The most reliable MPVs
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 MPVs with solid evidence are included: at least three sources and five documented faults, each backed by its sources.
Of the 47 MPVs with solid evidence, the one with the highest score is the Toyota Previa XR30 (7.1/10), followed by the Renault Espace VI (6.9) and the Nissan Note I (6.9). The one with the lowest score is the Mercedes-Benz Clase V W447 (3.7/10), mainly because of timing chain stretch and tensioner failure.
- Rank 1Toyota Previa XR30
MPV · 2000–2006
High severityCylinder head bolt threads in the 2AZ-FE block(2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i engine)
7.1 out of 10Engine 6.8
Rest of car 7.4 - Rank 2Renault Espace VI
MPV · 2023–today
High severityMulti-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)(E-Tech Híbrido engine)
6.9 out of 10Engine 6.8
Rest of car 7.0 - Rank 3Nissan Note I
MPV · 2006–2012
Critical severityRisk of airbag rupture or abnormal deployment(security)
6.9 out of 10Engine 8.1
Rest of car 5.7 - Rank 4Dacia Jogger
MPV · 2021–today
Medium severityMismatch between fuel injection and the manual gearbox (EEB3 campaign)(gearbox and clutch)
6.8 out of 10Engine 6.9
Rest of car 6.8 - Rank 56.8 out of 10
Engine 7.1
Rest of car 6.5 - Rank 6Volkswagen Multivan T7
MPV · 2021–today
Critical severityCurtain airbag clips and roof wiring harness poorly fitted(security)
6.7 out of 10Engine 7.8
Rest of car 5.7 - Rank 7Kia Carens IV
MPV · 2013–2019
High severityInjectors that lose calibration with mileage(1.7 CRDi engine)
6.6 out of 10Engine 6.2
Rest of car 7.0 - Rank 8Fiat 500L
MPV · 2012–2022
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(1.3 Multijet engine)
6.5 out of 10Engine 4.7
Rest of car 8.4 - Rank 9BMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45
MPV · 2014–2021
Critical severityEGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire(BMW B47 engine)
6.5 out of 10Engine 6.3
Rest of car 6.8 - Rank 10Kia Carens II
MPV · 2002–2006
Critical severityABS control unit programming fault: reduced braking below 40 km/h(brakes)
6.5 out of 10Engine 6.8
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 11Mercedes-Benz Clase B W245
MPV · 2005–2011
Critical severityCostly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox(2.0 CDI (OM640) engine)
6.4 out of 10Engine 6.4
Rest of car 6.4 - Rank 12Lancia Musa
MPV · 2004–2012
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(1.3 Multijet engine)
6.3 out of 10Engine 3.6
Rest of car 9.1 - Rank 13Honda FR-V
MPV · 2004–2009
Critical severityBrake servo with a manufacturing defect that reduces or cancels braking assistance(brakes)
6.3 out of 10Engine 7.2
Rest of car 5.4 - Rank 146.2 out of 10
Engine 6.8
Rest of car 5.7 - Rank 15Mazda 5 I
MPV · 2005–2010
High severityOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations(MZR-CD engine)
6.0 out of 10Engine 5.9
Rest of car 6.1 - Rank 16Renault Modus
MPV · 2004–2012
Critical severityWear and seizure of the big-end bearings(1.5 dCi engine)
5.9 out of 10Engine 5.0
Rest of car 6.8 - Rank 175.9 out of 10
Engine 6.2
Rest of car 5.7 - Rank 18BMW Serie 2 Active Tourer U06
MPV · 2022–today
Critical severityIntegrated braking system (IBS) failure: loss of hydraulic assistance(brakes)
5.9 out of 10Engine 6.9
Rest of car 5.0 - Rank 19Ford C-Max I
MPV · 2003–2010
High severityTurbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)(1.6 HDi engine)
5.8 out of 10Engine 5.5
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 20Toyota Verso
MPV · 2009–2018
Critical severityWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D(2.0/2.2 D-4D engine)
5.8 out of 10Engine 5.6
Rest of car 6.1 - Rank 21Opel Zafira B
MPV · 2005–2014
Critical severityFire risk from the heater fan resistor(climate control)
5.8 out of 10Engine 6.4
Rest of car 5.2 - Rank 22Renault Espace V
MPV · 2015–2023
High severityPremature turbocharger failure or breakage(1.6 dCi engine)
5.7 out of 10Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 23Opel Meriva B
MPV · 2010–2017
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(1.3 Multijet engine)
5.7 out of 10Engine 5.3
Rest of car 6.1 - Rank 24Opel Zafira Tourer C
MPV · 2011–2019
Critical severityAirbag recalls due to propellant degradation(security)
5.7 out of 10Engine 6.0
Rest of car 5.4 - Rank 25Opel Meriva A
MPV · 2003–2010
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and breakage(1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec engine)
5.6 out of 10Engine 5.2
Rest of car 6.1 - Rank 26Citroën Xsara Picasso
MPV · 1999–2010
High severityPremature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch on diesel versions (especially the 1.6 HDi)(gearbox and clutch)
5.6 out of 10Engine 6.0
Rest of car 5.2 - Rank 27Renault Scénic III
MPV · 2009–2016
Critical severityWear and seizure of the big-end bearings(1.5 dCi engine)
5.4 out of 10Engine 4.7
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 28Ford S-Max II
MPV · 2015–2023
High severity2018-2019 recalls for clutch failures and Powershift automatic gearbox wear(gearbox and clutch)
5.4 out of 10Engine 5.6
Rest of car 5.2 - Rank 29Dacia Lodgy
MPV · 2012–2022
Critical severityRecall for debris in the brake hydraulic unit (ABS/ESP)(brakes)
5.4 out of 10Engine 5.7
Rest of car 5.2 - Rank 30Mercedes-Benz Clase B W246
MPV · 2011–2018
Critical severityFaulty steering column wiring: risk of unintended airbag deployment(security)
5.4 out of 10Engine 5.8
Rest of car 5.0 - Rank 31Volkswagen Touran II
MPV · 2015–today
Critical severityCorrosion of the bolt that secures the steering rack(steering)
5.4 out of 10Engine 7.1
Rest of car 3.7 - Rank 32Ford S-Max I
MPV · 2006–2014
Critical severityCracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk(1.6 EcoBoost engine)
5.3 out of 10Engine 5.2
Rest of car 5.4 - Rank 33Fiat Freemont
MPV · 2011–2015
High severitySaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations(1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II engine)
5.2 out of 10Engine 4.8
Rest of car 5.7 - Rank 345.1 out of 10
Engine 4.1
Rest of car 6.1 - Rank 35Citroën C4 Picasso II
MPV · 2013–2022
Critical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)
5.0 out of 10Engine 3.8
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 36Toyota Verso-S
MPV · 2010–2017
Critical severityExcessive oil consumption from piston wear(1.33 Dual VVT-i engine)
5.0 out of 10Engine 4.9
Rest of car 5.2 - Rank 37Volkswagen ID. Buzz
MPV · 2022–today
Critical severityFire risk from faulty modules in the high-voltage battery(electrical)
5.0 out of 10Rest of car 5.0
- Rank 38Renault Scénic II
MPV · 2003–2009
Critical severitySeizure and wear of the big-end bearings(1.9 dCi engine)
4.8 out of 10Engine 4.2
Rest of car 5.5 - Rank 39Mercedes-Benz Clase R W251
MPV · 2005–2013
Critical severityBroken swirl flaps in the intake manifold(OM642 engine)
4.8 out of 10Engine 4.6
Rest of car 5.0 - Rank 40Citroën C3 Picasso
MPV · 2009–2017
Critical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)
4.4 out of 10Engine 2.7
Rest of car 6.2 - Rank 41Volkswagen Sharan II
MPV · 2010–2022
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)(1.2 and 1.4 TSI engine)
4.4 out of 10Engine 3.9
Rest of car 5.0 - Rank 42Seat Alhambra II
MPV · 2010–2020
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)(1.2 and 1.4 TSI engine)
4.4 out of 10Engine 3.8
Rest of car 5.0 - Rank 43Ford C-Max II
MPV · 2010–2019
High severityClutch pressure plate breakage in the PowerShift automatic gearbox(gearbox and clutch)
4.1 out of 10Engine 5.3
Rest of car 3.0 - Rank 44Seat Altea
MPV · 2004–2015
Critical severityTakata recall: the driver's airbag may fragment in a crash(security)
4.0 out of 10Engine 4.5
Rest of car 3.6 - Rank 45Volkswagen Touran I
MPV · 2003–2015
High severityNot very robust 5-speed manual gearbox(gearbox and clutch)
3.9 out of 10Engine 4.5
Rest of car 3.4 - Rank 46Ford B-Max
MPV · 2012–2017
High severityClutch wear and gearbox faults, including the Powershift automatic(gearbox and clutch)
3.8 out of 10Engine 4.9
Rest of car 2.8 - Rank 47Mercedes-Benz Clase V W447
MPV · 2014–today
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(OM651 engine)
3.7 out of 10Engine 2.4
Rest of car 5.0
The least reliable MPVs
The three with the lowest scores and the fault that weighs most in each.
- Mercedes-Benz Clase V W447 · 3.7/10Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (OM651 engine)
- Ford B-Max · 3.8/10Clutch wear and gearbox faults, including the Powershift automatic (gearbox and clutch)
- Volkswagen Touran I · 3.9/10Not very robust 5-speed manual gearbox (gearbox and clutch)
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