If you want a used family SUV that’s likely to just get on with the job, new warranty data suggests the Toyota RAV4 is still one of the safest bets around.
Research from Warranty Solutions Group, based on warranty claims paid between May 2025 and April 2026, ranked the RAV4 as the UK’s most reliable used SUV, with a claim rate of just 9.78%.
That puts it ahead of the Dacia Duster and BMW X3, and reinforces the RAV4’s long-standing reputation as the dependable “do everything” SUV choice for families, company car drivers and high-mileage users alike.
And that’s really where the RAV4 has always made sense. It’s not the flashiest SUV on the road, but it’s roomy, comfortable, easy to drive and increasingly popular as a hybrid alternative to diesel family SUVs.
The research also highlights how important reliability becomes once cars move outside manufacturer warranty cover, especially as SUVs become heavier, more tech-filled and more expensive to repair.
Some of the findings were stark:
- Toyota RAV4: lowest claim rate at 9.78%
- Dacia Duster: 11.21% claim rate
- BMW X3: 15.93% claim rate
- Land Rover Discovery: highest claim rate at 48.89%
- Land Rover Defender: highest average repair bill at £1,293
Interestingly, the cheapest average repair costs came from the Jeep Compass, Nissan Qashqai and Volvo XC60.
For fleets and company car drivers thinking longer-term, it’s another reminder that reliability is about more than avoiding inconvenience. It’s also about downtime, repair costs and keeping drivers mobile.
