Skoda drivers are most satisfied with their cars

The Yeti wins and Skoda takes the top three places in annual satisfaction survey of more than 50,000 drivers

Skoda Yeti satisfied drivers
The Skoda Yeti is the most satisfying car to own, according to a survey of 50,000 motorists

The Skoda Yeti has won the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey for the third year in a row, while the Czech manufacturer took the top three places.

But it wasn't just Skodas that impressed British buyers – the survey reveals that satisfaction levels have increased significantly from when the poll was launched in 2002.

In 2014, the average satisfaction rating of a car in the Driver Power Top 100 was 88.36 per cent – a rise of 7 percentage points over the comparable figure of 81.75 per cent in 2002.

The Skoda Yeti recorded an overall score of 92.7 per cent, with the Citigo and Superb taking close second and third places with 92.6 per cent and 91.6 per cent respectively. The Yeti was voted easiest car to drive, and the Citigo the most affordable to run.

Skoda drivers are most satisfied with their cars

Skoda has gone from a laughing stock to topping owner satisfaction surveys

Completing the top 10 are the BMW 5-series, Kia Rio, MG6, Toyota Prius, BMW 1-series, Renault Captur and Kia Cee'd.

Audi, Peugeot and Volkswagen have the most cars in the Driver Power Top 100, with seven models each, while 32 cars make their Driver Power debuts.

Off-roaders and SUVs are the most popular class, accounting for 31 of the top 150 cars. The biggest faller is the VW Golf Mk4, which has plummeted 73 places from the 2013 survey.

The highest individual score in any category is the Volvo V70 Mk3's 99.44 per cent for practicality.

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The worst individual category score was the Rover Range Rover Sport Mk1's rating of 65.63 per cent for running costs.

Steve Fowler, the editor in chief of Auto Express, said: "The UK car market is booming with over two years of consecutive growth and new car registrations up three per cent, and it is no surprise given the Driver Power results. Britons are happier than ever with their cars, scoring their vehicles much more highly than in previous years.

"Skoda has done a brilliant job of building cars that people love. It entered the crossover class with the Yeti in 2009 and it proved an instant hit. The car's appeal hasn't waned, and the company kept its latest update very simple."

The best performing British-built car was the MG6, which is assembled at Longbridge, West Midlands, with an overall satisfaction rating of 90.9 per cent.

"The MG6 marked the dawn of a new era for the British brand and has proven very popular with owners," said Fowler.