Lexus has topped the rankings in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey with “exemplary” standards across its model range.

The premium Japanese carmaker proved it was a hit with owners in the same month that its franchised car retailers voted it as the UK’s best automotive franchise partner in the bi-annual National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Dealer Attitude Survey.

Feedback from 24,927 car owners on 248 models and 32 brands revealed Lexus as the most dependable brand on the market with an overall score of 98.4%, followed by sister brand Toyota on 97.2%. 

Mini (97%), Mitsubishi (97%) and Hyundai (95.8%) followed in the top-ranked brands for the reliability of cars aged five years or younger.

At the other end of the scale, Jeep finished bottom of the rankings with a score of 77%, followed by Land Rover (81.4%), Fiat (86.4%), Alfa Romeo (87.3%) and Peugeot (87.4%) – delivering a bleak picture for Stellantis-owned brands.