British car buyers have rated the Volkswagen Golf hatchback as the best used car of the last 10 years.
Automotive marketplace CarGurus asked 1,000 drivers aged 27 and over about their used car buying preferences since 2016.
The questions included picking their favourite used car of the past decade, with the evergreen Volkswagen Golf emerging as the top choice.
Despite the rise of SUVs in recent years, more than a quarter (28 percent) of those surveyed chose a hatchback as their preferred used car.
However, when combined, small- and medium-sized family SUVs accounted for more than a third (36 percent) of the cars chosen. This was cemented by the BMW X3 claiming second place in the CarGurus ranking.
Cameras and parking tech is important
Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK editorial director, said: “Over the past decade, the Volkswagen Golf has consistently proven itself to be one of the nation’s favourites. It represents the perfect mix of reliability, practicality, design and affordability, and shows that the long-standing popular models continue to be exactly that.
“Our findings also reflect shifts in used-car buyers’ main priorities as car features evolve. Reliability and running costs are key, but drivers now also look for the added reassurance of advanced safety features and good technology.”
Responses from those surveyed made it clear that new technology was an important part of the used car experience, with 360-degree cameras a favourite with 30 percent of drivers. Parking aids were also sought by 28 percent.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, gesture control technology was important to just seven percent of respondents, while only eight percent considered over-the-air updates a key feature.
Reliability matters most to used car buyers
Some 83 percent of those surveyed said they look for the same attributes in a used car that they valued a decade ago, albeit with a greater focus on modern technology.
Reliability was the most important factor for 60 percent of those surveyed, followed by running costs on 54 percent. Comfort, and a preferred type of body style, both mattered to 40 percent of respondents.
The complete CarGurus top 10 best used cars of the last decade is listed below:
1. Volkswagen Golf (Hatchback)
2. BMW X3 (Medium SUV)
3. Audi Q3 (Small SUV)
4. Audi A3 (Hatchback)
5. Vauxhall Astra (Hatchback)
6. Kia Sportage (Medium SUV)
7. Nissan Qashqai (Medium SUV)
8. Toyota C-HR (Small SUV)
9. Audi Q5 (Medium SUV)
10. Honda Civic (Hatchback)
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