Ford Fiesta is CAP's Used Car of the Year

Ford's best-selling Fiesta has been named "Used Car of the Year 2012" by CAP, the leading independent car information experts.

The Blue Oval's supermini beat off stiff competition during what has been a strong year for the used car market, with CAP's judging panel declaring it "the perfect used car choice for motorists and used car dealers".

CAP says its used car of the year award is unique in recognising the "real life" qualities of a used car.

The judges considered criteria such as affordability and practicality of ownership; reputation; and sustained popularity in the used market.

The Fiesta came out on top with judges commenting the car has a "desirable image even with high volumes available" and it has a "consistent reputation for reliability".

Mark Norman, of CAP, said: "It is always tempting for the motoring media and other industry observers to take the "petrolhead" approach when giving awards to cars which excite them, but the CAP Used Car of the Year Award recognises the contribution a car really makes to consumers and dealers alike.

"The Ford Fiesta is a genuinely great used car for all of the reasons we have outlined. Motorists love it because it does exactly what they want it to."