So 7.5m of us buy a used car every year. That’s a lot of people looking for a lot of cars, but which ones take our fancy most? Take Can you really decipher the acronyms -? Do you know your SUVs from your MPVs?

City

Not only the smallest cars made, but also the second smallest in terms of used car market share. Invariably dominated by the likes of the Daewoo Matiz and VW Lupo, these three-door variants offer economy, about-town agility and little else. Just remember, like the shoes on your feet, City cars are built to serve a purpose and that’s about it.

Supermini

More than 2m three or five door superminis exchange hands every year. Cheap to buy, cheap to insure, economical to run, the choice is by far the greatest on the market. Even so, one model remains the firm favourite – Ford’s Fiesta. The old shape (Mk 3) may be the biggest selling supermini around, but its replacement (Mk 4) can still claim tenth spot with an average of 7,000 buyers snapping one up every month. Other good buys include the Toyota Yaris, Vauxhall Corsa and Nissan Micra.

Small Family

Next on the ladder is the Small Family – the biggest sector in the used car market with nearly 1 in 3 buyers looking for an Escort or Astra type model. Boasted by wave after wave of ex-fleet or leased vehicles, buyers have the luxury of keen prices and the ability to take their time and not buy the first example they see. Top buys include the Ford Focus, Peugeot 306, Renault Megane and Honda Civic – with the latter easily the king of reliability.

Large Family

Otherwise known as the ‘repmobile’, the larger family sector is dogged by poor residuals. Turn that on its head, and you should be able to pick up a well-equipped, roomy car for great money. Dominated in terms of numbers by the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra, older versions like the Cavalier and Sierra still have a market for private buyers on a tight budget. During the last twelve months, nearly 100,000 Vauxhall Cavalier’s have been bought and sold!

Executive

The aspirational class. Think BMW, think Mercedes, think Audi and Lexus. The ‘culture of the badge’ has been driven in recent years by changes to company car tax rules. More and more Mondeo drivers have upgraded to Beamers and Mercs alike. Today, the sector accounts for more than 1 in 20 used cars sold. Best buys include the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and don’t discount the Rover 75 – designed and engineered by BMW before it jumped ship and headed back to Munich.

Sports

The fashion statement - and why not? If you can do away with two seats, why shouldn’t you look at a Mazda MX-5 or an MGF? Yes, they can be cramped and impractical but boy will you have fun. Sales are naturally at their strongest during the summer months but the sector still accounts for around 4 percent of all used sales.

MPVs

A fairly new phenomenon, the MPV or Multi Purpose Vehicle has become the number choice for the modern family since the launch of the pioneering Renault Megane Scenic in 1999.

Today, the choice is plentiful with the flexible, seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira and very chic, Citroen Picasso, both leading the way. Availability on the used car market can be restricted simply because people don’t see any need to change. The upshot is good re-sale values for sellers.

4x4s

A long time ago, four wheel driven vehicles were only found in the countryside, and usually knee deep in mud. It’s a very different story now, with a gaggle of manufacturers all offering their version of the 4x4 – mainly about as useful off-road as an ice-cream salesman at the North Pole. Despite the variety, key buys remain old school with the Land Rover Freelander and Toyota Land Cruiser proving solid used buys.

Top Tips

Think about why you need the car before you start your search.
How many people will it carry on a regular basis?
How many miles are you likely to do each year?
Define your needs first, then start looking.

Work out your budget – and stick to it. Do you need a frugal little runner or a motorway muncher? Is it better to buy diesel or petrol? If you’re doing less than 10,000 miles a year will you realistically see the benefit of buying an economic runner?

Popular or not? The model or derivative you’ve set your heart on may determine how long you’re likely to be looking and whether you can haggle for a good price. Fiestas are ten-a-penny and the price will reflect that.