Which are the most reliable compact cars?

The most reliable compact cars

Ranked by the MotorFiable Score of the whole car, out of 10: half comes from its engines and the other half from the rest of the car (gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics…). Only compact cars with solid evidence are included: at least three sources and five documented faults, each backed by its sources.

Of the 98 compact cars with solid evidence, the one with the highest score is the Renault Mégane E-Tech (7.6/10), followed by the Nissan Leaf II (7.5) and the Mazda MX-5 III (7.1). The one with the lowest score is the Peugeot 408 (3.3/10), mainly because of oil-bath timing belt degradation.

Reviewed on 29 October 2026How we work

Rank 1
Renault Mégane E-Tech
Compact · 2022–today
Medium severityAC and DC charging faults on the Mégane E-Tech (on-board charger and connector)(electrical)
7.6 out of 10
Rest of car 7.6
Rank 2
Nissan Leaf II
Compact · 2018–2025
Critical severityCruise control deactivation by the VCM module (campaign, 2017 to 2023 vehicles)(electronics)
7.5 out of 10
Rest of car 7.5
Rank 3
Mazda MX-5 III
Compact · 2005–2015
Critical severityBig-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0(MZR gasolina engine)
7.1 out of 10
Engine 6.6
Rest of car 7.7
Rank 4
Fiat Tipo
Compact · 2015–today
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(1.3 Multijet engine)
7.0 out of 10
Engine 6.5
Rest of car 7.5
Rank 5
MG MG4
Compact · 2022–today
High severityOversensitive driver assistance (sudden braking, lane warning)(security)
7.0 out of 10
Rest of car 7.0
Rank 6
Toyota Corolla IX
Compact · 2002–2007
High severityTurbocharger failure(1.4 D-4D engine)
6.8 out of 10
Engine 6.1
Rest of car 7.5
Rank 7
Toyota Corolla XII
Compact · 2019–today
Critical severityThe car loses drive or stalls because of a hybrid system fail-safe mode fault(1.8 Hybrid engine)
6.8 out of 10
Engine 6.8
Rest of car 6.8
Rank 8
Kia Cerato I
Compact · 2004–2009
High severityWear and loss of performance of the variable-geometry turbo(2.0 CRDi (D4EA) engine)
6.8 out of 10
Engine 6.8
Rest of car 6.8
Rank 9
Mercedes-Benz Clase B W247
Compact · 2018–today
Critical severityRecall for a faulty towbar locking bolt(bodywork)
6.8 out of 10
Engine 8.1
Rest of car 5.5
Rank 10
Škoda Scala
Compact · 2019–today
High severityDefective seat seam that could affect the side airbag (campaign 74D7)(security)
6.7 out of 10
Engine 6.9
Rest of car 6.6
Rank 11
Mercedes-Benz Clase A W177
Compact · 2018–today
Critical severityFront subframe corrosion due to inadequate anti-corrosion protection(suspension)
6.6 out of 10
Engine 8.1
Rest of car 5.2
Rank 12
Honda Civic X
Compact · 2017–2021
Critical severityEngine failure caused by the wet timing belt(1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo engine)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 5.0
Rest of car 8.0
Rank 13
Škoda Octavia I
Compact · 1996–2004
Critical severityBig-end bearing failure(1.9 TDI engine)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 5.5
Rest of car 7.6
Rank 14
Toyota Prius IV
Compact · 2015–2022
Critical severityThe car loses drive or stalls because of a hybrid system fail-safe mode fault(1.8 Hybrid engine)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 5.5
Rest of car 7.5
Rank 15
Mitsubishi Lancer
Compact · 2007–2019
High severityETACS control unit fault: headlights and wipers can stop working(electronics)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 6.9
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 16
Hyundai Elantra I
Compact · 2001–2006
Critical severityCorrosion of the front suspension arms (2012 recall)(suspension)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 6.8
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 17
Cupra León
Compact · 2020–today
Critical severityDefective front seat belt anchorages (2020-2021)(security)
6.5 out of 10
Engine 7.8
Rest of car 5.2
Rank 18
Seat León I
Compact · 1999–2005
Critical severityBig-end bearing failure(1.9 TDI engine)
6.4 out of 10
Engine 5.1
Rest of car 7.8
Rank 19
Hyundai Ioniq
Compact · 2016–2022
High severityTraction battery: risk of short circuit and fire (Ioniq Electric)(electrical)
6.4 out of 10
Rest of car 6.4
Rank 20
Mazda 3 IV
Compact · 2019–today
Critical severitySmart Brake Support can brake the car unintentionally while driving(security)
6.4 out of 10
Engine 6.6
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 21
Lotus Elise S2
Compact · 2001–2011
High severityHead gasket failure(Rover K-Series engine)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 5.4
Rest of car 7.0
Rank 22
Volkswagen Golf IV
Compact · 1997–2003
Critical severityBig-end bearing failure(1.9 TDI engine)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 5.5
Rest of car 6.9
Rank 23
Renault Mégane IV
Compact · 2016–2023
Critical severityExcessive oil consumption and engine failure(1.2 TCe engine)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 6.2
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 24
Opel Astra G
Compact · 1998–2004
High severityVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failure(2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI engine)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 6.2
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 25
Toyota Corolla X
Compact · 2007–2013
Critical severityReplacement passenger airbag inflator fitted in the wrong orientation(security)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 6.4
Rest of car 6.1
Rank 26
Seat Toledo III
Compact · 2004–2009
Critical severityPossible dual-mass flywheel damage caused by the clutch pressure line restrictor(gearbox and clutch)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 6.8
Rest of car 5.7
Rank 27
Honda Civic XI
Compact · 2022–today
Critical severityElectric power steering (EPS) gearbox short of grease: noises and stiff steering(steering)
6.2 out of 10
Engine 7.5
Rest of car 5.0
Rank 28
Volvo V40 II
Compact · 2012–2019
Critical severityAuxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)(D4/D5 engine)
6.1 out of 10
Engine 4.5
Rest of car 7.7
Rank 29
Mazda 3 I
Compact · 2003–2009
High severityTurbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)(1.6 HDi engine)
6.1 out of 10
Engine 4.6
Rest of car 7.6
Rank 30
Toyota Auris II
Compact · 2012–2018
Critical severityExcessive oil consumption from piston wear(1.33 Dual VVT-i engine)
6.1 out of 10
Engine 6.1
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 31
Mazda 3 III
Compact · 2013–2019
High severityOil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations(Skyactiv-D engine)
6.1 out of 10
Engine 6.0
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 32
BMW Serie 1 F40
Compact · 2019–today
Critical severityCampaign for the driver's airbag opening geometry (2020 build)(security)
6.1 out of 10
Engine 6.9
Rest of car 5.4
Rank 33
Mazda 3 II
Compact · 2009–2013
Critical severityTiming chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD(MZR-CD engine)
6.0 out of 10
Engine 4.6
Rest of car 7.5
Rank 34
Mercedes-Benz Clase A W169
Compact · 2004–2012
Critical severityTakata airbags with a faulty driver's airbag gas generator(security)
6.0 out of 10
Engine 6.4
Rest of car 5.7
Rank 35
Opel Astra K
Compact · 2015–2021
Critical severityBrake master cylinder contaminated by clutch debris(brakes)
6.0 out of 10
Engine 6.7
Rest of car 5.4
Rank 36
Honda Civic IX
Compact · 2011–2017
High severityTurbocharger failure(1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC engine)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 5.5
Rest of car 6.4
Rank 37
Volkswagen Golf V
Compact · 2003–2008
Critical severityBig-end bearing failure(1.9 TDI engine)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 5.6
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 38
Ford Focus II
Compact · 2004–2011
High severityTurbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)(1.6 HDi engine)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 5.7
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 39
Toyota GR Supra A90
Compact · 2019–2026
Critical severityLoss of braking assistance from the vacuum pump(brakes)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 6.2
Rest of car 5.7
Rank 40
Škoda Octavia IV
Compact · 2020–today
Medium severityInfotainment and electronics software faults on early units(electronics)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 7.6
Rest of car 4.3
Rank 41
Audi A3 IV
Compact · 2020–today
Critical severityRisk of total loss of braking power (11 cars)(brakes)
5.9 out of 10
Engine 7.6
Rest of car 4.3
Rank 42
Ford Focus I
Compact · 1998–2004
Critical severityBreakage of the timing belt or of the high-pressure pump's belt (running in oil)(1.8 TDCi engine)
5.8 out of 10
Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.4
Rank 43
Alfa Romeo 147
Compact · 2000–2010
High severityIntake manifold flap failure (swirl effect)(1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD engine)
5.8 out of 10
Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.4
Rank 44
Volkswagen Jetta V
Compact · 2005–2010
Critical severityABS/ESP earth connection interrupted by thermal overload(brakes)
5.8 out of 10
Engine 5.9
Rest of car 5.7
Rank 45
Toyota Auris I
Compact · 2006–2012
Critical severityWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D(2.0/2.2 D-4D engine)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 5.0
Rest of car 6.4
Rank 46
Renault Mégane III
Compact · 2008–2016
Critical severityWear and seizure of the big-end bearings(1.5 dCi engine)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 47
Lexus CT
Compact · 2010–2022
Critical severityBrake actuator failure (hard pedal, loss of assistance)(1.8 Hybrid engine)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 48
Citroën C4 I
Compact · 2004–2010
High severityTurbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)(1.6 HDi engine)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 5.3
Rest of car 6.2
Rank 49
Škoda Rapid
Compact · 2012–2019
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)(1.2 and 1.4 TSI engine)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 5.7
Rest of car 5.7
Rank 50
Seat León IV
Compact · 2020–today
Critical severityRisk of short circuit and fire from an incorrectly sized fuse in the Leon e-Hybrid (2020-2022)(security)
5.7 out of 10
Engine 7.7
Rest of car 3.7
Rank 51Renault Mégane II5.6 out of 10
Rank 52Hyundai i30 III5.6 out of 10
Rank 53Volkswagen Golf VIII5.6 out of 10
Rank 54Peugeot 3075.5 out of 10
Rank 55Cupra Born5.5 out of 10
Rank 56Kia XCeed5.5 out of 10
Rank 57Mercedes-Benz Clase A W1765.5 out of 10
Rank 58Honda Civic VIII5.5 out of 10
Rank 59Peugeot 308 I5.4 out of 10
Rank 60Volvo V505.4 out of 10
Rank 61Volvo S40 II5.4 out of 10
Rank 62Fiat Stilo5.4 out of 10
Rank 63Volkswagen ID.35.4 out of 10
Rank 64Nissan Leaf I5.4 out of 10
Rank 65Renault Fluence5.4 out of 10
Rank 66Kia Ceed III5.4 out of 10
Rank 67Opel Astra J5.4 out of 10
Rank 68Opel Astra H5.4 out of 10
Rank 69Audi A3 III5.4 out of 10
Rank 70Kia Ceed II5.3 out of 10
Rank 71Seat León III5.3 out of 10
Rank 72BMW Serie 1 F205.2 out of 10
Rank 73Mercedes-Benz Clase A W1685.2 out of 10
Rank 74Škoda Octavia III5.2 out of 10
Rank 75Ford Focus IV5.1 out of 10
Rank 76Hyundai i30 II5.1 out of 10
Rank 77Volkswagen Golf VII5.1 out of 10
Rank 78Alfa Romeo Giulietta5.0 out of 10
Rank 79Volvo V40 I4.8 out of 10
Rank 80Peugeot 308 II4.8 out of 10
Rank 81Kia Ceed I4.8 out of 10
Rank 82Hyundai i30 I4.8 out of 10
Rank 83Volkswagen Jetta VI4.7 out of 10
Rank 84Citroën C4 II4.6 out of 10
Rank 85BMW Serie 1 E874.6 out of 10
Rank 86Škoda Octavia II4.5 out of 10
Rank 87Seat León II4.5 out of 10
Rank 88Volvo S40 I4.4 out of 10
Rank 89Volkswagen Golf VI4.4 out of 10
Rank 90Audi A3 II4.3 out of 10
Rank 91Seat Toledo IV4.2 out of 10
Rank 92Citroën C4 X4.1 out of 10
Rank 93Ford Focus III4.0 out of 10
Rank 94Citroën C4 Cactus3.7 out of 10
Rank 95Peugeot 308 III3.7 out of 10
Rank 96Opel Astra L3.6 out of 10
Rank 97Citroën C4 III3.5 out of 10
Rank 98Peugeot 4083.3 out of 10

The least reliable compact cars

The three with the lowest scores and the fault that weighs most in each.

Peugeot 408 · 3.3/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)
Citroën C4 III · 3.5/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)
Opel Astra L · 3.6/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)

How it is calculated

The score combines the risk index of its engines and that of the rest of the car, calculated from the most serious documented faults (severity times frequency). Faults that the manufacturer fixes free of charge under a recall carry less weight. A high score does not guarantee that a particular car will not fail: it means we have found fewer serious, frequent documented faults. More recent models have been on the road for fewer years and may have fewer documented faults: preferably compare cars from the same period. Full methodology