‘They refuse to die’ says mechanic urging drivers to pick up ‘old school’ classic that still runs despite a major fault

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A MECHANIC has urged drivers to pick up a classic motor that runs despite a major fault.

The reliable vehicle is the best investment a driver can make as it works despite the need for engine repair.

TikTok/royaltyautoserviceHonda ran despite having a hole in the engine block[/caption]

Credit: Car Collection / Alamy Stock PhotoAn expert said 1997 Honda Accord is a car that ‘refuses to die’[/caption]

An “old school” 1997 Honda Accord with 265,000 miles “refuses to die”, according to the motor expert.

The resilient ride was brought in for service after the owner refilled the oil but the car failed to start.

After the engine started up and made some unsettling noises, the mechanic remarked, “It’s kind of hard to kill a Honda.”

After putting the Honda on a lift, a hole in the engine block could be spotted underneath the car.

Despite the significant damage, the Accord managed to run and drive up to the repair shop – a testament to its durability.

But drivers don’t have to limit themselves to Honda if they are looking for a reliable, un-killable vehicle.

One savvy expert has revealed six reliable motors for under £4,000 from estates to SUVs, rather than just the typical cramped hatchbacks.

A team of specialists from Warrantywise shared their list of motors you can count on amid rising repair bills and a cost of living crisis.

The experts gave each model a reliability rating out of 100 based on “precise and quantifiable” data from their customers.

This took into account how often drivers claimed for repairs on a particular car, the average age and mileage of the car at the time of the claims and the average time the repairs took.

The analysis found that Toyota was the most reliable manufacturer overall, with four of its models cracking the top 10.

Indeed, Japanese cars scored highly in general, with offerings from Mazda, Honda and Suzuki also appearing on the list.

There was also praise for South Korean carmaker Kia, which was represented twice in the results.

Only one European car made the cut, with the Peugeot 107 clocking in at joint eight alongside the Honda CR-V, both with a reliability rating of 83.4.

But at the top end, it was an Asian lockout as the Toyota Auris and Mazda 2 tied for third and the Suzuki Swift came second.

It was Toyota’s Yaris that clinched the top spot, standing clear of the rest with an 89.0 reliability rating.

And even when they do break down, the research found that the highest repair bills owners faced in the period from 2020 to 2023 were all less than £3,000.

In fact, while the Hilux was on the pricier end to buy at £10,000, the highest bill an owner faced in that time was just over £1,000.

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