Auto Express has named the Vauxhall Insignia as Used Car of the Year, putting it ahead of many better known models.
A combination of fuel economy, value for money and build quality helped the Insignia bag the coveted award for the second time.
Second hand car buyers are attracted to the Insignia because its saloon, hatch and estate versions all depreciate quickly.
The magazine found that year-old petrol Insignias were on the market for just £10,000, while 12 month old full-option diesels were available for just £13,000. This means such a diesel depreciates by £7,000 one year after being bought new for £20,000.
Auto Express said the dramatic depreciation of the Insignia was unwarranted for such a well-made vehicle.
Reliability, however, can be an issue with the Insignia. It was ranked 69th out of 109 cars in the 2014 JD Power reliability survey.
So while buying a year-old Insignia may be an attractive option to many of those in the market for a used car, investing in a quality roadside assistance package alongside it may be advisable.
Among the winners of other Auto Express awards were the VW Golf which took best used compact hatchback, along with the Ford Fiesta which won best used supermini. Winners of other categories were the Porsche Boxter, Land Rover Freelander 2, Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Octavia.
The German built Insignia is sold under the Vauxhall brand in the UK, as well as the Opel brand in mainland Europe. In China it is marketed as the Buick Regal.
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