DRIVER POWER is unique as the UK’s largest independently published survey of consumer attitudes to owning cars, and this year we’ve already shared the results of our New Car survey (Issue 1,733), giving details of the vehicles that are the most satisfying to own across all sectors of the market – including petrol and diesel models, and the new wave of hybrid and plug-in electric cars.
Our Used Car survey by its very nature still focuses on the more traditional sectors, and some of the top-performing models are becoming ‘traditional’ fixtures at the top of the standings, too. As we see increased take-up of EVs and hybrids in future years, it will be fascinating to see how these new powertrains perform in terms of ongoing consumer satisfaction.
Meanwhile, over the following pages, you’ll find a rundown of the UK’s top 75 used cars, according to the levels of satisfaction reported by owners. They’re ranked by a comprehensive set of 35 different attributes, which we round up into 10 core categories.
The category results for each car are shown in the table alongside it, so you can compare the performances of different models you’re interested in. We’ve also provided a selection of quotes from survey respondents, plus our insights based on a deeper analysis of the aforementioned 35 attributes.
“The UK’s top 75 used cars are ranked according to the satisfaction reported by their owners for 35 attributes”
HOW THE RATINGS WORK
75. Fiat 500 Mk1 82.72%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2007-present PRICE NOW FROM £2,300
KEY POINTS A lacklustre showing, with style and economy the only highlights
THE baby Fiat is holding up the bottom of the table this year, as the lowest-rated model to make it into our list of 75 most satisfying used cars. Perhaps predictably, its best score is a 6th place for MPG and running costs, while its next best score was a 20th place for value. Owners rate its exterior in 22nd place, which includes a welcome 7th overall for design style, but those cutesy looks are let down by the exterior finish, which owners rank in 39th.
Otherwise the Mk1 500’s category ratings look pretty miserable, with reliability coming it at 54th, while ride and handling, and safety features impress owners even less.
YOUR VIEW
“It’s more of a 2+2. The seats don’t adjust enough and if the driver is tall, there’s no kneeroom in the back.”
“Some of the materials are a bit shoddy. The ride quality is okay on good roads, but very poor on bumpy roads.”
74. Ford Fiesta Mk7 82.76%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2008-2017 PRICE NOW FROM £2,400
KEY POINTS Seemingly this generation of Fiesta has missed the mark with used buyers
FORD’S famous supermini reaches the end of the line next year, but judging by the lackadaisical showing for this penultimate generation, some owners won’t miss the model too badly when it disappears from showrooms. Its best placing amongst used buyers was for MPG and running costs, but 38th is nothing to write home about.
With interior and exterior design languishing near the bottom of the table, along with practicality and boot space, it seems buyers have fallen out of love with a former favourite. It’s not even much fun to scoot around in any more, with driving pleasure ranked a poor 63rd.
YOUR VIEW
“Just doesn’t have enough power to overtake safely and struggles on any slight gradient.”
“Not many places to store things; too many small places, including the glovebox, aren’t suitable for larger items.”
73. BMW 3 Series Mk6 82.82%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2012-2018 PRICE NOW FROM £6,250
KEY POINTS Don’t buy a used 3 Series for driving pleasure, our respondents suggest
THE previous-generation BMW 3 Series isn’t rated in flattering terms by its owners who, you may be surprised to learn, rate it only 71st for ride and handling – supposedly one of the manufacturer’s strengths. This BMW’s poorest scores in the category are for the responsiveness of steering and brakes, while ride quality isn’t rated much better. Overall driving pleasure is ranked 54th in the survey.
If you’re looking for highlights, they’re hard to find. The only attributes rated above 50th place are awarded to the built-in sat-nav, 28th for the balance between physical and touchscreen controls, and 34th for the touchscreen itself.
YOUR VIEW
“The brakes are not very responsive compared to the Sport versions; you have to brake well in advance of stopping.”
“As with all BMWs, the boot capacity is not big enough. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles never make best use of the space.”
72. BMW X3 Mk2 83.08%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2010-2017 PRICE NOW FROM £8,995
KEY POINTS Reliability, running costs and driving pleasure are ranked poorly
THERE’S little love for the previous-generation BMW X3 among its owners, it seems, with rankings very similar to those awarded to the 3 Series saloon, which shares much of this car’s tech. Reliability, value, MPG and running costs, ride and handling – all are rated at or near the bottom of our satisfaction table, which suggests a lot of underwhelmed owners. The boxy X3 does a little better for practicality and boot space, but still can’t crack the top 50.
Only the infotainment system scores reasonably highly, just breaking into the top third of the survey and capping the X3’s underwhelming set of results.
YOUR VIEW
“Very high running costs. The fuel economy is extremely poor and the servicing costs are very steep, too.”
“The back seats should fold flat to provide a more useful luggage area, instead of creating a slope that causes issues.”
71. Kia Picanto Mk2 83.24%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2011-2017 PRICE NOW FROM £2,800
KEY POINTS Sweet-sounding engine lifts scores, but the little Kia fails to shine elsewhere
THE Kia Picanto is a popular small city car, but owners of the previous-generation variant aren’t feeling too positive about it. The good bits have the Picanto finishing in the middle of the table for MPG and running costs, with servicing costs and overall value both rated 25th.
Other highlights are limited to the user-friendliness of the controls in 23rd place, and another 25th place for the engine and gearbox; owners rate the 1.25-litre engine’s sound unexpectedly highly, at sixth, although acceleration and smoothness are only mid-ranking. The Kia also has the dubious privilege of ranking in last place for its boot space.
YOUR VIEW
“The Picanto is too small for everyday needs such as shopping. Limited covered cubbyholes leave items exposed.”
“The audio is old-school: some connectivity but no real modern upgrades. It is functional and fair for the class of the car.”
70. LR Discovery Sport 83.265%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2014-2019 PRICE NOW FROM £12,900
KEY POINTS Look no further for the worst rankings for reliability and value
IT may be ‘the best 4x4 by far’ in marketing parlance, but the Land Rover Discovery Sport has managed to accumulate the worst scores in this survey across three critical categories: MPG and running costs, reliability and value. It also comes in at a poor 70th for ride and handling.
Land Rover’s Freelander replacement performs much better when it comes to exterior style and practicality, with the interior scoring a much more decent 13th and 15th respectively for its rear-seat legroom and child-friendly features. But those few highlights are not enough to raise the Discovery Sport far off the bottom of the table.
YOUR VIEW
“Let down by parking control sensors that are extremely erratic, going off when no other vehicle is nearby.”
“I am a Land Rover fan, so generally I will put up with failings despite everything. Whether I will buy this model again is doubtful.”
69. Dacia Sandero Mk2 83.268%
YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2012-2020 PRICE NOW FROM £3,200
KEY POINTS Running costs and value are the only highlights for bargain-basement Dacia
