Co-op Insurance has revealed what are the safest used cars on offer in the UK and surprise, surprise it's a Volvo. The list as a whole is a nice mix of brands but there is no room for cars made by the likes of Ford, BMW and Audi. So what makes up the top 10? Let's have a look.
10. FIAT 500L
We start the list with the FIAT 500L, the larger brother of the uber-popular 500 city car. The 500L has the top five star NCAP safety rating with a near perfect 94% for adult occupant safety and a respectable 78% for child occupant safety. Used models can be picked up from anywhere between £5,100-£16,000.
9. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a crossover SUV which seems to be all the rage at the moment. Like the 500L, it scores a five star NCAP rating and 94% adult occupant safety rating but it improves child occupant safety with a score of 87%. Pedestrian safety rating is around the same - 64% compared to the 500L's 65%. This car is more expensive used with prices ranging from £10,000 all the way through to £30,000.
8. Honda Civc
We continue with the Japanese, more specifically the Honda Civic, a car which also scored 94% for occupant safety when it put through the NCAP safety tests. The child occupant safety rating is a little lower with a score 83% but safety pedestrian is improved - albeit marginally - with a score of 69%. Used examples can be range from £5,000 up to £30,000 if you fancy the super hot Type R.
7. Mercedes-Benz A Class
The looks of the A Class have come a long way since the slab-sided hotchpotch that hit the market last decade. Not only is it better looking but it's now on of the safest used premium cars you can buy. Interestingly, the A Class has a slightly lower adult occupant score (93%) and the child occupant and pedestrian safety levels are a little lower as well - 81% and and 67% respectively. The A Class pulls it back with a safety assist score of 86%. Used examples can be found from £10,000 all the way to £45,000 for the AMG model.
6. Mazda3
We return to Mazda and the Mazda3 which also has an adult occupant safety of 93% but has an improved child occupant score of 86%. Pedestrian safety comes in at 65% which puts it on the same level as the 500L. Used examples can be bought for prices between £6,000 to £22,000.
5. Vauxhall Astra
Now here's an interesting one, the latest Vauxhall Astra makes the top five which is not by any means out of the ordinary but it's adult occupant safety score is noticeably lower with a score 86%. It's still a good score but not quite as good as the cars that have come before it. Child occupant and pedestrian safety levels are solid though with respective scores of 84% and 83%. The latest Astra is still fairly new on the market so there loads on the used market but the ones you'll find will range from £7,000 to £21,000.
4. Peugeot 308
The latest Peugeot 308 has been a successful car for the French brand and it just misses out on a podium place in the safest cars in the UK. Adult occupant score is a solid 92% whilst child occupant and pedestrian rating are a slightly less competitive 79% and 64% respectively. Used examples range from £8,000 to £26,000.
3. Nissan Qashqai
This undoubtedly one of the best small SUVs money can buy at the moment as it's won a whole host of award. I am of course talking about the Nissan Qashqai. It scores solid scores a respectable score of 88% whilst child occupant and pedestrian safety was scored at 83% and 69% respectively. Used examples range from £10,000 to £27,000.
2. Volkswagen Golf
Just missing out on the top spot - unsurprisingly to a Volvo - is the Volkswagen Golf which has solid scores of 94% for adult occupant safety and 89% for child occupant safety. The pedestrian safety score puts the Golf on par with the others with a score of 65%. Autonomous Emergency Braking comes as standard to further improve safety. Used examples range from £8,000 to £37,000 if you fancy the top spec R models.
1. Volvo V40 (with safety pack)
A Volvo at the top of a safety list, who'd have thought it? The model in question is the V40 (with safety pack) which scores a whopping 98% for adult occupant safety rating a respectable 75% for child occupant safety rating. What's even more impressive is the V40 scored 100% for safety assist thanks to the high amount of safety kit that comes as standard. Used examples range from £6,500 to £35,000 for Polestar performance models.
