The What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards showcases the top pre-owned models across eight categories, ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs, with an overall winner chosen from the category winners.
BMW 530e (2017-present)
BMW 530e, launched in 2017, is a plug-in hybrid and part of the highly regarded BMW 5 Series luxury car range. Over the years the 5 Series has won more What Car? Awards more than any other model.
Thanks to its driver appeal, lavish interior, and class-leading refinement, as well as its potential for excellent fuel economy and its fantastic value on the used market, the 530e was declared champion. What Car? claimed that the vehicle could undertake any distance without the need to ever turn on the engine, adding it is “quiet enough to put full-on limousines to shame”.
Prior to claiming the overall title, the BMW took home the top honour in the Used Hybrid of the Year category.
It topped this year’s What Car? competition against several outstanding models including the Audi A3 Sportback, Mazda CX-5, and Volkswagen Passat Estate.
'The task of picking just one overall winner usually gets more and more daunting with each passing year. But this time, the BMW 530e stood out from all the other contenders. It might look, at first glance, to be just another large and opulent car that, with a few miles under its belt, has become decently cheap to buy. But when we delved deep into its long list of attributes, it became apparent that it was not only a really desirable car, but also a terrific used buy. It was the exceptional value that it offers that ultimately gave it the victory. Simply put, nothing else offers so much for so little.'
The easing of demand is good news for any customer looking to get a great deal.
What Car?’s best value used car recommendations are more important than ever, with consumers facing a cost of living crisis.
Audi A3 (2013-2020)
The latest What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards also proved beneficial for Audi, which won three of the eight categories.
The Audi A3 was titled the Used Hatchback of the Year title. The Audi A4 won Used Saloon Car of the Year and the Audi TT took the crown for Used Sports Car of the Year.
The Tesla Model 3 was named the Best Used Electric Car of the Year, which can be picked up for as little as £37,000 – more than £10,000 cheaper than a new model.
Based on the What Car? Reliability Survey, the Model 3 scored an impressive 94% rating, with any car problems being fixed for free.
Used Hatchback of the Year – Audi A3 (2013-2020)
Used Saloon Car of the Year – Audi A4 (2015-present)
Used Estate Car of the Year – Volkswagen Passat (2015-present)
Used SUV of the Year – Mazda CX-5 (2017-present)
Used Seven-Seater of the Year – Peugeot 5008 (2017-present)
Used Electric Car of the Year – Tesla Model 3 (2019-present)
Used Hybrid Car of the Year – BMW 530e (2017-present)
Used Sports Car of the Year – Audi TT (2014-present)
Whilst these are the best used cars on the market, used car values still appear to be increasing. Retail prices for used cars increased in October for the third consecutive month as stock levels and days to sell remained constant. According to the report, by eBay Motors Group, vehicles under five years old were primarily to blame for the price increases, which spread to all three of the major auto retailing sectors.
Luckily, Connected Car Finance will finance vehicles up to 18 years old. So, if your customer needs an older vehicle on finance, while prices remain higher for the newest models, we are on hand to help.
This helps you deliver lower, more affordable monthly payments for your customers! You can find out more about our PCP deals by clicking here.
