Older German cars outside of the "premium" brands (i.e BM and Mercedes) tended to be much simpler electrically if memory serves me correctly, which is sensible in engineering terms - less to go wrong. I have seen more than a few Opels and Audis on the fritz (no pun intended) though, so it's not a hard-and-fast rule.
I do wonder if the British love of complaining has led to an undeserved reputation for the old Prince Of Darkness though.
