2022 breakdown statistics: The most reliable cars of all classes
The German motorists' club ADAC collects the data of its breakdown service, which provides good information about how reliable cars tend to be. The annual breakdown statistics show which cars have only a few breakdowns and which "break down" most often.
The current survey provides information about the deployments of the ADAC breakdown service in 2021 - and which of the 132 model series analysed proved to be particularly (un)reliable. You can find an overview of the results of the ADAC breakdown statistics 2022 here.
Battery remains the most common cause of breakdowns
In 2021, the ADAC recorded 3,492,335 breakdown operations. This represents an increase of 3.1 percent compared to 2020, when the breakdown service had to be called out 3,385,699 times. Compared to the last pre-Corona year 2019, however, the number of deployments was still low in 2021 (minus 7 percent).
The most common cause of "breaking down" in 2021 was the same as in the years since: Since the beginning of data collection in 1967, the starter battery has been and remains the number 1 cause of breakdowns. 46.2 percent of the breakdowns investigated by the ADAC in 2021 were due to the battery. The battery was also the most common cause of breakdowns in electric cars last year.
In 2nd and 3rd place among the most common causes of breakdowns in 2021 are the engine and engine management (15.5%) and "Other" – i.e. bodywork, steering, brakes, chassis and powertrain (14.8%).
The most common causes of breakdowns for ADAC road patrol operations
ADAC breakdown statistics 2022
132 model series from 22 car brands appear in the breakdown statistics for 2021 (= breakdown statistics 2022), 46 of which are "top reliable". Only 5 model series performed particularly poorly – a significant improvement compared to the previous year.
For the statistics, breakdowns managed by the ADAC in the course of 2021 were taken into account, which affected vehicles aged 3 to 10 years (first registration 2012 to 2019) and which were sold and registered at least 10,000 times in at least one of the registration years.
Self-inflicted breakdowns, such as an empty tank, or tire problems were not included in the statistics.
The ADAC emphasizes that the ratings in the breakdown statistics are to be understood exclusively as a guide, as vehicles can deviate from the statistics in both positive and negative ways.
Results by class
Below you will find the results of the ADAC breakdown statistics 2022, divided by vehicle class.
Reading hint
The concrete results of the ADAC breakdown statistics for all models examined can be found - broken down by class - in the tables below. The following should be noted:
- The mileage is given as an average value per year in tkm, i.e. the value "10" in the field "Mileage" would correspond to an average annual mileage of the vehicle examined of 10,000 kilometers.
- The breakdowns are indicated per year of first registration (=EZ) in breakdowns per 1,000 registered vehicles.
- In the tables below, the so-called breakdown index is given – these are the breakdowns per 1,000 registered vehicles of the respective model.
- The ADAC breakdown statistics 2021 deal with the breakdowns recorded in 2020. The statistics are therefore named according to the year of publication, not the year in which the glitches occurred.
Microcars
The smart forfour and the smart fortwo stand out in the current ADAC statistics as particularly prone to breakdowns. In the case of the former, the club even speaks of a "frightening number of breakdown cases".
The Toyota Aygo, on the other hand, stood out as "top reliable" among the small cars.
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | 2.6 | 4.5 | 13.9 | 21.8 | 23.0 | 20.2 | 19.1 | 22.0 |
| Fiat Panda | Ka | 4.5 | 12.6 | 18.1 | Ka | Ka | 17.4 | 21.3 |
| Hyundai i10 | 4.6 | 8.6 | 11.6 | 19.5 | 19.4 | 22.6 | 17.2 | 18.5 |
| KIA Picanto | 7.3 | 9.2 | 12.3 | 19.3 | Ka | 23.8 | Ka | Ka |
| Opel ADAM | 2.7 | 5.1 | 9.1 | 14.4 | 16.7 | 17.3 | 15.1 | Ka |
| Renault Twingo | 5.7 | 7.9 | 11.8 | 14.9 | 20.0 | 17.0 | 14.3 | 19.6 |
| SEAT Mii | Ka | Ka | Ka | 11.2 | 15.1 | 18.6 | 21.2 | 24.5 |
| Skoda Citigo | 2.4 | 3.4 | 7.6 | 8.7 | 14.0 | 18.2 | 19.1 | 24.5 |
| smart forfour | 6.4 | 17.7 | 24.8 | 29.0 | 30.2 | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| smart fortwo | 7.5 | 14.3 | 21.8 |
26.3 |
Small car
In the small car segment, the Audi A1, the MINI and the Renault Captur, for example, cut a particularly good figure in the breakdown year 2021. This also applies to the Suzuki Vitara, which appears in the current ADAC breakdown statistics from the 2016 model year.
The Hyundai i20 attracts attention with many breakdowns in the 2021 to 2015 model years, but this improves drastically from the 2016 model year. The Renault Clio with the model years 2014 and 2015 also had to be "looked after" by the ADAC very often.
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A1 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 8.6 | 7.6 | 9.9 |
| Citroen C3 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 4.1 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Dacia Sandero | 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 11.0 | 10.1 | 13.6 | 14.3 | 18.1 |
| Fiat Punto | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | 18.9 | 20.0 |
| Ford B-MAX | Ka | Ka | 9.2 | 14.7 | 18.2 | 24.0 | 23.2 | Ka |
| Ford EcoSport | 4.4 | 3.9 | 12.4 | 9.1 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Ford Fiesta (Courier) | 3.2 | 4.5 | 12.8 | 9.3 | 15.4 | 19.8 | 20.7 | 19.0 |
| Hyundai i20 | 2.4 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 10.6 | 18.4 | 34.4 | 32.3 | 31.4 |
| Hyundai Kona | 3.8 | 4.5 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Mazda CX-3 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 5.1 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
¹ Annual mileage (⌀, in tkm)
EZ = year
of first registration The breakdowns are reported per 1,000 registered vehicles (= "breakdown number")
Lower middle class
In the lower mid-size class, a whole range of models stood out particularly positively, including the Audi A3, Audi Q2, Audi Q3, BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series, BMW X1, BMW X2, Mercedes GLA, Mitsubishi ASX and VW T-Roc.
The Toyota C-HR from 2017 to 2019 and the Toyota Corolla from 2019 bring up the rear in the mid-size class, due to the frequent battery breakdowns. According to ADAC, the manufacturer states that it is aware of these problems and therefore changed suppliers at the beginning of 2022. For affected models, Toyota dealers would replace the battery free of charge as part of an upcoming workshop service.
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 9.6 | 13.3 | 15.3 |
| Audi Q2 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 2.9 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Audi Q3 | 2.2 | 5.3 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 10.6 | 11.5 |
| BMW 1 Series | 2.0 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 9.5 | 8.7 | 11.0 |
| BMW 2 Series (incl. Grand and Active Tourer) | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 4.9 | 7.0 | 9.4 | Ka | Ka |
| BMW X1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 7.2 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 9.8 |
| BMW X2 | 1.4 | 3.0 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Citroen Berlingo | 5.6 | 5.9 | 8.5 | 12.8 | 15.2 | 18.6 | 21.4 | 28.0 |
| Dacia Dokker | 6.5 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 7.5 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Dacia Duster | 4.3 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 13.7 | 19.0 | 19.3 | 11.7 | 12.2 |
¹ Annual mileage (⌀, in tkm)
EZ = year
of first registration The breakdowns are reported per 1,000 registered vehicles (= "breakdown number")
Middle class
In the mid-range, the ADAC has recorded numerous very reliable models for the breakdown year 2021. The BMW X3 is the top in all model years from 2012 to 2019, as is the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which has only been available since the 2016 model year. Also very good: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and BMW 4 Series.
However, the statistics are not very glorious for the Opel Insignia, the ADAC describes the model as "consistently fraught with problems" in view of the many breakdowns in all model years from 2012 to 2019. According to statistics, older years in particular are "extremely prone to breakdowns" in the VW Sharan.
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A4 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 9.1 |
| Audi A5 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 10.8 |
| Audi Q5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 7.0 | 10.3 | 8.6 | 12.4 |
| BMW 3 Series | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 9.8 | 11.6 |
| BMW 4 Series | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 8.2 | Ka | Ka |
| BMW X3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 5.7 |
| Ford Mondeo | 7.5 | 5.4 | 9.5 | 17.3 | 26.8 | 21.4 | 20.9 | 23.0 |
| Ford S-MAX | Ka | 15.0 | 24.4 | 38.1 | Ka | 14.3 | 20.7 | 20.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1.6 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 9.9 | 12.6 | 15.6 | 15.2 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLC | 1.4 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 4.3 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
¹ Annual mileage (⌀, in tkm)
EZ = year
of first registration The breakdowns are reported per 1,000 registered vehicles (= "breakdown number")
Upper mid-range
In the statistics for the upper mid-range, BMW is again ahead, with the X5 (from 2018) and the 5 Series.
None of the emerging models has a "very high" probability of breakdowns in this category.
Breakdown statistics 2022 - Upper mid-range
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 10.2 | 8.4 | 12.3 |
| BMW 5 Series | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 11.1 | 16.5 |
| BMW X5 | 1.5 | 2.1 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Ford Ranger | 5.4 | 6.2 | 8.7 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Ford Tourneo/Transit Custom | 7.5 | 12.5 | 7.8 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 12.7 | Ka | Ka |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 2.4 | 4.6 | 6.5 | 13.0 | 16.2 | 18.7 | 21.4 | 23.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz Viano/Vito/V-Class | 3.7 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 7.9 | 11.2 | 16.1 | 12.5 | 18.3 |
| Opel Vivaro | Ka | 10.2 | 13.1 | 18.7 | 19.8 | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Renault Trafic | 7.8 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 13.2 | Ka | Ka | Ka | Ka |
| Skoda Superb | 4.7 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 9.2 | 13.4 | 15.2 | 18.7 | 23.7 |
¹ Annual mileage (⌀, in tkm)
EZ = year
of first registration The breakdowns are reported per 1,000 registered vehicles (= "breakdown number")
Vans/Vans
The Mercedes Sprinter performed best in this category.
| Model | Registration date 2019 | Registration date 2018 | Registration date 2017 | Registration date 2016 | Registration date 2015 | Registration date 2014 | Registration date 2013 | Registration date 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | 13.9 | 5.7 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 14.4 | Ka | 11.1 | 13.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 3.2 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 5.2 | 7.1 | 6.3 | 10.9 | 6.6 |
| VW Commercial Vehicles Crafter / Grand California | 5.0 | 7.1 | 13.4 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 5.2 | 8.1 |
¹ Annual mileage (⌀, in tkm)
EZ = year
of first registration The breakdowns are reported per 1,000 registered vehicles (= "breakdown number")