The most reliable car is the BMW 3-Series, according to the survey, retaining its number one position from 2010, while the Honda Accord retains its second place from 2010. What is more, German brands have caught up with Japanese cars when it comes to reliability. In other words - six German brands appear in the top 10 as three of them in the top five.

The final two places in the table are taken by two cars absent from the top 10 last year, with the Mazda6 taking ninth place and the BMW 5 Series securing 10th place. BMW also takes the top spot as the most reliable car manufacturer, with Audi taking second place.

"We are delighted to have won the overall honour in the FN50 reliability survey. The outgoing BMW 3 Series Saloon and the 3 Series range overall has been and continues to be an outstanding success for us.", commented Tim Abbott, managing director at BMW UK.

"Awards such as this ensure customers can buy a class-leading vehicle safe in the knowledge that only years of enjoyable, hassle free motoring in a premium car await.", he added.

The annual analysis is commissioned by Fleet News.

Check out all rankings, below!

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon

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Most reliable cars

  1. BMW 3 Series
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Volkswagen Golf
  4. Audi A3
  5. Toyota Avensis
  6. Nissan Qashqai
  7. Volkswagen Passat
  8. Audi A4
  9. Mazda6
  10. BMW 5 Series

Most reliable car manufacturers

  1. BMW
  2. Audi
  3. Honda
  4. Volkswagen
  5. Toyota
  6. Nissan
  7. Mercedes-Benz
  8. Ford
  9. Lexus
  10. Skoda

Most reliable vans

  1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  2. Ford Transit Connect
  3. Volkswagen Caddy
  4. Ford Transit
  5. Volkswagen Transporter

Most reliable van manufacturers

  1. Volkswagen
  2. Ford
  3. Mercedes-Benz
  4. Fiat
  5. Renault