BMW's 5-series voted best overall used car in Britain

BMW's 5-series has been voted the overall winner of the Used Car of the Year 2003 by Used Car Buyer magazine in Britain.

A panel of 13 journalists and industry representatives voted for the BMW, with the Skoda Octavia receiving a high commendation.

The overall winner was chosen from a panel of 90 cars. Each was assessed on 11 categories, including fitness of purpose, value for money, running costs, reliability, residual value and image.

The winner of each category then went on to be judged for the overall title. There was a further breakdown between the various classes of vehicles.

The 5-series won its category for best used executive car, followed by the Jaguar S-type, and Saab 9-5. BMW scored a second success with their 7-series taking the luxury car category.

The Ford Ka won the city car class with the Toyota Yaris finishing ahead of the Skoda Fabia and Fiat Punto in the supermini category. Ford also took the prize for best used small family car.

Skoda's Octavia won the medium car category, seeing off the Ford Mondeo and VW Passatt, both of which were highly commended. Seat's Alhambra won the MPV category while the Jeep Grand Cherokee won best used 4x4.