When it comes to reliable cars and cars that stay on the road for years and years, you really can’t beat a European car. While cars made in other parts of the world can be high-tech and efficient, they often don’t last as long as a European-made vehicle. This is why people who live in North America and other parts of the world deliberately choose a vehicle that is made somewhere in Europe. These cars are very well made and built with an emphasis on longevity, so people love them and prefer them over other cars and trucks.
If you’re curious about European cars that are the most reliable in the history of automobiles, there are dozens of them that stand out among the rest. The following cars are indeed some of the most reliable European cars of all time.
1. Porsche 911 Carrera
Porsche vehicles have a well-earned reputation for both speed and great handling, but there are still people who don’t realize how dependable and reliable this car is. Let’s take a look at one example: the Porsche 911 Carrera is the only vehicle to get a perfect score of 10 out of 10 in reliability studies conducted by J.D. Powers & Associates. And since J.D. Powers & Associates has its own amazing reputation, you can trust this study to provide you with results that matter.
Part of the reason this vehicle is so reliable is its features that include a steering system that has a great feel and which has second-to-none quality, brakes that never let you down, and both an engine and transmission that give it the power and longevity you’d expect from the Porsche brand.
2. Mercedes-Benz W124
In the beginning, Mercedes-Benz made vehicles that could go 500,000 miles or more and experience only minor mechanical problems. The W124 Mercedes was produced from 1985 to 1995 and provides similar dependability. When you consider that this is also a very luxurious car that offers both dependability and many high-class, high-tech features that discerning car buyers love, you’ll understand why so many people love Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The W124 cars are fitted with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine that has been proven to be one of the toughest engines Mercedes ever made. And more of these vehicles than you think are still on the road today. While not all of them have 500,000 miles on them, many have 300,000 miles or more, which makes them very reliable vehicles indeed.
3. BMW 3 Series
Produced from 1981 to 1984, when many vehicles were at the peak of their reliability, BMW made the 3 Series E30 models, and these vehicles are still considered legendary BMWs today. The E30 3 Series cars were updated versions of the BMW E21, only they had upgraded styling and design and much better suspension. During this time frame, the 3 Series was sold as either a sedan and coupe, even though more body styles were eventually made in later years. Today, a lot of these vehicles are still on the road, including the 1984 model, which was very reliable but not very stylish and therefore not as popular as the other models.
It isn’t surprising that a vehicle made by BMW would be on a list of the most reliable cars ever made, and people who own BMWs are glad they purchased them.
4. Acura MDX
A lot of people might be surprised to find a car made by Acura on this list, but since the company went above and beyond when they developed and designed the MDX, it’ll be no surprise for people who buy one of these cars. In the J.D. Power & Associates’ reliability study, the Acura MDX enjoyed an 8 out of 10 rating, and in the category of Safety, the same company gave this vehicle a perfect score of 10. And with both safety and reliability present in the MDX, buying one of these vehicles is certain never to disappoint.
This vehicle was already one of Acura’s best-selling SUVs, and now it has been made even better. Other perks of buying the MDX include a ton of technologically advanced features and an innovative safety system, as well as a very generous warranty that covers 4 years/50,000 miles, no doubt one of the most generous on the market.
5. Volkswagen Passat
The quality of German engineering is demonstrated in this amazing vehicle. The Passat has earned a score of 9 out of 10 in the reliability study completed by J.D. Power & Associates, and the people who have been driving this vehicle for years or even decades can attest to its amazing dependability. They have been making the Passat for a long time now, even though they took a year off in 2011, so there are lots of these vehicles still on the road today.
In addition to being a very dependable vehicle, the Volkswagen Passat is known for its safety as well, even earning the IIHS Top Safety pick for mid-sized cars. The Passat is also a very sporty car that is a lot of fun to drive, making it a very popular vehicle for all types of customers. Furthermore, the fact that it is so reasonably priced is icing on the cake, as they say.
6. Volvo 850
Choosing a Volvo is never a bad idea, and the 850 that was made in 1993 is one of the most reliable ones ever. When they were first designed, Volvo was going for a less “boxy” look than the 240s, and this one came with a 5-cylinder transverse-mounted engine and is available in either a 4-door or a 5-door type. Today, many of these vehicles are still on the road and working great. While Volvo designs all of their cars to last virtually forever, the 850 has proven its worth by still going strong this many years later, much to the owners’ delight. Another interesting note about the Volvo 850 is that it is the first vehicle that Volvo made with a front-wheel design.
