Toyota swept J.D. Power and Associates 2013 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study  with its Lexus brand on top and by earning seven segment awards—more than any other automaker in 2013. General Motors received four segment awards and had Buick in place 6 and Chevrolet barely above average, while Volkswagen is an also-ran.

The study measures long-term dependability of three-year-old models. The dependability of models that were new or substantially redesigned for the 2010 model year averages 116 problems per 100, compared with 133 PP100 for models that were unchanged from the 2009 model-year.

“There is a perception that all-new models, or models that undergo a major redesign, are more problematic than carryover models,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. “Data from the 2013 VDS suggests that this is not the case. The rapid improvement in fundamental vehicle dependability each year is more than offsetting any initial glitches that all-new or redesigned models may have.”

Among the top three automakers, the study will cause sever finger pointing at Volkswagen that finds itself on rank 28 of 32. Even after Volkswagen’s former head of quality assurance, Martin Winterkorn, advanced to CEO, the brand languishes at the bottom of the scale, outclassed by “da scheppert nix” Hyundai and Kia.