These were the 10 most popular used car buys of 2021

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The Fiesta may have lost its spot at the top of the new car sales charts in 2021, but it still reigned supreme in the used market. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) data doesn't discriminate between generations, but sadly we're not sure all that many Mk1s are still changing hands.

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Yep, the UK's favourite new car in 2021 was also our second-favourite second-hand buy. That's a whole lot of people buying used Corsas...

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Interesting to see the traditional hatchback still dominating the used car market, isn't it? Over a quarter of a million Brits bought a pre-loved Focus last year.

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The Golf has been around in various forms since 1974, so it's no surprise to see it high up on this list. Wonder how many of these were previously-financed Mk7.5 Golf Rs?

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First the Fiesta and the Focus, now the Astra to go with the Corsa. The UK still loves its Vauxhalls. Bring back the Monaro VXR we say.

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The only saloon to make the Top 10, the 3 Series continues its popularity on our shores. 

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The BMW-era Mini marches on, with over 167,000 of the things changing hands in 2021. Anyone fancy a guess at how many of those were Mini Electrics?

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Almost 150,000 VW Polos were sold as used cars in 2021, with 145,000 of those bought by people who'd just passed their test.*

*This is resolutely not a fact. 

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Forget the Q2, Q3, Q5 and the Q987, Brits still love Audi's poshed-up VW Golf when they're buying pre-owned. 

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And yet more proof that we love hatchbacks in this country - the BMW 1 Series also makes the list. Let's hope the manufacturers take note...