Problems experienced by new car owners at delivery and during the first two years of ownership are at their lowest level since research firm J.D.Power and Associates began measuring car customer satisfaction seven years ago, writes David Duffy.

The company's latest UK Car Quality Study shows that problems needing repair have fallen by 23 per cent in the past three years.

On average, owners reported 164 repair problems per100 cars this year (1.64 per car), a five per cent improvement on 1999. Manufacturers showing major improvement this year include Hyundai, Vauxhall, BMW and Volvo, while Honda returns to the top of the rankings with owners reporting just 86 problems per 100 cars - less than one per car.

The level of problems with new cars when the owner first takes delivery shows an even more marked improvement, leading to a 40 per cent rise in delivery quality over the past three years.

Heading the delivery quality rankings is Jaguar, with only 15 per cent of Jaguar owners reporting any problems at all at delivery.

Some aspects of quality show little change, however, including the ability of dealers to fix those problems that do occur.

For instance, almost 60 per cent of squeaks and rattles reported by owners remain unresolved after two years of car ownership.

Dave Sargent, partner and director of European Operations at J.D.Power and Associates, said: "These are often non-critical but annoying problems that lead to customer disappointment with their vehicle and with the dealer."