Peugeot is the most reliable car brand as per 2019. J.D. Power U.K.

KUALA LUMPUR: According to the J.D. Power 2019 U.K. Vehicle Dependability Study, half of the ten most problematic issues of a new car are from the ACEN (audio or communication or entertainment or navigation) system. In the study, the organization measures the no. of issues faced per 100 vehicles (PP100). Lower scores in the test mean that the car is a better performer.

 

Total 177 symptoms are measured in the study, and these were divided into different categories that include vehicle’s exterior, features/controls/displays (FCD), ACEN, seats, driving experience, heating, vehicle interior, engine and transmission, and ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).

Among the car manufacturers, Peugeot has got the highest point of 77 PP100, while Skoda claimed the second spot with 88 PP100, followed by Hyundai at 90 PP100. On the other hand, Volvo reigns the top spot among the premium carmakers with 106 PP100, and Mercedes-Benz is at the second spot scoring 136 PP100.

The ACEN category performance in the latest study has been improved slightly over the last year with a score of 16.6 PP100. However, issues persist with the built-in voice recognition, built-in Bluetooth, poor radio reception, and navigation systems. This indicates that ACEN is still the most problem-prone categories in the car.

Josh Halliburton, European operations’ head at J.D. Power said, “When we look at the PP100 scores of relatively new safety technologies, it’s clear that manufacturers still have work to do to perfect those systems — particularly premium brands that use them as a major selling point”.

The newer safety systems including the lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring, and collision avoidance systems score 2.4 PP100. The volume brands get a score of 1.8 PP100, while the premium brands have recorded 4 PP100. On the other hand, the optional F.C. systems like alarm systems, cruise control, and keyless entry recorded 1.5 problems per 100 vehicles.