It's not uncommon to see old cars being driven around in Malaysia. Some are better kept than others but what cars are on our streets because they are truly reliable and which ones are only still around because their owners would have to pay someone to take them? Here we look at the five most reliable cars in Malaysia in no particular order.

The first generation Honda Accord from 1976  was popular because it offered  great fuel economy and features like cloth seats, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, and an AM/FM radio as standard equipment. In 1978 an LX version of the hatchback was added which came with air conditioning, a digital clock, and power steering. Until the Accord, sub-2.0L cars didn't come with power steering.

http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/BMWE30edited-20131018-084018-183.jpg">http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/BMWE30edited-20131018-084018-183.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7226" title="The E30 BMW 3 Series was one of BMW's most successful models" alt="" height="420" width="630">The E30 BMW 3 Series was one of BMW's most successful models

The E30 BMW 3 Series is one of BMW's most successful models ever produced with a huge array of engines and body styles - saloon, coupé, touring and convertible - as well as an all-wheel drive variant. Such is its popularity that spare parts are not difficult to come by, further adding to its popularity.

http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/nissansunny130Ysize-20131018-084019-002.jpg">http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/nissansunny130Ysize-20131018-084019-002.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7227" title="An oldie and a toughie, the Nissan Sunny B11" alt="" height="493" width="630">An oldie and a toughie, the Nissan Sunny B11

Another oldie but toughie, the Datsun/Nissan Sunny 130Y. This is the version from the Nissan website but the Malaysian one had door-mounted wing mirrors and different rear lights. Even after the B12 Nissan Sunny had already been launched in the mid-80s, the B11 continued to be sold in Malaysia as a low-cost alternative. The B11 continued to be produced until the mid-90s.

http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/MercW123size-20131018-084019-878.jpg">http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/MercW123size-20131018-084019-878.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7228" title="The Mercedes-Benz W123, Merc's most successful model" alt="" height="420" width="630">The Mercedes-Benz W123, Merc's most successful model

In its time, the Mercedes-Benz W123 was Mercedes-Benz's most successful model selling over 2.7 million cars worldwide before it was superseded by the W124 model. Many fine examples in good condition are still running around. Most plentiful are the saloon models though there are a few stationwagons and coupés around. The car was so popular when it was launched that in Germany, there was even a black market, with a hefty premium on top of the original selling price, for Mercedes-Benz W123s. This was because there was a 12 month delivery time for the car from authorised dealers. The car came with a slew of the latest technology in its day including power assisted disc brakes (as standard); ABS on models after August 1980.

http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/ToyotaCorolla5thGensize-20131018-084017-423.jpg">http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/ToyotaCorolla5thGensize-20131018-084017-423.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7229" title="Toyota Corolla 5th generation - another 'bulletproof' car" alt="" height="414" width="630">Toyota Corolla 5th generation - another 'bulletproof' car

Toyota's best selling car worldwide by 1974, eight years after the model was introduced, the Corolla continues to be one of Toyota's most popular cars. Models from the 1980s, the fifth generation, were tough and resilient. After several 100,000s of miles, many are still going strong, a testament to the reliability that Toyota is famed for.