UK’s top 10 best-maintained used cars revealed

The Maintenance Index

Car servicing specialist Kwik Fit has created a Maintenance Index, tracking the UK-based cars and SUVs that are fitted with the most new parts.

Noting which cars are booked in for servicing most often, Kwik Fit suggests that these cars, with their higher levels of maintenance, should make for a better used purchase.

Naturally, it may also suggest that these particular cars and SUVs need parts replaced more frequently. But at least used examples should be up to date with repairs…

Maintenance Index Methodology

To create the Maintenance Index, Kwik Fit surveyed vehicles that visited its service centres during the first six months of 2024. Replacement brakes, batteries, exhausts, steering components, shock absorbers, wheels and windscreens were all included for analysis.

The amount of parts replaced for each vehicle was then compared to the number of that car model registered in each area.

This meant Kwik Fit could identify the cars fitted with the most new parts in each locale, creating the index from this data.

Kwik Fit’s top 10, presented here in reverse order, is based on which cars ranked the highest in areas across the UK.

=10th. Peugeot 2008

The Kwik Fit Maintenance Index begins with four cars that are tied for 10th place. Each was the most-maintained model in four of the areas analysed.

Scoring the highest in a diverse range of areas is the Peugeot 2008. The compact crossover was the best maintained vehicle from Dumfries and Galloway to North Lincolnshire.

The first of two Peugeots in the top 10, the French marque was the third most maintained overall.

=10th. Kia Picanto

Now into its third generation, the Kia Picanto has a reputation for being a dependable city car. Kia’s class-leading seven-year warranty has furthered the impression of the Picanto being a small car to rely on.

In the Kwik Fit Maintenance Index, the Picanto was the top car in Aberdeenshire and East Ayrshire in Scotland, along with North East Lincolnshire and Haringey in London. Kia as a brand was placed sixth overall.

=10th. Honda Jazz

Honda’s unique take on the supermini, the Jazz has emerged as a firm favourite for those who want practicality and dependability.

East Dunbartonshire, Herefordshire and Caerphilly were among the areas that put the Honda Jazz at the top of their respective lists for being well maintained.

=10th. Citroen DS3

Produced for 10 years between 2009 and 2019, the DS3 became the first car to be offered by Citroen’s DS premium brand.

The DS3 has developed a reputation for iffy reliability, with issues affecting its Prince petrol engine. It was also subject to a number of recalls: more than 30 in total.

All of this will have helped Citroen be the first-placed brand on the Maintenance Index, being the top marque in 21 areas.

=8th. Vauxhall Mokka

There is a tie for eighth position on the Kwik Fit Maintenance Index, with two cars responsible for heading up five areas each.

The Vauxhall Mokka has become a popular option in the competitive family crossover class. Kwik Fit’s Maintenance Index suggests that, should you purchase one second-hand, you can expect it to have some new parts underneath.

Peterborough, Stoke-on-Trent, Brent, Essex and West Sussex were the areas taking best care of their Vauxhall Mokkas.

=8th. Peugeot 107

The second Peugeot on the Maintenance Index is the diminutive 107, produced in the Czech Republic alongside the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo.

Various studies have shown the 107 to be one of the more reliable city car options, perhaps helped by regular maintenance.

The East Riding of Yorkshire, Medway, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Surrey were the places where the Peugeot 107 scored highest.

=5th. Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is the first of three vehicles taking a joint-fifth place finish in the 2024 Kwik Fit Maintenance Index. Each of the cars was the most maintained in six regions respectively.

With an upmarket image, and fine driving manners, the Mazda CX-5 has become a top choice in the family SUV sector. Factor in Mazda’s reputation for reliability, and it is easy to see why it has a strong following.

Among the areas maintaining the CX-5 more than any other vehicle are Merseyside, County Durham and Oxfordshire.

=5th. Ford Ka

Those in North Lanarkshire, Leicester and Southampton are among those who keep their Ford Kas in top condition, according to the Maintenance Index.

Relatively simple construction will likely have helped the Ka’s reliability. The Ford shares a platform with the second-generation Fiat 500.

As a brand, Ford ranked fifth overall in the Kwik Fit survey.

=5th. Hyundai i10

Rounding-out the shared fifth-place positions is the first Hyundai model to feature in the top 10. The Hyundai i10 is a close relative of the Kia Picanto, which could explain why it has performed so well here.

Even though the i10 has a five-year warranty as standard, owners are clearly happy to take maintenance into their own hands.

In particular, those living in Camden, Hounslow, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth like to keep their examples of the Hyundai in peak condition.

=2nd. Nissan Note

There are a trio of cars tied for second place on the Maintenance Index. Each one came top in seven different regions across the UK.

Sold across two generations in Europe, and built at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland, the Note was a rival for the Honda Jazz. However, its reputation for reliability isn’t so solid, with the car finishing towards the bottom of various dependability surveys.

From Falkirk to Torbay and beyond, Note owners are at least making plenty of effort to keep their Nissan on the road.

=2nd. Citroen C1

The Citroen C1 is the first of two cars from the French marque in second place, which has helped it be the leading brand overall in the survey.

Produced in the same factory as the Peugeot 108, the C1 ranks even higher up the Maintenance Index.

C1 owners from Cambridgeshire, West Yorkshire and Central Bedfordshire are amongst those contributing to this Citroen’s careful level of upkeep.

=2nd. Citroen Berlingo

Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, Cumbria and Tyne and Wear are all the places where the Citroen Berlingo emerged as the best-maintained model.

Being based on a van has helped keep repair costs for the Citroen Berlingo low, perhaps encouraging owners to fit new parts.

Although not the most exciting car on this list, buying a used Berlingo means a high chance of your car being fitted with new parts.

1st. Hyundai i30

Claiming the top spot in the Kwik Fit Maintenance Index is the Hyundai i30.

The Korean brand’s rival for the Volkswagen Golf rival has emerged victorious, being the best maintained model in eight areas across the UK.

Ranking top in areas such as the Highlands of Scotland and Bracknell Forest, the i30 was well represented across the length and breadth of the country.

Hyundai i30

Like other Hyundai models, the i30 is sold with a seven-year warranty as standard. It has also developed a reputation as one of the most reliable family hatchbacks, with only minor problems highlighted by owners.

Those owners are seemingly determined to ensure their Hyundai i30 lives up to expectations, making it the most regularly maintained car in the UK.