Best used executive cars for reliability: What Car? ranking

© A. Krivonosov

The used executive-car market has received a fresh update from WhatCar experts. Topping their reliability ranking, the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia secured a confident 98.2%. The Giulia doesn’t often headline such lists, yet years of ownership have shown it to be among the most resilient to faults — an outcome that feels well-earned after time on real roads.

Close behind are long-proven German sedans: the BMW 3 Series with a petrol engine (from 2019) and the Skoda Superb (from 2015). Both posted an impressive 98% reliability score. Also featured are the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Jaguar XE and XF, and the Volkswagen Passat — a spread that mirrors what buyers actually cross-shop in this class.

Notably, the list blends traditional diesel and petrol variants with relatively new electric models. The ranking points out that age doesn’t always work against a car: many of these models handle 5–10 years of use without major attention. With new 2025 cars continuing to rise in price, choosing a dependable used executive model looks like a sensible move — and in everyday driving, a well-kept example tends to deliver exactly that, doing the job without fuss.