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German research organization and expertise in automotive TUV published list of car models that have the highest failure rate, almost the least reliable cars tested in 2010. Cars analyzed were divided into four categories according to age: 10-11 years, 8-9 years, 6-7 years and 2-3 years.

To achieve the top, the Germans took into account the damage rate to 1,000 cars in the same model, defects discovered after the periodical technical inspections. For example, Dacia Logan occupies the sixth position from the tail, in the category of 2-3 years old, of 1,000 cars tested, the rate of defects discovered at 11 units.

The final classification resulted from more than 7 million technical inspections made between July 2009 and July 2010. Of all the cars tested, 52% had no defect and only minor damage to 28%.

The most common defects discovered on the ramp test were lighting at front and rear axles and brakes.

Top of the least reliable cars 10-11 years old

1.       Ford Ka

2.       Ford Mondeo

3.       Skoda Felicia

4.       Seat Alhambra

5.       Alfa Romeo 156

6.       Ford Galaxy

7.       Citroen Berlingo

8.       Fiat Bravo

9.       Renault Twingo

10.   Volkswagen Sharan

Top of the least reliable cars 8-9 years old

1.       Fiat Stilo

2.       Renault Kangoo

3.       Seat Alhambra

4.       Volkswagen Sharan

5.       Renault Laguna

6.       Alfa Romeo 147

7.       Ford Galaxy

8.       Alfa Romeo 156

9.       Ford Ka

10.   Mercedes-Benz ML

Top of the least reliable cars 6-7 years old

1.       Kia Carnival

2.       Seat Alhambra

3.       Volkswagen Sharan

4.       Fiat Stilo

5.       Ford Galaxy

6.       Alfa Romeo 147

7.       Renault Laguna

8.       Renault Kangoo

9.       Renault Espace

10.   Renault Clio

Top of the least reliable cars 2-3 years old

1.       Kia Carnival

2.       Hyundai Atos

3.       Fiat Doblo

4.       Volvo XC 90

5.       Peugeot 407

6.       Dacia Logan

7.       Citroen C2

8.       Renault Espace

9.       Citroen C5

10.   Peugeot 307

REMARK: TÜV Rheinland is a global provider of technical, safety and certification services. Originally called the Dampfkessel-Überwachungs-Vereine (Steam Boiler Inspectorate), TÜV Rheinland was founded in 1872 and has its headquarters in Cologne, Germany. Renamed the TÜV Rheinland (Technical Inspections Organization) group in 1936, it employs more than 12,000 people in 360 locations in 62 countries and generates annual revenues of € 1.1 billion (40% outside of Germany). The group's guiding principle is to achieve sustained development of safety and quality in order to meet the challenges arising from the interaction between man, technology and the environment (thus the triangular logo).

TÜV Rheinland has bundled its more than 2.500 services into a portfolio of 42 global business fields. These are again combined into 6 business streams: Industrial Services (TÜV Rheinland Industrie Service), Mobility (TÜV Rheinland Mobilität), Products (TÜV Rheinland Produkte), Life Care (TÜV Rheinland Leben und Gesundheit), Training and Consulting (TÜV Rheinland Bildung und Consulting) and Systems (Systeme). The areas of testing include motor vehicles, industrial facilities and plants as well as consumer goods. Consumer goods for example can be tested and certified according to the German GS Mark by TÜV Rheinland. Today TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in the areas of toy- and furniture testing as well as in the assessment and certification of Photovoltaics.