What's the best used car you can buy? This £7,000 hatchback was voted the winner because it's reliable and there are plenty of good ones to buy

 According to What Car?, the best used car on the market today is the current Seat Leon family hatchback.You can buy a four-year-old example of the title-winning Leon with average mileage (based on 10,000 miles a year) for around £7,000 on second-hand car site Auto Trader right now. 

The motoring magazine said the latest iteration of the family hatch from the Spanish brand that is owned by VW was applauded for its great drive, high quality materials, safety credentials and kerb appeal.

But what secured the crown was the fact that owners had reported in a recent survey it was one of the most reliable cars you can get your hands on. And also because the market is brimming with examples that are in great nick and have been well maintained by owners with a full service history.

 In the family car category, the Seat beat the Kia Cee'd and Ford Focus to the overall crown, with these voted the best four to six-year-old cars and seven to ten-year-old cars, respectively.But what if you don't want a family car?What Car? ranked the best models across 15 different categories, from dinky city cars to wind-in-your-hair convertibles to name which cars buyers should be on the hunt for.Its research highlighted a top buy in different age categories but also an overall winner, representing the top buy in that sector regardless of age.

 

The best used cars by category 

Best used city car: Hyundai i10 (2014-present)

Best used small car: Ford Fiesta (2008-2017)

Best used family car: Seat Leon (2013-present)

Best used executive car: BMW 3 Series (2012-present)

Best used luxury car: BMW 5 Series (2010-2017)

Best used small SUV: Nissan Qashqai (2007-2013)

Best used large SUV: Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)

Best used MPV: Citroen C3 Picasso (2009-2017)

Best used estate car: Ford Mondeo Estate (2007-2015)

Best used hot hatch: Ford Fiesta ST (2012-2017)

Best used coupe: Audi TT (2006-2014)

Best used convertible: BMW Z4 (2009-present)

Best used sports car: Audi R8 (2007-2016)

Best used green car: Renault Zoe (2012-present)