The UK's worst ever car

Ever wondered what the UK's most unreliable car would look like? Well, take a look at this motoring monstrosity.

With four gears (five including reverse!), the turning circle of a tank and a revolting lime paint-job, I was convinced my old Corsa was the worst car ever made. But it appears I was wrong.

Yes, Warranty Direct has this week concocted an even more unreliable motor.

But luckily, no one will every have the misfortune of driving it…

Frankenstein car

Warranty Direct’s ‘Nightmare Car’ is in fact a Frankenstein motor, put together on paper and not – thankfully – in reality! Named the Monster MK1, the car was created using nine different parts from a variety of different models of motor.

The models were selected by combining parts from the worst scoring cars across various categories of Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index.

The Reliability Index uses genuine records to create a reliability score for each car based on frequency of failure, the average cost of repair, age and mileage.

So here’s the make up of the nightmarish Monster MK1…

Source: Warranty Direct

As you can see, the Frankenstein car is powered by an MG TF engine, uses the brakes of an Audi A8, sits on the suspension of a BMW M3 and operates using the gearbox of a Land Rover Freelander.

Warranty Direct estimates that the vehicle would break down every other month and cost an average of £2,050 to fix each year.

In terms of the Monster’s Reliability Index, it holds a figure of over 500. That’s over five times the score of the average car!

One faulty part

Now, this ‘car from hell’ concoction is of course just a bit of fun. And what’s more, the Reliability Index does not include every make and model of car in the UK – so the Monster MK1 may not even be the worst car in the country!

But the research does highlight how reliable cars can be brought down by one faulty part.

Looking at the various parts, Warranty Direct point out that almost 40% of BMW M3s require axle and suspension replacements each year, with the same proportion of Renault Meganes suffering an electrical fault.

In addition, one in five Land Rover Freelanders suffer transmission failure every 12 months while almost a quarter of MG TF sports cars will experience engine trouble.

One in five Audi A8s will also need repair work done to their brakes every year and over 12% of SEAT Alahambras will succumb to a faulty air-con system.

So how can you make sure that your motor is as reliable as possible?

Most reliable cars

Back in April, Warranty Direct compiled a slightly more positive list of cars. Namely, the most reliable motors by individual models.

Here are the top five cars in the run-down; if you want to view the complete lists head over to our full analysis of the report in The UK’s most reliable car.

Source: Warranty Direct

Considering that the average car scores 100 on the reliability index, and the hybrid Frankenstein creation holds a score of 500, the above cars look exceptionally reliable! The pole-position model – a Toyota Corolla – even manages to top the list with an average mileage across the records used of 61,000. That’s higher than any of the other top five cars.

A run-down of the overall least reliable cars was also compiled by Warranty Direct, and the results may surprise you – with two pricey cars topping the list...

Source: Warranty Direct

As you can see, three models of Mercedes make it into the top five least reliable cars, with the top two automobiles holding reliability index scores over three times the level of the average car in the UK.

Again, you can get the full details of the reliability figures by heading over to our analysis of the report. And for some further advice on the most wallet-friendly cars read The cars that depreciate the fastest and The 10 cheapest cars to run.

Repairs

Making sure you’re fully informed as to the overall reliability of any car you’re planning on purchasing is of course essential. But faults will always occur, and repairs will always be needed.

Indeed, Warranty Direct estimates that four in ten vehicles will require a trip to the repair workshop each year, with some fixes costing up to £7,000 a time to repair.

One way to minimise the risk of this motoring nightmare hitting you hard in the pocket is to ensure that you get your car serviced every year. In fact, by skipping a service, not only are you putting your car at risk, you’re also exposing you, your passengers and other motorists to the danger of faults cropping up whilst on the road.

You can find out how to save money on your annual service by reading The silly car mistake that risks your life.

And for some tips on reducing your breakdown cover bill – essential protection if you spend a lot of time on the road - head over to Don’t overpay for breakdown cover.

What do you think?

What makes of cars do you find the most reliable?

Have your say using the comment box below.

More: Seven top ways to pay for a new car | Earn cashback on your car | The ten most vandalised cars