Vehicle reliability is a key factor when deciding whether to buy a new or used car. In addition to traditional indicators such as recall statistics or user reviews,, reliability can also be assessed annually by the number of emergency calls made to the German Automobile Club ADAC. The ADAC 2025 reability index offers a practical insight into how often drivers actually need assistance in real traffic.
In the current ADAC 2025 statistics, a total of 159 model series of 20 makes have been analysed. While approximately 3.5 million ADAC roadside assistances were recorded in 2023, there were 100,000 more in 2024, i.e. 3.6 million.
Selection criteria
All defects were recorded for vehicles between two and nine years old (i.e. first registered between 2015 and 2022). To be included in the statistical analysis, the model series had to have at least 7 000 registrations within two years. If this requirement is met, all model years with at least 5,000 registrations are shown. The number of breakdowns does not take into account reasons that are clearly self-inflicted, such as an empty fuel tank or lost keys.
- Tip: TÜV Report 2025: The best and worst cars
- Tip: Vehicle recalls i Germany (KBA)
- Tip: Dekra reliability after 100,000 km
The most common reasons
The most common cause of vehicle breakdowns was a faulty or dead starter battery (44.1%). Problems with the engine and its electronics came second (22.8%), followed by electrical systems such as the alternator or lighting (10.5%), tyre defects (8.8%) and problems with the locking system (7.1%).
The least reliable cars according to ADAC 2025
For our table of the 18 least reliable cars, we have selected cars from all six categories that have a very high probability of having a road defect in at least one year (shown in red in the table). Some may be surprised to see that various Toyota models have the most red fields at the bottom of the table.
In keeping with the focus of our site, clicking on each model will take you to its recalls.
Most defects alphabetically
| Model | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Ducato | 37,4 | 39,1 | 36,6 | 27,9 | 33,9 | 40,6 | 45,6 | 49,2 |
| Ford Kuga | 10,7 | 35,9 | 29,7 | 15,9 | 16,8 | 19,3 | 25,3 | 23,9 |
| Ford S-Max | — | — | — | 10,1 | 39,1 | 37,8 | 47,8 | — |
| Ford Transit | 7,0 | 8,2 | 13,0 | 25,1 | 8,2 | 9,9 | 22,0 | 30,3 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 22,4 | 18,3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mazda 3 | — | — | 30,8 | 34,4 | 7,0 | 6,7 | 13,7 | 12,3 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 7,5 | 14,0 | 33,2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nissan Qashqai | 5,8 | 10,4 | 24,1 | 30,7 | 19,7 | 17,4 | 22,7 | 24,9 |
| Opel Insignia | 17,2 | 21,0 | 19,5 | 25,3 | 31,0 | 37,1 | 40,9 | 33,8 |
| Opel Meriva | — | — | — | — | — | 30,6 | 34,7 | 26,2 |
| Opel Zafira | — | — | — | 14,0 | 16,8 | 21,4 | 24,4 | 30,2 |
| Renault Master | 11,6 | 20,3 | 35,3 | 31,3 | 10,5 | 11,4 | 16,7 | 19,5 |
| Renault Megane | 1,8 | 9,4 | 9,1 | 14,7 | 22,8 | 30,1 | 35,0 | 28,1 |
| Renault Scenic | — | — | — | 36,5 | 29,2 | 27,3 | — | 29,1 |
| Toyota C-HR | 16,4 | 41,6 | 63,1 | 46,8 | 35,5 | 29,9 | — | — |
| Toyota RAV4 | 18,4 | 25,1 | 45,2 | 38,7 | 35,6 | 38,8 | 27,2 | — |
| Toyota Yaris | 29,2 | 48,2 | 27,3 | 11,0 | 14,1 | 21,3 | 23,4 | 22,8 |
| Toyota Yaris Cross | 40,0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
You can see all 159 cars divided by segment in the tables by clicking on the following links:
- City car / Mini-compact
- Supermini / Subcompact
- Small family / Compact
- Large family / Mid-size
- Executive / Full-size
- Vans
The evaluation of the frequency of failures follows a colour scheme from dark green (very low) to red (very high). Vehicles with many model years in the green rating are less likely to be a source of problems, while vehicles with few model years in the red rating should be approached with caution.
However, the rating should always be considered as indicative as it does not provide any information on other defects that do not result in a breakdown of the vehicle. In addition, the quality of the vehicle may differ from the statistical rating, both in a positive and negative sense. The rating is also not indicative of the care and maintenance that the owner (dis)provides to the car.
If you find a good deal on a used car, regardless of the statistics, you should have it professionally inspected and check its history. This will help you avoid costly repairs.
Currently 5116 Recalls