Long-term tests

Long-term tests

Every Auto Express long-term test, ever...

The Auto Express long-term test is a rigorous examination of a car’s design, engineering and practicality in real world conditions - often accompanied by some slightly silly photos of our experts with their cars. 

Our team lives with each car for a period of around six months, subjecting each to the trials and tribulations of our own daily routines. School runs, shopping trips, commutes, days out, family holidays, visits to the rubbish dump; we live with these cars so you can understand what it would be like to. 

And, of course, we’re car journalists so we regularly go above and beyond the typical use patterns for our long-term test cars. Track and off-road driving, in suitable models, gives a further insight into their qualities. So do the big mileages we cover on roads of all types right around the UK and across Europe, not to mention the photographic and video shoots.  

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, the Auto Express long-term test reports provide an invaluable insight into what your own life might be like as the owner. In combination with our in-depth reviews and group tests, these pages form the most comprehensive evaluation of new cars you’ll find anywhere. 

Over thousands of miles of testing, our experts really get under the skin of all the most popular models on the market and if you have specific questions about the cars we’re running now or have run in the past, we’re here to help… 

What’s on fleet?

Cars we’re reporting on now plus recent long-term test fleet arrivals and departures 

Scroll down for all our long-term test reports...

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £14,900
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,699
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,463 off RRP*
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,560 off RRP*Used from £14,993
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Long-term tests

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term - header outside of a dealership

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress

Third report: Onboard tech elevates the LBX, although some features falter
Long-term tests
21 May 2025
Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: compact SUV dodges roadworks with ease
Mazda CX-30 - front cornering

Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: compact SUV dodges roadworks with ease

Third fleetwatch: our Mazda CX-30 makes navigating local towns child’s play
Long-term tests
20 May 2025
KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: Budget SUV’s boot size punches well above its weight
KGM Actyon K50 long-term test - header

KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: Budget SUV’s boot size punches well above its weight

Fleetwatch: our KGM Actyon impresses by carrying more than you could in a BMW X5
Long-term tests
20 May 2025
BMW 530e Touring long-term test: performance to awaken the senses
BMW 530e Touring long-term test - side profile with Richard Ingram

BMW 530e Touring long-term test: performance to awaken the senses

Second report: Our BMW’s espresso trim and slick tech are proving to be a punchy brew
Long-term tests
19 May 2025
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: hot exec proves its more than just an engine
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - front static

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: hot exec proves its more than just an engine

Second fleetwatch: our Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is proving to be more spacious than we imagined
Long-term tests
19 May 2025
Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher
Peugeot E-3008 long-termer fleetwatch

Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher

Second fleetwatch: fresh from a recall, our Peugeot E-3008 GT has been racking up the miles
Long-term tests
19 May 2025
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: understated EV is great for long trips
Volvo EC40 connected to MFG charging station

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: understated EV is great for long trips

Second report: our Swedish coupé-SUV excelled on a holiday to Yorkshire
Long-term tests
16 May 2025
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: impressive range simplifies EV life
Volkswagen ID.7 long-term test - front cornering

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: impressive range simplifies EV life

Second fleetwatch: the VW ID.7 Tourer's eye-catching range figures mean long trips can be performed without charging en-route
Long-term tests
15 May 2025
MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain
Auto Express content editor Ryan Birch sitting on the MG3's bonnet while holding a pound note and a gerry can

MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain

Final report: we say farewell to a small car that generated big smiles
Long-term tests
14 May 2025
Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term test: family trip provides stern test
Range Rover Sport - front tracking

Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term test: family trip provides stern test

Fleetwatch: a recent trip to France allowed the Range Rover Sport to fully show off its credentials
Long-term tests
14 May 2025
Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: no home charging, no problem
Cupra Tavascan long termer second report - header

Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: no home charging, no problem

Second report: stylish SUV is integrating itself into our lives quickly and easily, and that’s despite the absence of home charging
Long-term tests
13 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: will an EV work with no home charger?
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS - header

Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: will an EV work with no home charger?

First report: the Vauxhall Grandland Electric is set for a tough test over the next six months on our fleet
Long-term tests
11 May 2025
Renault Scenic Iconic Long Range long-term test: sensible SUV beats back the competition
Renault Scenic - front cornering

Renault Scenic Iconic Long Range long-term test: sensible SUV beats back the competition

Final report: we say au revoir to one of our favourite family EVs
Long-term tests
2 May 2025
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: small SUV shows off its space
Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test - header

Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: small SUV shows off its space

Our Dacia Duster showcased its practicality on a trip to a football match
Long-term tests
1 May 2025
Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: iKamper tent showcases 4x4's versatility
Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster long-term test - header image

Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: iKamper tent showcases 4x4's versatility

Second fleetwatch: our Ineos Grenadier has returned from a service, and now has some useful additions
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2025
Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: small SUV thrives in the summer sun
Auto Express web producer Pete Baiden standing next to the Honda e:Ny1

Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: small SUV thrives in the summer sun

Final report: recent sunnier, warmer weather has suddenly given our electric Honda a new lease of life
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2025
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: hype, heritage and a hint of madness
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test - header

Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: hype, heritage and a hint of madness

Does the retro-inspired electric supermini live up to the massive hype?
Long-term tests
21 Apr 2025
Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: crisis averted with a garage detour
Skoda Superb SE L 2.0 TDI 150PS - front

Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: crisis averted with a garage detour

Second fleetwatch: mileage countdown cured without main dealer prices
Long-term tests
8 Apr 2025
Suzuki Swift Hybrid Motion long-term test: cheap fuel bills are overshadowed by high insurance
Suzuki Swift Hybrid Motion long term-test - header

Suzuki Swift Hybrid Motion long-term test: cheap fuel bills are overshadowed by high insurance

Third report: Hybrid supermini has the Monopoly when it comes to fuel economy
Long-term tests
25 Mar 2025
Genesis GV60 Premium long-term test: a great EV, if you can afford it
Auto Express chief sub-editor Andy Pringle crouching next to the Genesis GV60 while parked outside a Waitrose store

Genesis GV60 Premium long-term test: a great EV, if you can afford it

Final report: did our upmarket EV impress us more than its ‘lesser’ siblings?
Long-term tests
12 Mar 2025
Used Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor long-term test: popular EV meets its replacement
Auto Express senior staff writer Jordan Katsianis standing between two Tesla Model 3s

Used Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor long-term test: popular EV meets its replacement

Final report: we compare used with new as we say goodbye to our EV
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2025
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Style long-term test: a likeable but imperfect MPV
Auto Express editor Paul Barker cleaning the Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Style long-term test: a likeable but imperfect MPV

Final report: there was much to like about the big EV, despite some glaring flaws
Long-term tests
21 Feb 2025
MINI Countryman SE ALL4 JCW long-term test: groovy SUV is tarnished by troublesome tech
MINI Countryman JCW - front action

MINI Countryman SE ALL4 JCW long-term test: groovy SUV is tarnished by troublesome tech

Final report: we’ll miss our small electric SUV, despite the occasional sat-nav wobbles
Long-term tests
22 Jan 2025
OSZAR »