What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards - Best family cars and compact execs

£7500 to £10,000
Mazda 6 1.8 TS 5dr, ’04/04, 18k miles, £9495

We’ve always been fans of the Mazda 6. As a new car, it represents great value, and as a used buy it now looks like a steal.

Supplies of the 6 on the used market have improved markedly lately, and values are falling fast. The price above is what you should pay for an ’04/04 car.

However, with many 6s coming off short-term fleets, we’ve even seen a good number of nearly new (54- and 05-plate) TS hatches at supermarkets for between £9k and £10k. That’s supermini money for a solid family car with two years’ warranty left to run.

Keen prices are just part of the Mazda’s appeal, though. While it competes directly with the Mondeo and Vectra, ask private buyers which they’d go for and we’re confident they’d plump for the 6. It’s better looking for starters, with a stance that promises performance.

The sharp drive and handling don’t disappoint, and the five-speed manual gearbox offers slick changes. The 118bhp, 1.8-litre, petrol motor is the least powerful engine in the range, although it still pulls well. Group seven insurance and 36mpg fuel economy make it a great all-rounder.

Inside, there’s a quality feel to the cabin, with a well laid-out dash and plenty of storage. Rear leg- and headroom are impressive, too, while the boot is plenty big enough for most. The hatchback lets you pack more in, with Mazda’s clever one-touch, folding rear seats providing a flat load floor.

Entry-level S trim is adequate for many, with air-con and alloys fitted, but TS models are just as plentiful and add CD player, climate control and cruise control for just a couple of hundred pounds more.

Also consider
Audi A4 2.0 SE 4dr, ’01/Y, 46k miles, £10,045

For buyers after a prestige badge, the A4 is a great choice. For less than £10,000 you can drive a smart, safe compact executive whose cabin oozes style and superb build quality. This 2.0-litre petrol engine isn’t quite as powerful or frugal as later 2.0-litre FSI units, but its 130bhp and combined economy of 36mpg will still satisfy most drivers. The A4 is Audi’s most reliable model, coming an impressive ninth in our latest reliability survey.

On a different budget?
Up to £7500
£7395 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Zetec 5dr, ’03/52, 28k miles

Also consider
£7695 Vauxhall Vectra 2.0 DTi LS 4dr, ’02/52, 32k miles

Over £10,000
£13,245 Jaguar X-type 2.0 SE auto, ‘02/52, 32k miles

Also consider
£12,395 BMW 318i SE, ’02/02, 38k miles