A recent list of the ten best selling cars in Europe doesn’t contain too many surprises. It shows, more than anything, that rational and well resolved products are what the market wants. VW dominates, with cars in first, fourth and eighth places – a very strong showing for the German brand which still manages to hold onto a premium image despite the popularity of its cars. Interestingly, the Nissan Qashqai makes tenth in the list, just shading the Peugeot 207, which vindicates Nissan’s decision to provide a more radical, contemporary answer to the family car question. Many of the top ten are expensive cars, the Golf, Passat and Qashqai in particular seem surprisingly premium to be best sellers and a 48 percent rise in Passat sales does seem to show there’s a bit more money about than you might think – lots of it still being spent on new cars. But don’t be sucked in – those cars are all going to cost their owner dear in depreciation. The good news is, with so many hitting the market, particularly with the right engine and trim options, you can pick up used versions that are less than three years old, still in warranty and as shiny as the day they left the showroom. Here, for the canny buyer, are three of the best… Volkswagen Golf Why buy a car that’s like a Golf, when you can have a Golf? Indeed. But similarly, why pay £20,000 for a decent spec new diesel when you can have a perfectly respectable petrol, new shape car, for half that? UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: A two year old 1.4 petrol with only 23,000 miles on the clock and a full service history can be had for £9,995. Half price! Volkswagen PassatA car so sensible that you half expect it to give you sound advice about the best ISA, the Passat is a bland, but thoroughly capable machine that will give you years of stress free motoring with a prestige badge, tons of room and an aura of quiet dependability that only VW seem able to achieve. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: A new shape, six month old 1.8 turbo petrol with 8,900 miles showing is available for £15,950. It is well optioned, very refined, surprisingly frugal, and compares favorably with the £25,000 or so you need for a comparative new diesel car. Nissan QashqaiThe Qashqai is still the ‘soft roader’ to beat. It can deal with the stresses and strains of family life like few cars and you get the high SUV driving position beloved of hell-for-leather school run mums everywhere. Go four-wheel drive for extra winter proofing. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: A 2008 year old, Qashqai petrol model with a full service history, warranty left and exactly the same practicality as a new car is for sale at £8,995. Saving £11,000 over new. | 
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