10 Most Reliable German Cars From The Last Decade (2024)

Every continent has one country that represents them in terms of car production. Asia has Japan, which hosts some of the biggest automotive manufacturers, with the likes of Honda, Toyota, Subaru and Lexus. With Europe, it is not as straightforward as it may seem. Italy hosts exotic and outstanding sports brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. England has luxurious brands, such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce. While these may be extravagant manufacturers, one country stands out the most for its renowned engineering habits.

Germany has been at the forefront of automotive production since the very conception of road-going vehicles. The manufacturer trio Audi, BMW, and Mercedes have offered somewhat affordable yet luxurious entries, while Porsche has been pushing the racing envelope more and more into its road-going cars. Volkswagen, while not regarded as luxurious or as sporty, offers amazingly affordable and reliable products. Out of these manufacturing giants, here are the most reliable German cars from the last decade.

10 2017 Audi Q5

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 82

Starting off the list is Audi's mid-sized Q5 entry, which entered its segment in 2008. The Q5 goes against the lights of the Honda CR-V, offering a competitive and luxurious option. While this vehicle is renowned for boasting superior reliability, the Q5 is not far behind. The upscaled, premium experience might be worth the very small downgrade in reliability compared to Japanese alternatives.

While earlier models were much less dependable, the second generation, which started with the 2017 model, improved massively on this flaw. Consumer Reports also indicate improved reliability ratings, with the second-gen scoring a solid four out of five for reliability.

9 2016 Audi A3

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 83

The compact family vehicle Audi A3 has won various awards over its lifetime, such as the 2014 World Car of the Year by the World Car Awards group. While the A3 is not highly regarded as an ultra-reliable family vehicle, the accolades it has achieved solidify it in its respective segment.

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The A3 is a luxurious and reliable vehicle, highlighted not only by J.D. Powers' rating but also by What Car?. The What Car group pointed out that the A3 is, on average, more reliable than most other vehicles from the manufacturer. With a 93.6% reliability rating, it overtakes other compact sedans such as the Ford Focus, Volvo V40, and many more. As long as you keep on top of maintenance, the A3 will not pose any problems.

8 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 84

Launched back in 2007, the Tiguan was originally based on the Golf platform. It is the brand's first compact SUV, offering a refined and upscale option in this competitive segment of the market. The combined practicality of an SUV, the sportiness of a Golf, and the reliability of the brand. Reliability-wise, J.D. Power has ranked the 2016 model quite a bit above average, having both gas and diesel offerings that have been highly praised for their sturdy internal components.

7 2015 Audi Q3

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 85

The Audi Q3 presents a contemporary compact SUV that boasts luxury and reliability status. Unlike the smaller and less popular Q2, the Q3 always saw incremental improvements along its time on the market, keeping it at the front of its segment. Despite being somewhat underpowered, its 2.0-liter inline-four engine has been praised for its durability.

6 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 86

The C-Class has been phased out slowly from production back in 2023, but despite not being actively in production, this mid-sized luxury offering is still a reliable choice for those who are keen. While the 2014 variant scores outstanding reliability figures, it can also accommodate for a sportier experience with the C63 AMG. Despite its sportier nature, the reliability status of this year's models still shines through.

5 2018 Volkswagen Jetta

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 86

The Jetta has been through seven generations here in the U.S. market, which, with the help of the Golf model, competes with most of the compact segments on the market. The 2018 model is not only a reliable option, but also offers a family-friendly compact option that is a bit cheaper than the other German manufacturers' offerings.

The 2017 model received a reliability rating from Repair Pal of 4.0 out of five. CoPilot advises buyers to avoid early 2010s models due to their average reliability, whereas the 2018 and 2011 models are the most reliable out of the 2010s. Both these years they received the most solid Consumer Report Ratings.

4 2013 Audi A4

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 87

The A4 builds on the aspects that the A3 misses out on, coming in sedan and wagon body types. The first body was dropped in 2009, that being a cabriolet. The A4 excels in performance and reliability. Reliability-wise, the early 2010s models excel, with the 2013 model getting above-average reported ratings. These performance and reliability levels are more than enough to go against their Japanese counterparts, such as the Kia Stinger and Lexus IS. What Car? reported that many owners complained about the battery on their A4, so keep an eye on that.

3 2016 BMW 5-Series

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 88

Excellently building on the foundation laid by the smaller 3-Series, the 5-Series sits at the top of business sedans. The mid-sized model has a well-crafted reputation for being reliable yet engaging top drive, explaining why it is one of the manufacturers' best-selling models. The 2016 model still boasts an up-to-date interior that is as comfortable as it was when it was first rolled out. The 2015–2019 models have been deemed ultra-reliable, to the point where only the Genesis G80 is above it.

2 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 88

The elephant in the room must be addressed, and that is, despite being a big competitor outside the German offerings, some newer Mercedes simply fall short in reliability compared to the other German giants. But the E-Class offerings from the early 2010s are a huge compromise. The 2010 to 2016 W212 model scored well-above-average reliability ratings, according to Consumer Reports. The newer W213, which was introduced in 2018, still offers good reliability in a more modern shell, but the E-Class remains at the top.

1 2013 BMW 1 Series

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score — 89

Coming in at number one is the second-gen BMW 1 Series, which was built between 2011 and 2019. This reliable German vehicle has received a lot of praise from owners and even mechanics for its reliable, luxurious, and price-aware package. Having these boxes ticked off, the BMW 1 Series is also described to be an entertaining and athletic vehicle, with very few other competitors being able to offer this overall performance.

The F20 1 Series Bimmer has a variety of engine options, ranging from a small yet economical 1.6-liter four-potter to a 3.0-liter inline six that sits proudly in the hot hatch space. J.D. Power has rated the 2013 variant of the 1 Series an impressive 89 out of 100 for reliability, a true achievement for a hatchback.