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Toyota RAV4 leads WSG used SUV reliability survey

WSG found that the RAV4 had a claim rate of 9.78%, along with an average claim cost of £833.73.

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The Toyota RAV4 has come out top in an SUV reliability survey conducted by Warranty Solutions Group (WSG), based on warranty claim data from between May 2025 and April 2026.

WSG found that the RAV4 had a claim rate of 9.78%, along with an average claim cost of £833.73.

Other SUV models ranked highly for reliability included the Dacia Duster, with an average claim rate of 11.21%, the BMW X3 (15.93%), Škoda Karoq (19.19%) and Mazda CX-5 (19.82%).

The lowest average claim cost on the list was for the Jeep Compass, at £433.65. Its claim rate was 26.15%.

WSG warned that larger and more premium SUVs saw higher claim rates due to their technical complexity.

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The most common fault across all SUV models was NOx sensors, accounting for 2.97% of all claims and costing £623.76 on average.

It was followed by batteries (2.51%), gearboxes (2.32%), window regulators (2.14%) and alternators (1.86%).

WSG found that the average hourly labour rate for SUVs increased by 3.66% year-on-year, reaching £118.75.

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Steph Newbery, group director at WSG, said: “SUVs have become the default choice for many UK families because they offer practicality, comfort and versatility.

“But what many motorists don’t realise is that larger vehicles often come with higher repair exposure once they move beyond manufacturer warranty.

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“As SUVs become more technologically advanced, even relatively straightforward repairs now require more diagnostics, specialist labour and increasingly expensive parts.

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“Our data shows there are clear differences between models when it comes to reliability and ownership costs, and that information becomes incredibly valuable for consumers buying used vehicles.

“Many drivers are buying used SUVs because they want more space, practicality and better value, but ownership costs need to be part of that decision.

“A lower purchase price can quickly be offset by a major mechanical failure once a vehicle moves beyond manufacturer warranty.

“As repair costs continue to rise, more motorists are looking for greater certainty around long-term ownership costs – particularly as modern SUVs become more complex and expensive to repair.

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“That’s why we launched our direct-to-consumer warranty platform, giving drivers straightforward access to cover across petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles and helping them protect themselves against unexpected repair bills.”

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