If the automobile is a symbol of freedom and independence, this can quickly turn into a source of frustration when it breaks down. A study carried out by the insurer Leocare during the summer shed light on the reliability of different car brands with results that could surprise more than one French motorist.
A podium occupied by the French
The study Leocare is based on nearly 10,000 assistance requests between March 2023 and April 2024 and it takes into account five types of incidents: breakdowns, accidents, punctures, acts of vandalism and theft. The results reveal a worrying – and strong – trend for French manufacturers who find themselves at the top of the list in several categories.
Whether for each incident independently or cumulatively, the top 3 always remains the same with two brands at the top of the ranking: Renault and Peugeot. Volkswagen follows closely behind them and is on the podium for all incidents.
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- Renault
- Peugeot
- Volkswagen
- Mercedes
- Citroën
- Audi
- Ford
- Opel
- Fiat
- Toyota
It is important to note that these results are proportional to the sample analyzed, which means thatthey are not simply a reflection of the popularity of French brands on the national market. The study also reveals interesting differences between French manufacturers: while Renault and Peugeot seem affected by reliability problems, Citroën is doing better. The number of breakdown assistances at the latter is lower than its proportion in the vehicle fleet studied, which therefore suggests above-average reliability.
An aging park
These results are part of a context where the French automobile fleet is aging: According toUnion of assistants, the average age of cars in France is 10.8 years and even reaches 12.5 years for vehicles over 4 years old subject to technical inspection. This aging trend, which is obviously linked to the rise in prices of new (and used) cars, could partly explain the increase in breakdowns.
However, the results of this study must still be qualified since the incidents listed in the study are not necessarily linked to the intrinsic reliability of the vehicles : Accidents, vandalism, theft or punctures do not reflect the manufacturing quality of the cars. Renault or Peugeot therefore have nothing to do with it.
The study also highlights trends in premium brands: Mercedes is more exposed to acts of vandalism and involved in more accidents, just like Audi – which is not the case for BMW. This data raises questions about the perception of these brands and the behavior they can provoke among other road users or people with malicious intent.
