Which brand should you choose when buying a used car to minimise the risk of breakdowns? Owners’ accounts provide useful pointers, especially when compiled in a proper survey. But the answer changes depending on whether you measure problems reported to garages, breakdowns that leave vehicles stranded or satisfaction behind the wheel.
For a buyer in Belgium, two sources help clarify the picture: the Testachats survey published in January 2026, which includes Belgian owners, and the ADAC 2026 breakdown statistics. They do not identify an “unbreakable” car; they help you build a shortlist before checking the particular vehicle on offer.
The short answer: Lexus stands out among owners
In the Testachats survey published on 19 January 2026, Lexus tops the brand rankings for reliability, followed by Toyota, Suzuki and Subaru. Responses were collected in spring 2025 from tens of thousands of consumer association members in ten countries, including Belgium. The cars concerned were more than six months old and less than twelve years old.
BMW ranks twelfth in this survey’s brand ranking. The survey also highlights the petrol Audi A1 1.0 from the 2018 generation onwards among the well-ranked models. These results describe the vehicles studied; they cannot promise the same performance for every engine and model year.
Our take on starting your search: use these results to draw up a shortlist, then check each version. Next, compare the models within your budget, their maintenance and their suitability for your journeys. A highly ranked brand never removes the need to examine the car.
Why owners and breakdown statistics tell different stories
| Type of information | What it helps you understand | Limitation to bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Owner survey | Problems experienced with the cars studied. | Results depend on the respondents, versions and period observed. |
| Roadside assistance statistics | Breakdowns that required assistance within the scope of the study. | A fault that does not leave the vehicle stranded may fall outside this scope. |
| Individual review or forum | A specific symptom or an experience to investigate further. | A single account does not represent all owners. |
The ADAC 2026 analyses breakdowns in Germany in 2025 for vehicles registered from 2016 to 2023. It highlights good results for Audi, BMW and Mercedes, specifically naming the Audi A3 and A4, BMW 1 Series and 3 Series, and Mercedes A-Class, B-Class and GLB among the model ranges performing well in their categories.
The same study highlights 12-volt battery problems on several Toyota models, despite the brand’s strong position in the owner survey. The scope and type of problem therefore matter just as much as the manufacturer’s name.
A reliability ranking is a shortlisting tool. Before deciding to buy, you still need to check the generation, engine, year and actual condition of the particular vehicle.
BMW, Audi or Mercedes: how do you choose a used car?
These three brands may feature in your search, but the sources cited do not identify a universal winner across all their cars. To choose between them, compare models of a similar category and age, then examine the invoices and potential trouble spots for each version.
BMW: start with a specific model
Do not compare a recent small compact car with an older large SUV simply because they carry the same badge. Identify the generation, exact engine variant, transmission and maintenance work already carried out.
If BMW is on your shortlist, you can go straight to the BMW search on OnLa.be. For each listing that interests you, note the year, mileage, engine and available supporting documents before arranging a viewing.
Audi: check what lies behind the model name
The same model name can cover several generations, engines and gearboxes. A recommendation for one version should not automatically be extended to all the others. Ask the seller for the exact details and check them against the vehicle’s documents.
The Audi search on OnLa.be lets you start comparing. Choose two or three comparable listings and prepare the same list of questions for their sellers: this will make their histories easier to assess.
Mercedes: examine the equipment too
Beyond the engine, test the air conditioning, electric adjustments, driver assistance systems and all advertised equipment. A purchase that looks comfortable on paper may become less appealing if several functions need repairing.
You can go directly to the Mercedes search on OnLa.be. Look at what is included in the price and ask for supporting documents for recent work, rather than focusing only on the trim level or power.
Reliable does not necessarily mean inexpensive to maintain
An infrequent breakdown and an affordable repair are two different matters. Before buying, find out the cost of the work expected for your chosen version: servicing, tyres, brakes and any work already flagged.
Build your budget with four separate items: purchase price, costs of getting the car on the road, expected maintenance and a contingency fund. Also request an insurance quote and check the taxes applicable to the vehicle and your Region.
For a hybrid or electric car, ask for the available information on the traction battery, any warranty terms that still apply and the charging accessories. Do not confuse this battery with the 12-volt battery that powers some of the equipment.
How to use other drivers’ reviews
Search for the full model name along with its generation, engine and gearbox. A review of “a BMW” or “a Toyota” is too vague to base a decision on. Compare accounts that match the vehicle you are actually considering.
- Clarify the context: year, mileage, length of ownership and types of journeys.
- Look for recurring symptoms: they suggest questions to ask and points to have checked.
- Distinguish breakdowns from wear: a replacement scheduled as part of maintenance does not mean the same thing as a recurring fault.
- Check the solutions: ask whether a repair, update or recall has already been carried out.
- Avoid turning one account into a verdict: one very good or very bad individual experience is not enough to rank a brand.
Reviews are particularly useful when preparing for a test drive. They are less useful when treated as a guarantee that the particular vehicle you buy will never break down.
Questions to send the seller before a viewing
To save time, ask for a few specific answers before travelling to view the car:
- What is the exact engine variant, and which gearbox does the vehicle have?
- Are the service invoices available?
- What repairs have been carried out, and what faults are known?
- Are there any warning lights on, unusual noises or intermittent problems?
- Have any recalls applicable to the vehicle been addressed?
- Which documents will be provided, and what is the status of the roadworthiness inspection?
- Will the seller agree to an independent inspection before purchase?
During the viewing, take an appropriate test drive, test the equipment and consider an inspection by an independent professional. A car that ranks well in a study may have been poorly maintained; a listing cannot verify its mechanical condition.
In Belgium, check the history and documents too
When selling a used vehicle already registered in Belgium to a private buyer, the seller must generally provide a recent Car-Pass, no more than two months old. Consult the official Car-Pass guidance for the conditions and exceptions.
Check that the mileage and vehicle documents are consistent. The Car-Pass provides historical information, but it does not replace a mechanical inspection. If you plan to drive in a low-emission zone, check the vehicle’s eligibility on the relevant city’s official website before committing.
Which brand should you choose in the end?
There is no universal choice that suits every budget and every type of journey. Surveys help guide your search; the history and inspection then allow you to assess the particular vehicle you are interested in.
Our advice: choose a few versions suited to your journeys, compare their histories and have the car checked before buying. If one of the three German brands interests you, the links above take you directly to its search on OnLa.be. You can move from rankings to a practical shortlist without forgetting the essential checks.
Sources consulted on 8 October 2026: Testachats survey published on 19 January 2026, ADAC 2026 statistics published on 23 April 2026 and official Car-Pass information. The results relate to the samples and periods studied; the linked listings are not certified by these organisations.
Discussion
Sign in on the main website to leave a comment.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.