Modern cars are more reliable than those in the past.

[sussex2]

My bottom line is that modern vehicles, whether they drive, sail, or fly, are much more reliable and better made than even a decade ago.

[WhoseGeneration]

They, modern cars, can be more of a pain (more colouful language is available) to work on though, as last Sunday showed me.
Lack of space due to modern packaging.
Plus, some forward thinking by the design engineers would have helped.
Then, it's all about slam it together on the production line as cheaply as possible, because these things are, mainly, consumable white goods for the majority.

[akirk]

Plus, some forward thinking by the design engineers would have helped.

I think that the accountants design it today...

Alasdair