New research has found which used cars are the most relable as sales of second-hand vehicles soars to a five-year high.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufactuerers and Traders (SMMT) shows that the used car market grew by 6.5 per cent to almost ttwo million units in the first three months of the year.
This is the best first quarter the UK has seen since 2019, with sales of second-hand zero emission vehicles rising 71 per cent, bringing the market share to 2.1 per cent.
It has now been revealed that the Ford Fiesta, which is the best-selling used car in the UK, is also the most reliable of the most popular vehicles on the second-hand market.
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Between the start of January and the end of March this year, more than 80,000 Ford Fiesta models changed hands, almost 14,000 more than the second-placed Vauxhall Corsa.
According to Warrantywise, the Ford Fiesta is the most reliable used car on the best-selling list, based on its impressive 70 out of 100 score on the Reliability Index.
The Fiesta has a low average repair cost of just £925 and lasts longer than other vehicles when it needs repairing - an average of eight years.
Ford's staple car, which ended production in 2023, has been on the market for almost 50 years and has sold 22 million models around the world - five million of which are in the UK.
Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: "It’s great to see not only the used car market at a five-year high, but also the Ford Fiesta to top yet another chart.
"It has always been a favourite among used car buyers, and recent insight only reinforces its status as a trusted option when looking for a used car."
While Whittaker did highlight his optimism of the improving used car market, he said the figures underscored the challenges the industry still faces following the pandemic.
The expert added that this was reflected in sales of used cars, particularly those that are more reliable and cheaper to run, like the Fiesta.
Most popular used cars sold in Q1 of 2024 and their Reliability Index score
1. Ford Fiesta - 70
2. Vauxhall Corsa - 68
3. Ford Focus - 59
4. Volkswagen Golf - 63
5. MINI (The SMMT does not report on Mini models) - N/A
6. Vauxhall Astra - 60
7. BMW 3 Series - 65
8. Volkswagen Polo - 69
9. Nissan Qashqai - 57
10. Audi A3 - 64
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Whittaker continued, saying: "Many of the used cars are sold at independent dealers, rather than main dealerships, or fall outside the manufacturer’s warranty coverage.
"I cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure that these vehicles are protected with a used car warranty to prevent unexpected bills."
