As Brits face rising living costs, it is not surprising that the average age of cars on our roads has reached an all-time high. Records show the typical motor owned by UK drivers is nearly 10 years old, at nine years and ten months. A decade ago, the average age of a car was reportedly seven years and five months.

This tells a story about the tightening purse strings of drivers who cannot afford to splash out on replacement vehicles. It also signals that cars are being built to a higher standard than ever before.

Data shared with the Daily Mail has revealed that the most reliable car is the Toyota Yaris. A used model costs £5,400, has an average repair bill of £651, and has a highest repair bill of £2,312.

Used car warranty provider Warrantywise has analysed its Reliability Index to identify the eight-to 12-year-old model (first registered between 2013 and 2017) with the highest score.

For those on a tight budget, this model has the best options for avoiding breakdowns and costly repair bills. It has below-average mileage and can be had for as little as £3,000.

Antony Diggins, managing director at Warrantywise, said: "With cars on the road for longer than ever before, our data reveals some surprising insights about which models truly deliver long-term value.

"While Toyota and Honda continue to dominate for reliability, what's particularly striking is how repair costs can vary dramatically even among dependable vehicles.

"This transparency is crucial as drivers navigate an increasingly complex used car market."

Here is the most reliable older car - and how much it typically costs second-hand today.

For seasoned petrolheads, it will be little surprise to see the Yaris as the most reliable vehicle.

Toyota is synonymous with reliability, and the Yaris has been a trademark of its robust build quality for decades.

The third-generation car was on sale between 2011 and 2020, and buyers can pick up a 2015 example with less than 60,000 miles on the clock for about £5,400. Alongside this, breakdowns, faults are rare, and repair bills are relatively cheap.

Warrantywise said it "consistently ranks as both dependable and budget-friendly for long-term ownership".