Why are the best MPVs also the least reliable?

FreddieFrugal

I look at car reviews a lot and I'm always thinking about what my next car might be. (Not getting one at the moment) It's probably going to be either an estate or a mid size 5 seater mpv.

Now I like the idea of an mpv, like the added flexibility, without car being significantly larger than standard C segment vehicle. Estate you get more space but it's not as flexible.

But when I've looked at mpv reviews, the ones that look the most practical, most cubbys, best boots, easiest moving seats and have the neatest extra touches like the new C4 Picasso or a Renault Scenic, or even vauxhall's offerings are at least pretty good on practicality front.

Problem is all the ones that I'd short list as allrounder top of MPV class are also stereotypically unreliable based on their manufacturers, and this is backed up by Driver Power survey in particular.

All the others have their own issues, C-Max (I've always owned Ford) but they have terrible reputation for reliability too. Kia Sorrento, rubbish to drive and uneconomical, it's engine emissions and mpg look like they're from a 10 year old car not one released in the last few years.

If you just go by reviews and what's available online, it makes it sound like the only decent MPVs are terribly unreliable, and the reliable ones are terrible cars.

So looks like it might have to be an estate after all!

jase1

At a guess, it's because the marques with a bad reputation generally just happen to be the ones who have gone into the (relatively niche) MPV segment.

There are a few Japanese ones that tend to fly under the radar (from Toyota, Mazda and Mitsubishi) which should be reliable. Whether they're suitable is a subjective thing but the engines and driving dynamics will be competitive.

They're too old now but the Mitu Space Star was always underrated, and drove a lot better than the Scenic of the day.

motorguy

I wouldnt have any particular fears of a newish Renault or Citroen MPV. I sold quite a few when i was trading and never had much issues.

The 1.6HDI engine gave a heap of trouble 05->07 but i dont know if that has all been sorted TBH.

I guess maybe MPVs tend to not get as much TLC as a regular car, and maybe more use with heavy loads hence maybe they tend to break more often?

Dunno really.

FreddieFrugal

motorguy wrote: »

I wouldnt have any particular fears of a newish Renault or Citroen MPV. I sold quite a few when i was trading and never had much issues.

it still seems to be the electrical French gremlins that rear their head at some point.

It's darn confusing though. You look at one survey and the Scenic is one of the most reliable MPVs you can buy. You look at another and it's one of the worst. It's that inconsistency that I find off putting.

You could be right about the TLC thing, but most of these things are based on Driver Power Survey, now if you can be bothered to fill out a form about a car in your own time, then my thinking would be, you're also probably someone that does therefore care about cars and so hopefully at least pays for yearly servicing.

Could be wrong on that one, you never know, 'ain't nowt so queer as folk.

wba31

As a Honda lover I long for the day they bring the Odyssey to the UK, but it seems they are going the other way as they have just axed the Accord.
In the search for a bigger car i think my next motor will be a Skoda Superb estate... flipping huge thing, without being a Galaxy, and available with 1.6 diesel or 1.4 petrol

Gloomendoom

IanRi wrote: »

Kia Sorrento, rubbish to drive and uneconomical, it's engine emissions and mpg look like they're from a 10 year old car not one released in the last few years.

Since when has a Kia Sorento been an MPV? It's a pretty big and heavy 4x4 SUV, so poor emissions/mpg shouldn't really be that much of a surprise.

FreddieFrugal

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Since when has a Kia Sorento been an MPV? It's a pretty big and heavy 4x4 SUV, so poor emissions/mpg shouldn't really be that much of a surprise.

You are correct my friend. I meant the Kia Carens. My bad!

jase1

IanRi wrote: »

You are correct my friend. I meant the Kia Carens. My bad!

Which Carens did you drive?

The old one was a seriously old design, still Mazda based and I think one of the last old-world Kias on sale.

The newer one is very different. I drove one briefly, and although I honestly couldn't tell you anything about it (it was pretty bland) it didn't strike me as rubbish to drive, just typical MPV tedium really.

Gloomendoom

IanRi wrote: »

You are correct my friend. I meant the Kia Carens. My bad!

My wife had a new Carens for a few weeks as a courtesy car. It went back last week.

It was nice enough car to drive but nothing special. Pretty typical of any mpv I have driven. It also did over 50 mpg. Is that bad?

On_Stanley_on

I have got a 2004 Renault Scenic that has never put a foot wrong. I have had to replace the tyres wipers brake pads ect and its just had a new battery. I don't look after it that well, hasn't had a service for a while.

I cover about 14000 miles per year in it (its a 1.6 petrol Auto) and wouldn't hesitate on recommending one. I have just taken all the seats out ready for my camping trip and its a very large loading space!!

As for the Galaxy my wife has one, and again its great! We regularly have 7 of us in the car plus a buggy and a small amount of luggage. Again with the seats folded away the load space is massive!! I used it to move house. The Galaxy has been very reliable so far. When you first drive one it seems a little big but after a couple of trips I stopped noticing in, even after driving the senic and getting straight in to the galaxy.