Which used mid-size car is actually the safest to own? An extensive long-term test by Germany’s AutoBild, where cars are driven a full 100,000 kilometers and then inspected in detail, provides a clear indication. The results reveal both confirmation – and surprises.

For many years, C-segment hatchbacks formed the backbone of the market. Models like the Golf, Astra and Focus dominated new car sales. Today, crossovers attract more buyers, but as used cars, these classic mid-sizers are still extremely popular.

It’s easy to see why: spacious enough for families, comfortable on long trips, and at the same time reasonable when it comes to weight, fuel consumption, and ownership costs. A crucial factor is, of course, reliability – few want to spend money on unexpected workshop visits.

How the Test Was Conducted

AutoBild’s so-called “dauer-test” differs from regular test drives. Each car is driven hard in real traffic up to 100,000 kilometers. All faults and issues are meticulously documented. Once the test is finished, the car is dismantled to reveal wear and hidden problems.

The outcome is summarized in a number of minus points – the fewer, the better. A serious problem can weigh far more heavily than several minor annoyances.

The Results – From Best to Worst

What the Numbers Really Mean

It is important to understand how the scoring is done. A single serious fault can result in many minus points. The Seat Leon is a clear example: trouble-free for a long time, but a costly gearbox failure at around 80,000 km dragged the rating down considerably.

Most cars still perform well or very well. Interestingly, Japanese and South Korean brands end up in the middle of the pack, despite their strong reputation for high reliability.

Interpret with Some Caution

Tests like these give a good indication – but are not the absolute truth. The cars were not driven in parallel, and each long-term test applies to a single sample. Additionally, some quality issues only show up after an even higher mileage than 100,000 kilometers.

Surprising Conclusion

That the Audi A3 tops the list completely without any remarks is perhaps the most notable – especially as it’s the technically more advanced g-tron version running on natural gas. The same basic platform is also used by the Seat Leon and VW Golf, which rank much lower.

The conclusion? In this case, a more expensive design and higher quality level actually seem to pay off in the long run.