Ford Focus voted Britain's best used car

Britain’s best used car is the Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec five-door according to What Car?

It was given the accolade at the annual What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards yesterday at the Hurlingham Club, London, attended by major vehicle manufacturers and named 13 category winners.

This year’s other winners include the Hyundai 1.2 Comfort (city car), Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec five-door (small car) and the Lexus IS220d SE (executive car).

The event provides buyers with the definitive guide to the best used vehicles.

The Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport won the ‘fun car’ award, while the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi VTR+ was considered the best MPV by the panel of judges.

What Car? editor, Jim Holder, said: “The winning cars are all outstanding vehicles, but it is the ownership experience that matters just as much.

“By assessing durability and mechanical reliability as well as other subjective elements of thousands of used models, the judges have provided consumers with an invaluable buyer’s guide.

“As What Car?’s Used Car of the Year, the Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec brings the best balance of performance and equipment for the money – and for only £8000 you can get the current-generation model.”

As well as the What Car? experts, the panel of judges included David Gerrans, managing director of even sponsor Warranty Direct, and Neil Addley, managing director of Trusted Dealers.

What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards 2014 category winners