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Are modern cars less reliable?
Increasingly advanced technology and rapid development of models means cars aren't getting any more reliable, says Honest John at the Telegraph Festival of Motoring.
Modern cars have so much complex electronic equipment and are developed so quickly that they are no more reliable than older cars, says Telegraph Motoring's consumer advice expert Honest John.
In a video debate as part of the Telepraph Festival of Motoring, Honest John said: "The more technology, the more electronics, the more problems are going to occur."
The rapid pace of development and the need for manufacturers to enter lucrative new markets as quickly as possible is also responsible, he suggested.
"We've never seen such a fast pace of development," he said.
"There are more models of cars now than ever before and they're developed in quite a short time. They're not necessarily completely developed when they get to the customers. Problems are going to increase."
Increasingly strict safety and emissions legislation is also adding complexity, he points out: "This is the unholy alliance between the legislators and the manufacturers. If more complex equipment such as electronic stability control and tyre pressure monitors is legislated into cars, there's more stuff to go wrong.
"There gets to a point, probably after about seven years, where a car becomes an economic write-off. It's not worth spending what you'd have to spend on it to get it through its MoT.
"And then the manufacturer gets to sell another car."
When asked whether buyers are tempted by cars with less equipment he said: "People say they want cheaper, simpler cars, but they don't actually buy them. The top-selling
in India, where it's made, is the most expensive one."
Honest John suggests that, despite their seemingly advanced powertrains, hybrid and electric cars could buck the trend. "There are second-generation Toyota Prius taxis that have 400,000 or 500,000 kilometres on them, no problem. There's less to go wrong in a Prius than there is in a Focus."