MINI & BMW Earn Top Spots in Quality

MINI & BMW are celebrating two victories in reliability. Europe’s largest automotive club has named the MINI, the X3 (made in the same factory the Countryman it about to be produced in) and the X5 as the most reliable in class.

Official Release: With two class victories and top marks for a host of other models, BMW and MINI have again performed excellently in the ADAC breakdown statistics. In the ranking list produced by Europe’s largest automobile club MINI emerged as the most reliable small car to take top spot in its class. Meanwhile, the BMW X3 and BMW X5 secured first and second places in the off-roader class. The two Sports Activity Vehicles suffered the fewest breakdowns due to technical problems in their segment, regardless of registration date. The BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series range also earned top marks for an extremely low breakdown rate, putting them among the star performers in their respective segments in terms of reliability. The latest ADAC breakdown statistics include all models achieving more than 10,000 registrations in Germany in 2009.

The most comprehensive and representative reliability analysis covering all cars sold in Germany has again confirmed the high quality and reliability of BMW and MINI models. The latest statistics are based on analysis of over two million call-outs handled by the ADAC road patrol staff – popularly known as “yellow angels” – in 2009. In all the vehicle categories, BMW and MINI models are among the vehicles providing the least work for the “yellow angels”. Regardless of the vehicle segment, the probability of suffering a breakdown in a BMW or MINI is exceptionally small – proof that the high quality standards of the BMW Group apply across all its model series.

The ADAC calculate what they refer to as breakdown ratios to compile the ranking lists in the various vehicle classes. These figures are calculated using the breakdown frequency and registration figures of each model over the last six registration years. This list shows that BMW Group vehicles are among the most reliable in their categories, not only when newly registered, but also – thanks to an enduring level of premium quality – over later years. For example, MINI models registered between 2005 and 2009 are given the top mark “very good” (denoting extremely infrequent breakdown). The BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series also stand out with their consistent level of reliability. All the model series achieve the top marks for cars registered between 2006 and 2009. The BMW X3 and BMW X5 – which have been included in the statistics since 2004 and 2007 respectively – have also been awarded the top rating “very good” without exception. These positive ratings enable the BMW Group to build on its outstanding showing in the ADAC breakdown statistics from earlier years, as well as in other studies carried out into the reliability and quality of cars. Their success has come as the result of a rigorous application of extremely high quality standards. The company’s premium claim spans the entire product creation process and includes vehicle development and material selection, as well as manufacturing processes across the BMW Group’s global production network. This gives customers the peace of mind that, by purchasing a BMW or MINI they will be able to enjoy not only exceptional driving pleasure, but also unbeatable quality and reliability.