What Car? Used Car of the Year 2006 - Winner

Ford Focus

The votes are in, the argument is over -for another year at least. Although voting for What Car?'s overall Used Car of the Year was closer this year than last, we ended up with a clear winner: the previous-shape Ford Focus.

Here is a car available in plentiful numbers that you'll find for sale in every corner of the United Kingdom. Its ubiquity fails to tarnish an exceptionally able small family hatchback, though. This is all the car that most buyers will ever need.

Require something that will transport you and your family, plus all your clutter? A car that's rewarding to drive, as well as practical? Something that's not going to break the bank -to buy or run? The Focus does all these things, and more besides.

Our judges raved about the way the car looks and drives, as well as its flawless reliability record and plentiful supply. It shows that British motorists know a good thing when they see one: the old-shape Focus was the best-selling car for every year of its life from 1998-2004.

You don't need to buy one of the more expensive sports or diesel models to be in for a treat, either. Pick a humble 1.6 Zetec five-door (the best-selling model) and you'll find an absolute belter.

Trade up to one of the excellent TDCI diesels, or the iconic RS hot hatch, and you'll find talent aplenty; the Focus can do it all -from humdrum everyday duties to thrilling back-road blasts.

It's the best-value second-hand car on sale today.

Previous winners
2005 Mazda 6
2004 Vauxhall Vectra
2003 Ford Focus

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