The Ford Focus has been voted the 'Used Car of the Decade' and Ford Ka the 'Small Car of the Decade' by CAP.

A panel of judges at CAP voted unanimously for the Ford Focus, declaring it as "the vehicle which set new standards of quality in the volume car market during the decade 2000-2009". The judging panel was particularly looking for a car which excelled in a number of areas: affordability, practicality of ownership, sustained popularity and trusted reputation.

Mark Norman, chairman of the CAP judging panel, said of the Ford Focus: "Although the awards concentrate on three year-old vehicles, it is testament to the build quality of Ford cars that well maintained examples from the late 90s still feel as if they have many years of motoring life left.

He continued: "The Ford Ka scores on every measure of used car excellence, offering true affordability, low running costs and reliable simple engineering. The 1996 to 2008 Ford Ka offered something truly fresh to the small used car buyer as well as a reliably popular offering for the used car dealer."

Jon Wellsman, sales director, Ford of Britain said: "We are delighted to receive such prestigious awards which recognise the outstanding engineering integrity of Ford cars."

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