Lexus dealers received some good news this month when the brand held the top spot for UK owner satisfaction for the ninth consecutive year.

The results of the JD Power and Associates/What Car? 2009 UK Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study, which surveyed 15,700 owners of two-year-old cars, put the premium Japanese brand ahead of Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda and Toyota in the top five.

It provides a boost to Lexus, whose annual registrations had fallen 42% by June, worse than its premium rivals.

Belinda Poole, Lexus GB director, said: “We are extremely proud of what has been achieved by our network of Lexus Centres and are determined that we will continue to set the highest standards for customer satisfaction in the UK motor industry.”

Fiat came bottom, with a score of 751 out of the maximum 1,000 points. Narrowly ahead were Chrysler, Chevrolet, Vauxhall and Renault.

Susan Barnes, European automotive director at JD Power and Associates, said: “Incentive schemes for the automotive sector, such as the scrappage scheme, might boost vehicle sales in the short term, but a purchase made as a result of an exceptional experience should be the long-term goal.”

In the 2008 Sewells Dealer Attitude Survey, Lexus was ranked overall third out of 34, Fiat 31st. The 2009 survey is due in July.