UK Drivers Confirm: The Volkswagen Golf is the Used Car of the Last Decade

• The reliable family hatchback is the most popular used car choice of the last 10 years, ahead of the BMW X3 and Audi Q3
• To celebrate 10 years in the UK, CarGurus analysed how used car buying preferences have changed since 2016
• Reliability and running costs remain the top priorities for buyers, as well as new technology, especially parking assist features
• To help shoppers find their best deal on their next used car purchase, CarGurus has released Discover, the most advanced AI car-shopping experience on a UK automotive marketplace¹

The Volkswagen Golf has been named the nation’s used car hero, topping driver preferences over the last decade, according to a new study.

To mark its 10th anniversary in the UK, CarGurus — a leading automotive marketplace in the UK for shopping and buying used vehicles — surveyed 1,000 drivers aged 27 and over to uncover their used car buying preferences since 2016.

The findings reveal not only the most popular cars and brands of the era, but how buyer priorities have evolved in this decade of rapid automotive change, from technology to trust in a brand.

Cars That Defined the Last Decade

When Brits were asked about their favourite used cars from the last decade, a trusty family hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf, was voted as the most popular. The top five also include the BMW X3, Audi Q3, Audi A3 and Vauxhall Astra.

In terms of bodystyles, over a quarter (28%) of drivers crowned the hatchback as their top choice. Driver feedback also underscores the rise of the SUV, with medium and small SUVs taking 21% and 15% of votes respectively.

This preference is further reflected in driver rankings of the standout models of the past 10 years:

Another clear trend is the decline in popularity of MPVs since 2016, with driver feedback placing MPV models low in preference rankings.

When asked what earns a car “favourite” status, drivers pointed firmly to the fundamentals: reliability (62%), design and style (55%), and value for money (52%).

Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK Editorial Director, said: “Over the past decade, the Volkswagen Golf has consistently proven itself to be one of the nation’s favourites. It represents the perfect mix of reliability, practicality, design and affordability, and shows that the long-standing popular models continue to be exactly that.

“Our findings also reflect shifts in used-car buyers' main priorities as car features evolve. Reliability and running costs are key, but drivers now also look for the added reassurance of advanced safety features and good technology.”

Top Technology

Over the last decade, in-car technology has gone from luxury to expectation, with respondents favouring features that make day-to-day driving easier.

Favourite innovations include 360-degree cameras (30%) and parking assist systems (28%), both of which reduce stress in tight environments. Keyless entry and push-button start (25%) also rank highly, reflecting demand for daily convenience.

However, not all technological advances are deemed desirable by UK drivers. Features such as gesture control (7%) and over-the-air updates (8%) are among the least popular.

Similarly, button-free dashboards (9%) and certain comfort features like cooling seats (9%) and head-up displays (9%) have yet to win over a significant portion of drivers.

How Buyer Priorities Have Changed

When asked about the most important factors when buying a used car over the last 10 years, reliability (60%) and running costs (54%) were the backbone of buying decisions. Comfort on long journeys and preferred body style - both at 40% - also influenced the shortlist.

Findings also show how priorities have changed. 83% of respondents said they look for the same attributes they valued a decade ago, but now with a sharper eye on modern technology.

Safety has become an even bigger priority, with 70% of drivers saying they place more importance on safety features than they did in 2016. Meanwhile, 66% say they now prioritise up‑to‑date in-car technology, and 61% are increasingly conscious of cleaner engines and environmental impact.

To help shoppers narrow down options based on these priorities, CarGurus marked its 10th anniversary in the UK with the launch of Discover, a conversational AI shopping experience that lets shoppers find their perfect vehicle by simply describing what they want. In seconds, the tool provides local, in-stock listings complete with live pricing, deal ratings, and CarGurus' proprietary Instant Market Value (IMV) data. Unlike other car shopping search tools that only filter listings, Discover is embedded into the CarGurus website to guide shoppers through the entire journey, from discovering vehicles and refining options to connecting with a dealer.

For motorists looking for more on the UK’s top 10 used cars from the last 10 years, CarGurus has published a guide.