An expert mechanic has revealed which car brand he trusts the most, and the vehicle in question has been driven and reviewed first-hand.
Mechanic's top pick: Toyota
Speaking to the Telegraph, mechanic Robert Hannah named Toyota as the brand he trusts the most. He highlighted the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, saying: “I never see them coming through the garage requiring engine repairs. They’re cheap to run and fairly cheap to purchase.”
The Yaris Hybrid was recently reviewed by Reach Plc, with the journalist comparing it to the Vauxhall Corsa hybrid in a twin test. The Toyota won out overall.
Why the Toyota won the comparison
The reviewer chose the Toyota over the Vauxhall because of its superior handling, despite the Vauxhall being the more comfortable car. He explained: “It’s more fun, and it appeals to me more. Both cars are good, solid seven out of tens, but the Toyota appeals to me just that little bit more for its usability, handling, the sound of its engine, and how it felt like a better road trip car too.”
Toyota tops reliability survey
The mechanic's trust in Toyota is echoed by a survey from Auto Express. The Toyota Aygo X, a city car, came top in the Driver Power Survey, which asked owners about the reliability of their cars.
Auto Express noted the Aygo X had good “ride quality and braking performance” and added: “Japanese cars have been a common sight in the Driver Power reliability results over the years, and 2026 is officially Toyota’s time to shine. The Toyota Aygo X takes top honours this year as the most reliable car in the UK… The city car sector is fiercely competitive, but the Toyota Aygo X clearly nails its brief and has been a hit with its owners.”
Coming in a close second behind the Toyota was the Mazda CX-30 SUV and the Tesla Model 3.
