Europeans have a long history of churning out fantastic automobiles. Since Karl Benz patented his Patent-Motorwagen back in 1886, we have witnessed the industry grow and spread out across the UK, Germany, Italy among other EU countries. In that time, many eras of invention came and went, leaving us with iconic classic cars that are highly sought after by collector’s world over.
Classic cars come in different conditions, and collectors prefer them when they stay as authentic as possible to their original design and form. Consequently, the good and bad are retained, and all reliability issues the car had in its heydays live on. If they were solidly built, they would stand the test of time and likely serve you honestly years later if well maintained.
Now, classic car owners, especially those getting into the hobby, want a car they can rely on, and sometimes a classic can be driven daily without breaking down every two minutes. Here are the most reliable European classic cars money can buy.
10 Audi Quattro
The ‘OG’ Audi Quattro has been around for over thirty years, yet it can give many modern cars a lesson in performance. A car knows no compromise and has it all; devastating performance, excellent handling, and most importantly, solid reliability. It was one of the first cars to include all-wheel drive, and following several winning exploits, the Quattro helped set AWD as the gold standard for rally cars.
The 80s Quattro is easily one of the most reliable Audis ever made. Modern Quattros are less robust than the original ones, that still maintain their performance and efficiency.
9 Mercedes W123
Mercedes makes good engines that can last well north of 250,000 miles if looked after well. It is the electricals that pose the most reliability issue. That said, the Mercedes W123 Series was one of the finest and most reliable sedans made in the 20th Century, with bulletproof engines and crafted to the point of over-engineering.
Buying a W123 today is a wise investment, as you will get a comfortable, reliable car that does its job perfectly and has held it up for over 40 years.
8 Volkswagen Beetle
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The VW Beetle is as ideal as it gets when looking for an entry-level classic car. Despite its strange shape and far-sighted design, the bug will surprise you with its comfort over long-distance travel. It can also squeeze four adults inside its tiny footprint. But it’s the car’s rugged reliability and easy maintenance that made it gain its popularity globally.
Twenty-one million units of the Beetle were sold while remaining essentially unchanged in over six decades. The car will be around for much longer, even though it is no longer in production. Even if yours breaks down, parts won’t be a big deal with millions of them out there and a massive aftermarket.
7 Saab 900 Turbo
Today, practically all modern hot hatch cars have a turbocharged engine; from the VW GTI, Civic Type R, to the Fiat Abarth and Hyundai Veloster N. This is all thanks to the Saab 900 Turbo, the first modern hot hatch to boast a turbo.
The Saab 900 Turbo was extremely robust and reliable, as it was with all Saab cars before GM acquired the Swedish manufacturer and ruined everything. The cars are rare today and shape into valuable collectibles despite their quirky styling, and most are still being used as daily drivers.
6 Porsche 944
The Porsche 944 has seen its value rise incredibly quickly over recent times, making it an excellent time to acquire and enjoy one of the more affordable entries into the classic Porsche owners’ club. The car has a reputation of being robust and reliable, specifically if you can lay your hands on an 83-85 model. They have a high survival rate today, proving their build quality.
Though pricey to maintain, the 944 can be a reliable daily-driven classic if you keep maintenance up to date. Also, did we mention you get the cool pop-up headlights?
5 VW Golf GTI Mk1
The MK1 GTI is a genuine icon of its time that helped define a new breed of modern hot hatchbacks. Every gear head knows this ‘boy racer per excellence’ that gave power to the people, with its rough edges and all. Given it’s a Golf, supreme reliability comes without question.
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Today, many Golf GTI MK1s have fallen victim to rust, but those that were taken good care of still retain the original charm. Parts are readily available, and the engine is easy to work on, making restoration jobs a breeze. Also, if you don’t mind the absence of an aircon, you can drive the MK1 on the daily.
4 Volvo P1800
This two-seater coupe dripped so much class in its day that Roger Moore drove it on the hit series ‘The Saint’. The Swedish carmaker rarely makes coupes, but the P1800 was one of the prettiest and most reliable coupes ever made.
As proof of its build quality and durability, one P1800 entered the Guinness Book of Records for clocking more than 3 million miles, a record it still holds for a personal vehicle. Also, the P1800 appeared in many endurance races, finishing 84{7b5a5d0e414f5ae9befbbfe0565391237b22ed5a572478ce6579290fab1e7f91} of the 164 official races it started.
3 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL
The 560 SL was the last of the revered W107 Series, which were in production between 1972 and 1989. It was the most powerful and the heaviest SL when it made its debut in 1986; although its potent 5.6-liter V8 barely found any trouble hauling the weight, as evident by the car’s 140mph top speed.
Since its heydays, the 560Sl has upheld its reputation as a robust, reliable, and classically-styled luxury car. Today, it is still lovely to drive and powerful enough to keep up with the best on the expressway.
2 BMW E30
The BMW E30 is remarkably reliable once you get some unavoidable jobs done on the car by a seasoned E30 mechanic. While it is susceptible to rust and damage like any other car, a well-maintained E30 can easily go over a million miles since they have robust engines. The car had a high level of build quality and engineering. With high production numbers, parts are easily accessible today.
They are hard to beat down, as many of them have been converted into track and drift machines, and they go about the business with the toughness of a modern sports car.
1 Porsche 911
The early Porsche 911 models were almost magical; they were immaculately well-built machines that delivered a driving experience unparalleled by any sports car of the era. The 911 has remained essentially unchanged for more than five decades, while ranking highest for trouble-free ownership shows the car’s long-standing reliability and durability.
The 911 is one of the most identifiable car profiles on the road, and while owners have to do with a few minor issues here and there, the car has stood the test of time has been an engineering marvel since 1964. Indeed, a must-have classic for any car collector.
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