For decades, German car manufacturers were known for building fun, luxurious, and over-engineered cars that would practically last forever.
In recent years, their reputation has taken a hit, to the point that many now claim they’re just overpriced and unreliable.
To find out if that’s actually true, we’ve used J.D. Power’s ratings to find some of the most reliable German cars available in dealerships today.
What we learned is that while the top spots are mostly held by certain Japanese carmakers, the Germans actually aren’t as far behind as the gossip will have you believe.
Porsche 911 — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 91/100
Who says reliable cars are boring? The Porsche 911 needs no introduction. It’s the most recognizable sports car on the planet, and as it turns out, it’s also one of the most reliable German models money can buy.
Porsche has perfected its rear-mounted boxer engine formula by now, which is reflected in its excellent 91/100 reliability score. It may be one of the priciest German cars on the market, but quality is rarely cheap.
BMW 4 Series — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 85/100
BMW introduced the 4 Series in 2013 as a 2-door spin-off from the 3 Series. It’s still only in its second generation, which arrived in 2020. During this time, BMW has made improvements to it, and the result is one of the most reliable German cars you can buy today.
The 420i M Sport and 430i both feature the same turbocharged 2.0-liter B48 inline-4 engine, which produces 181 and 255 horsepower, respectively.
Audi A3 — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 84/100
The subcompact Audi A3 executive car has been around since 1996, with the current fourth-gen version arriving in 2020. It’s longer and wider than its predecessor, and the styling is heavily influenced by Lamborgini, another brand owned by the Volkswagen Group.
With a very respectable reliability score of 84 out of 100, the Audi A3 should be a solid option that’ll provide years of trouble-free ownership.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 84/100
Weirdly, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door version of a two-door version of the brand’s four-door version. It’s confusing, we know. However, what’s not confusing is the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability score of 84/100.
Powered by turbocharged engines coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, owners can calmly cruise with the whole family or put it in Sport Mode and have some fun.
Mercedes-Benz CLA — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 83/100
Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLA as its first front-wheel drive model on the US market. Positioned above the A-Class and just below the C-Class, this luxury compact executive sedan quickly proved to be a bestseller.
Now in its second generation, Mercedes-Benz gave the CLA a facelift in 2023, which also included removing the manual transmission option.
BMW X3 — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 82/100
In recent years, BMW has suffered some quality issues, but judging by all the Bavarian entrants on this list, their issues seem to have been sorted out by now.
BMW’s compact luxury SUV earned an 82/100 reliability rating on J.D. Power in 2023, and that’s only one reason to consider buying it. Like other BMWs, it has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, excellent handling, and a luxurious interior.
BMW 5 Series — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 82/100
BMW’s 5 Series has long been one of the most desirable luxury sedans on the market—especially the sportier models that can put many two-seaters to shame around a racetrack. There’s a reason why BMW has dubbed it the “Business Athlete.”
The seventh generation of the BMW 5 Series managed an 82 out of 100 reliability score, far above average. Buyers can, of course, choose from different powerplants and trim levels, but those who are clever and want to save money will be happy to know it’s been in production since 2017, so there are plenty of used cars available.
BMW X5 — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 82/100
Another BMW that managed an 82/100 reliability score is the BMW X5, and this SUV just happens to be one of the best all-rounders on the market as well.
The interior is spacious, comfortable, stylish, and practical, making it a nice place to spend time. Exterior-wise, the latest generation looks stunning for an SUV, and under the hood, we find the usual suspects of BMW’s powerplant options.
Mercedes GLC — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 81/100
Mercedes-Benz wouldn’t let BMWs claim all the reliable SUV spots on this list, and the GLC can certainly give the X3 a run for its money. Scoring 81/100 for reliability, the GLC is bound to last for years to come.
The Mercedes GLC looks sophisticated and luxurious, and once you get behind the wheel, you’ll soon learn that it delivers a safe, comfortable, and classy driving experience. It can’t quite match the X3’s driving dynamics, but it feels just as solid, if not more so.
Volkswagen Jetta — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 81/100
We finally have a Volkswagen on here. Being the People’s Car, the Jetta is not as luxurious as many other German vehicles, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be reliable.
With a reliability score of 81/100, the Jetta matches, and even exceeds, many of the much more expensive models. For 2023, VW also gave it a facelift, both inside and out. It packs the necessary tech and gadgets you’d expect from a new car, and the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine provides enough power for all your everyday driving needs.
BMW 3-Series — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 80/100
Strangely, the iconic BMW 3 Series sedan isn’t as reliable as its two-door sibling. However, it’s still hard to beat if you want a fast and fun sports sedan that comes with some serious motorsport heritage.
In true BMW fashion, the 3 Series is very driver-focused, delivering a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and sublime driving dynamics. While its 80/100 reliability score isn’t the best on this list, it’s still much better than average.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 79/100
Mercedes’ S-Class is perhaps the most famous of all the German luxury sedans. Whereas older generations earned a reputation for being practically bulletproof, newer models have struggled with reliability issues that’s largely caused by all the fancy tech.
Scoring 79/100, the latest S-Class delivers reasonable reliability and all the luxury you could want. While expensive luxury vehicles tend to suffer from massive depreciation, largely because of massive maintenance bills, that doesn’t seem to bother some of the world’s most famous VIPs.
Porsche Panamera — J.D. Power Reliability Score: 74/100
Interestingly, Porsche occupies both the first and last spot on our list of reliable German cars. Remember that this list isn’t exhaustive, so the Porsche Panamera is not a bad car just because it’s in last place here.
The Panamera proved that Porsche could make a fun driver’s car that’s also practical when you have to transport the entire family. It packs everything we’ve come to expect from Porsche, such as a powerful engine, excellent suspension, massive brakes, and a high-quality interior.
