VALUE for money, quality and image are just some of the reasons why the Volkswagen Passat has scooped Used Car of the Year for the second time.

The Passat became the first car to retain the title in the annual What Car? Used Car of the year awards and also picked up the Best Used Family Car Title for the second time.

Steve Fowler, What Car? editor, said: "A VW Passat 1.8 SE on a '99 plate with 30,000 miles on the clock will cost you around £9,500. That's brilliant value for money when you consider its quality and image are way above its rivals."

He added: "Its family car abilities are also among the best in the class. Best of all, it's lost the largest proportion of its value before you buy."

Gerry Hunt, sales operations manager at VW dealers Rye Mill, London Road, High Wycombe, was not surprised at the award.

He said: "Since the new one came out, it has done very well because it's reliable, it is quality and it is one of the best diesels running on the road."

Mr Hunt added: "It's reliable; performance wise, there's nothing wrong. it's a fine car."

Judges, made up of used car experts, were looking for vehicles which combined excellent value for money with reliability, practicality, low running-costs and fine on-road ability.

The Passat was considered to reign supreme by judges because: "It is sensational value, drives well, is refined, safe, secure, reliable and cheap to run."

The judging panel voted the Peugeot 206 1.4 LX as the Best Used Supermini and the Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec as the Best used Small Hatch.

For full results about the awards, go to www.whatcar.com