Drivers have awarded a staple of British roads the title of being Britain’s most loved vehicle as thousands of motorists look to take out specialist warranties.
The Ford Fiesta has been crowned as the UK’s most loved car with drivers ranking its compact size and nimble handling as the best model on the market.
Some drivers may have a soft spot in their heart for the Fiesta as it proved to be a popular starter car for young drivers, while also acting as a reliable vehicle for families.
Sadly, the car is no longer in production after 47 years and eight different generations, with the final two models rolling off factory lines in July last year.
The Ford Fiesta was crowned Britain's most loved car
PA
More than 22 million Fiesta models were produced between 1976 and 2023, although drivers still favour the brand shown by the almost 50,000 Ford Puma models registered in the UK last year.
The Ford Fiesta represents more in terms of sales of third-party warranty plans than any other vehicle – making it Britain’s favourite used car, according to Warrantywise.
Ford were awarded a one-two split as the Focus placed in second, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa, BMW 3 Series and the Vauxhall Astra.
Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, commented on the data, saying: “It seems this Valentine’s Day, the Fiesta really is the sweetheart of the used car market.
“The used car sector has proven to be remarkably robust despite economic challenges in recent years.
“Anticipating growth in new car sales, we expect this to further stimulate the used car market.
“With increased supply driving demand, Warrantywise remains committed to offering cover customers can be confident in.”
Data suggests that the average price of a used car was £16,868 in January 2024, down 7.5 per cent compared to the previous year as drivers finally see prices stabilise.
The 10 most popular models (December 2020-December 2023)
1. Ford Fiesta
2. Ford Focus
3. Vauxhall Corsa
4. BMW 3 Series
5. Vauxhall Astra
6. BMW 1 Series
7. Nissan Qashqai
8. Volkswagen Golf
9. Volkswagen Polo
10. Range Rover Evoque
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The Ford Focus was ranked the second most loved car in the UK
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Thousands of Ford Fiesta models are still available via online marketplaces allowing drivers to get their hands on Britain’s most loved cars for as little as £750.