 9 years on position 82 and with 11 years on position 70. The problematic age groups all come from the first generation Sharan that ended in 2010.

5. Ford Galaxy

Another family van that ranks amongst the least reliable cars in 2012 is the Ford Galaxy. It appears three times amonggst the worst 10 models: 99th (7years), 81st (9 years) and 72 (11 years). That points to variants from the 2nd series Galaxy being the most risky purchase option.

4. Renault Laguna

The large familiy car Renault Laguna comes on 4th position overall after making it into the bottom 10 three times. The model comes on 117th position when about 5 years old, 102nd when 7 years and 83rd when 9 years old. Looking at the age groups, Lagunas from the third (current) and the second series must be to blame for this poor record.

3. Fiat Stilo

The Fiat Stilo is only on the market as previously owned car at this point, as production ended in 2007. The model has a rather mixed track record with three classifications in the bottom 10. In the 5-year-group it comes on position 116, with 7 years on spot 104 and with 9 years as 84th.

2. Seat Alhambra

The close relative of the VW Sharan that also figures on this list, the Seat Alhambra comes on second place in the worst performing group. The family van hits position 100 amongst 7-year-olds, 85th with 9 years and 71st with 11 years. This indicates that, as with the Sharan, older versions of the model will require higher maintenance.

1. Renault Espace

The Renault Espace takes to top-spot in the bottom 10 as the model makes the 126th position when just 3 years old, 120th when 5 years old and 103rd when 7 years old. The Renault is aleady in its fifth generation, but the more recent models do not seem to benefit from the technical maturity one might expect.