— Editorial

Articles

Barometers, practical guides, international comparisons and news on car reliability. A growing selection of our French coverage, translated into English.

A mechanic working on the rear suspension of a car raised on a lift in a repair garage.

Barometers & Studies

Which Are the Most Reliable City Cars? What Official French Inspection Data Shows

A ranking of the most reliable city cars based on official French roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) data — real failure rates, not satisfaction surveys.

12 September 2026 · 5 min read

Volkswagen Golf VIII (2020) viewed from the front three-quarter, parked outdoors.

Barometers & Studies

Is Volkswagen as Reliable as Its German Reputation?

32 Volkswagen models tracked by France's roadworthiness test, from the Golf to the Polo: the full ranking against the brand's reputation for German precision.

9 September 2026 · 5 min read

Renault Clio V viewed from the front three-quarter, parked outdoors.

Barometers & Studies

Is Renault Reliable? What the Official Data Shows

40 Renault models tracked by France's roadworthiness test: the full ranking, from most to least reliable, with recorded manufacturer recalls.

6 September 2026 · 6 min read

Open engine bay of a Volvo XC90 II, grille and Volvo badge visible at the front.

Barometers & Studies

Is Volvo Really as Reliable as Its Reputation?

The Swedish brand is famous for being bulletproof. Here's what France's official roadworthiness test data shows, model by model.

5 September 2026 · 5 min read

A car undergoing a roadworthiness inspection on a test lane, black-and-white archive photograph.

International Comparisons

Can We Really Compare Roadworthiness Test Rates Across Countries?

France, the UK, the Netherlands: three roadworthiness-test systems with different rules. What those differences change in how a comparison should be read, and what remains genuinely comparable.

2 September 2026 · 7 min read

A mechanic inspecting a car in a Dutch garage.

International Comparisons

Which Car Brand Has the Best APK Pass Rate in the Netherlands?

A brand league table for the Dutch roadworthiness test (APK), built from the RDW's official open data — 84 brands, 1,384 models, close to 12 million tests.

31 August 2026 · 5 min read

Two Porsche 911s raised on ramps in a workshop.

International Comparisons

Which Car Brand Has the Best MOT Pass Rate?

A brand league table for the MOT test, built from the DVSA's official open data — 757 model generations tracked, 29 brands, close to 30 million tests.

28 August 2026 · 5 min read

Close-up of an engine's intake manifold and coolant reservoir, bonnet open in a garage.

Barometers & Studies

Which Brands Rack Up the Most Manufacturer Recalls in France?

A raw ranking and a ranking normalised by number of tracked models, based on the 2,377 recalls listed on RappelConso, France's official platform.

27 August 2026 · 5 min read

Roadworthiness inspection of a saloon on a workshop lift, surrounded by other vehicles waiting to be checked.

Barometers & Studies

City Car, Compact or SUV: Which Is Most Reliable in 2025?

A ranking by segment based on official UTAC-OTC roadworthiness data — real retest rates and inspection volumes to back it up, not a satisfaction survey.

25 August 2026 · 6 min read

Wheel arch of a car eaten through by rust down to the bare metal.

Practical Guides

From What Age Does Retest Risk Really Increase?

Official UK and Dutch roadworthiness data show precisely at what age failure risk climbs. Here's the real curve, band by band — not a rule of thumb.

24 August 2026 · 5 min read

Fuel gauge on a car dashboard, red needle against a black background.

Practical Guides

WLTP Fuel Consumption Figures: How to Read Them Before You Buy

Are the fuel consumption figures carmakers publish reliable? What the WLTP test cycle actually measures, and why real-world driving differs.

23 August 2026 · 3 min read

International Comparisons

Car Reliability: Do France, the UK and the Netherlands Agree?

Can the same car be reliable in France and risky in the UK? What cross-referencing three official roadworthiness-test data sources reveals.

22 August 2026 · 6 min read