Hamburg  - Lexus cars are the most reliable vehicles on the used car market in all age categories, according to an independent report released by the German technical authority (GTU).

In the category of four- to five-year-old vehicles where owners changed most frequently the Lexus IS was found to have only 12.1 technical faults per 100 vehicles.

This reliability advantage increased even more in the age group

six to seven years with a figure of 9.6 per 100 vehicles while the second-placed vehicle had a technical fault quota of 33.1 per cent.

In the premium class, the Lexus LS topped the list in the eight- to nine-year-old and nine- to eleven-year-old vehicles by a huge margin, the GTU said.

The GTU compiled its reliability list on the basis of five million roadworthiness tests it conducted with special emphasis placed on safety-related parts such as brakes, steering and chassis. Other defects such as on electronics, engine parts and exhaust were also considered. (dpa)