Best Used Compact Family Car
The Ford Focus has been our used car champion for the last two years, does it do enough to win it's class this year?
Winner: Ford Focus
(2004 to date) Prices: £3,750-£15,000
Our Used Car Awards champion for the past two years – and it’s still at the top of its game. We’ve consistently praised the Ford Focus for its excellent handling and great dynamics, while the wide range of engines means there’s something for everyone.
Second-hand values have been falling steadily for some time and, with a new Focus on the horizon, prices of the existing model can only get lower. Early 2004-2005 examples have now slipped below the £4,000 mark. The Ford’s popularity – it was Britain’s best-selling car before being eclipsed by its Fiesta sister model – makes it incredibly easy to find used.
Take your time and shop around for the best example with the lowest mileage in your price range. Our pick of the engine line-up is the 89bhp 1.6-litre TDCi diesel. It provides plenty of punch, promises fuel economy of 62.7mpg and emits 118g/km of CO2, so road tax costs only £30 per year.
The Focus’ cabin is hard wearing and stands up to family use well. What’s more, another perk of the car’s popularity is that parts are equally common, and therefore pleasantly cheap. Reliability is generally good, but diesel models can suffer from cracked intercooler pipes, so keep an eye out for any leaks beneath the bonnet. There were also a number of recalls due to hard brake pedals and failed wiper motors, so it’s a good idea to check with Ford and find out if the model you’re looking at has been affected.
Nearly New: VW Golf MkV
(2004-2008) Prices: £5,000-£16,000
Cast-iron residuals and superb build make the previous Golf a sound choice. As with the Focus, there are plenty around, so you can be picky. The VW badge means you’ll pay a premium, but the rewards come from behind the wheel.
Value Choice: Kia Cee'd
(2007 to date) Prices: £4,500-£13,000
Low prices and generous kit mean the Cee’d is a fine budget buy. Most are still on dealer forecourts, while models under 18 months old with less than 18,000 miles on the clock have their warranties topped back up to their original seven years.
