Compare the best reliable small cars
High quality reliable small cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Compare the most reliable small cars
There’s quite possibly nothing more frustrating than having to deal with an unreliable car.
Classic car fans often say that frequent breakdowns are what give their rusty old rides ‘character’, but nobody actively wants to be standing next to a car that's failed to proceed, especially if it’s their daily driver.
To minimise the chances of this happening, we have considered various reliability-based criteria like MoT pass rates, overall industry reputation, reliability surveys to bring you a list of the best reliable small cars you can buy right now.
1. Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5 review
The original Mazda MX-5 revitalised open-roofed motoring thanks to its combination of back-to-basics driving fun and reliability levels that let you enjoy it every day. The latest model continues to offer the same attributes and while the standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty is pretty standard, the MX-5 is regularly rated as the most reliable roadster on sale. For the full-on roadster experience, make sure to get ours with a manual transmission.
2. Honda Jazz
Honda Jazz review
The Honda Jazz is the small car that thinks it’s a big one. You’ll fit four burly adults inside without a problem, and the smooth and efficient self-charging hybrid petrol engine will manage 63mpg in combined driving. Honda regularly scores highly in reliability surveys, and the Jazz has acquired a reputation for being one of the most dependable cars the brand makes, something reinforced by its excellent MoT pass rates.
3. Toyota Aygo X
Toyota Aygo X review
Toyota has spent decades building a reputation for being one of the most reliable manufacturers around and now offers an innovative warranty which adds a 12-month/10,000-mile extension to the standard three-year warranty after every service up to a total of 10-years/100,000-miles. The great little Toyota Aygo X city car also benefits from this offer so you can cruise around town for up to 10-years knowing that you’re covered should anything go wrong.
4. Kia Ceed
Kia Ceed review
Kia has not only caught up with the market leaders when it comes to the quality of its cars – aptly demonstrated by offerings like the Kia Ceed hatchback - but it has surpassed them with its very generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The Ceed is not only reliable, it's also stylish, easy to drive and well equipped.
5. Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris Hybrid review
Most small cars tend to rely on conventional petrol engines to reduce costs, very few offer a more complex self-charging hybrid setup like the Toyota Yaris does.
In this case the self-charging 1.5-litre hybrid offers an impressive claimed 69mpg and is backed by Toyota’s standard three-year warranty which is automatically extend for up to a maximum of 10-years/100,000-miles after each service.
So, you get to enjoy the benefits of an efficient hybrid engine in a small car backed by a solid warranty.
6. Honda HR-V
Honda HR-V Hybrid review
The latest Honda HR-V SUV is spacious, refined and offers a smooth self-charging hybrid engine which delivers a superb 52mpg and can drive for short spurts on electric power alone.
All this would be for nought if it didn’t come with an above-average five-year/100,000-mile warranty as well as eight-year/100,000-mile coverage on the hybrid bits. The HR-V may be new, but it’s based on solid mechanicals and Honda has one of the strongest reliability records around.
7. MINI Countryman
MINI Countryman (2016-2023) review
Battery range up to 28 miles
The MINI Countryman may seem like an odd choice here, but it’s pretty compact for an SUV and has proven itself to be a very reliable model over the years. A BMW insider told us that very few cars have been booked in for faults which has been borne out by some class-leading results in recent customer surveys.
We’d pick the 178hp Countryman Cooper S model in Exclusive trim for the best value. A three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty comes standard.
8. Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift review
The Suzuki Swift is spacious, offers low running costs and is fun to drive, with just 83hp on offer, though, the one thing it isn’t is swift.
It’s efficient though, with a combined average of 60mpg, and there’s also a pricier 129hp Swift Sport model if you want it to live up to its name. What all models come with as standard is a three-year/60,000-mile warranty which is extendable as long as you don’t exceed 100,000-miles at the date of purchase.
9. Mazda 2
Mazda 2 review
You’ll initially be drawn to the Mazda 2 because of its smart looks and fun driving dynamics, but its impressive reliability record is what gets it included here. Low running costs are a key factor when considering small cars, and the Mazda 2 doesn’t disappoint here either. You can get around 60mpg from the petrol versions and the new hybrid Mazda 2 (which is essentially a rebadged Toyota Yaris) offers an even more impressive 70mpg in mixed driving.
10. Hyundai i20
Hyundai i20 review
The Hyundai i20 is superb around town, has a great infotainment system and comes with a perky 100hp petrol engine which also helps keep running costs low. Its five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty is one of the more generous around and is great for those who cover a lot of miles but don’t want to spend extra on extended warranties.
Browse all small cars
Sell your car for what it's really worth
The free, easy way to get 4,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car
Learn how to
sell your car
with carwow
Advice about reliable small cars
Reliable small cars FAQs
Browse other car types
- 4x4 Cars
- 7-Seater Cars
- Automatic Cars
- Cheap Cars
- Convertible Cars
- Coupe Cars
- Crossover Cars
- Electric Cars
- Estate Cars
- Executive Cars
- Family Cars
- First Cars
- GT Cars
- Hatchbacks
- Hot Hatches
- Hybrid Cars
- Luxury Cars
- MPVs
- Medium-sized Cars
- Most Economical Cars
- Motability Cars
- SUVs
- Saloon Cars
- Small Cars
- Sports Cars
- Superminis