BMW has been named as the most reliable manufacturer following research into nearly 900,000 cars operated by 50 of the UK's biggest leasing companies.

This is the second time the German luxury carmaker has topped the poll carried out by Fleet News and financial consultants Grant Thornton.

The FN50 reliability survey covers 840,000 cars and asks leasing companies to assess reliability according to the number of breakdowns per model in their fleet.
 
The BMW Group's dominant position in this year's survey is re-enforced by the fact it also has three entries in the top 10 most reliable cars. The BMW 3 Series was named in second place, the BMW 5 Series fifth and the British-built MINI in eighth place.
 
Stephen Briers, Editor of Fleet News, said the study is one of the largest vehicle reliability surveys of its kind and it reviews a market where new cars are subjected to some of the most testing conditions they will ever face on the road.

As a result, being listed anywhere in the table is a major achievement. However, to be named most reliable is a real testament to the hard work and commitment from a manufacturer to produce cars that British businesses can rely on every day, he added.

Runners up in the FN50 reliability survey were Honda, with Audi in third place. Meanwhile the Honda Civic was named as the most reliable car.