A savvy group of car buffs at Carwow, using insights from Warrantywise's UK data, have pinpointed the most dependable gracing British roads.

After digging into 2024 breakdown records and the costs to fix the faults, they delivered a plot twist for car enthusiasts: The reigned supreme as the UK’s most reliable of 2024.

The modestly-sized Suzuki Alto, best labelled as a city , might not be the biggest or the flashiest, but it stood tall as remarkably trustworthy on our busy streets.

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Designed to ferry around a few people without breaking the bank, this Suzuki's diminutive size and specs don't stop it from winning out against pricier opposition.

Mat Watson, the ace motoring expert at Carwow, couldn’t contain his admiration for the Alto in a video for the price comparison site.

Mat also pointed out something striking about the Alto having a lack of anything to critique.

He said: "The really striking thing is just how little the Alto goes wrong. In fact, Warrantywise has so little data on Alto problems that there isn't a 'Most common problem'. The data just says 'miscellaneous' and I think that says it all."

The Alto took home the reliability crown, yet it wasn't alone in dazzling the experts, with the Fiesta ST, V90, MX5, A8, Yaris, and Hilux all securing their spots as reliable stalwarts too.

Mat from the car review corner couldn’t praise the Fiesta highly enough, especially the sixth and seventh generations, calling them both "absolute crackers to drive".

However, he did mention that the most frequently encountered issue was with the clutch.

The top sports car on the list, claiming fourth place overall, was the Mazda MX-5. The primary issue noted among the cars that were checked out involved the vehicle’s suspension.

When it comes to picking the creme de la creme of used cars, mechanical engineer Sergei Savchak threw in his opinion. He said: "Customers who do their homework have found Toyotas from between 2007 and 2012 [are the best value]."

He praises these models for having diligent owners and competitive pricing, admitting he’s even been tempted to purchase one himself, despite restrictions. He explained: "Generally speaking, they are good cars with meticulous owners and are well-priced. I have sometimes had the urge to buy one, but we are completely banned from doing so."

Besides sharing his views on which type of motor should catch your eye, Sergei laid down some wise words about the risks of second-hand shopping, cautioning: "The biggest disadvantage is uncertainty. A new car should be perfect, but there are countless conditions in which you can find a used car."

Sergei also highlighted an issue many face when they don't know what they're looking for, warning: "Many users are unable to discern at a glance what treatment has been given to the vehicle they are considering buying, and that is where scams, frauds and manipulations begin."

While some insiders are dishing out advice on the best time to purchase a pre-owned vehicle, there's chatter about the prime times to sell as well.

Adding to the conversation, a spokesperson for the car-buying service BigWantsYourCar shared insights with the Express, pinpointing the ideal month to put your vehicle up for sale.

They hinted: "April is the sweet spot for selling a used car. Dealers need stock to replenish their forecourts after the surge in new car sales in March, and many buyers are looking for a more affordable alternative to a brand-new model.

"If you're considering selling, now is the time to act before the market becomes oversaturated with trade-ins."