The list, compiled by independent mechanical breakdown insurer, Warranty Direct, found that every car in the Top 10, and an amazing 16 out of the Top 20, were Japanese models. The Honda Accord was at number one.

Models were ranked according to the frequency of failure and based on a database of over 55,000 vehicles. Last year, over 7.5m Britons spent £25bn buying a used car - nearly seven times the number of people who bought a new car privately.

The Top Ten Most Reliable Used Cars according to Warranty Direct:

	Rank	Model	Used car expert commentary
	1	Honda Accord	A classy package, well put together and feels more special than the average family car. Superb engines and value for money.
	2	Subaru Forester	Not quite an off roader, much more than an estate with a sporty edge, making it the perfect combination. Great all round buy.
	3	Mazda MX-5	Blueprint for the modern roadster with sweet handling and engines to match. Extremely easy to live with.
	4	Mitsubishi Carisma	Despite the name, not that interesting to look at or drive, but that’s not the point. Here is a no-nonsense hatchback that won’t let you down.
	5	Toyota Yaris	Superminis don’t come better. Bags of room and perky engines. Probably the best small car buy.
	6	Honda Civic	Solid build quality and good engines are just part of the appeal, the Civic is one of the most spacious small cars around. Great value.
	7	Nissan Almera	A dull package, but that’s no reason to dismiss the Almera which is practical and perfect for the smaller family who need a big boot and utter reliability.
	8	Honda CR-V	Proof that you don’t need an XXXL 4×4. Here is a four-wheel drive estate that is flexible, easy to drive and own.
	9	Toyota RAV4	So few four-wheel drives are fun to drive. This car is suitably sporty, but very practical. Expensive used buy but worth it.
	10	Nissan Micra	The driving school favorite. Tough, fairly roomy, but with its light controls is easy to steer around town.

The highest placed non-Japanese model was the British built Jaguar X-Type in 13th with the mighty German automotive industry first appearing at number 25 with the sporty executive Mercedes-Benz SLK according to Warranty Direct.

Used car expert, James Ruppert says: "I am regularly asked what car to buy that won’t break down and I always reply, anything Japanese. This is based on my experience and it is great to see that the real life statistics produced by Warranty Direct back this up."

Volvo’s S/V40 was the highest placed Swedish manufacturer in 15th, with the nation’s most popular manufacturer, Ford, delivering its best ranked model, the Ka, in 22nd. Hyundai’s Lantra was the pick of the Koreans and the Citroen Xsara was the best-placed French model at number 26.

"Obviously reliability is not the main reason why someone might choose one model over another, but it is still an important consideration for the majority," says Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct.

"However, used car buyers are considerably more cautious. Japanese models may not be the most charismatic but you’re unlikely to spend a great deal of money and time in the garage keeping it on the road."

The full Top 100 Most Reliable Cars Of The past ten years:

Pos	Model
	11	Lexus IS 200
	12	Mazda 626
	13	Jaguar X-Type
	14	Toyota Landcruiser
	15	Volvo S/V40
	16	MINI (BMW)
	17	Suzuki Vitara
	18	Mazda 323
	19	Toyota Carina E
	20	Saab 9-5
	21	Lexus LS400
	22	Ford Ka
	23	Rover 45
	24	Hyundai Lantra
	25	Mercedes SLK
	26	Citroen Xsara
	27	Ford Cougar
	28	Subaru Impreza
	29	Skoda Octavia
	30	Audi A4
	31	Nissan Primera
	32	Toyota Avensis
	33	Volvo 850
	34	Vauxhall Corsa
	35	Seat Toledo
	36	Volkswagen Golf
	37	Daewoo Lanos
	38	Fiat Brava
	39	Hyundai Coupe
	40	Mitsubishi Shogun
	41	Rover 25
	42	Mercedes CLK
	43	Fiat Marea
	44	Ford Focus
	45	Peugeot 106
	46	MG MG TF
	47	BMW Z3
	48	Hyundai Accent
	49	Volkswagen Polo
	50	Fiat Punto
	51	Vauxhall Zafira
	52	Mercedes C-class
	53	Volvo S60
	54	Toyota MR2
	55	Mazda Xedos 6
	56	Ford Puma
	57	Vauxhall Astra
	58	Vauxhall Omega
	59	Chrysler Neon
	60	Audi A2
	61	Ford Fiesta
	62	Ford Mondeo
	63	Vauxhall Corsa
	64	Citroen Saxo
	65	BMW 3 Series
	66	Vauxhall Vectra
	67	Isuzu Trooper
	68	Mercedes M-Class
	69	Subaru Legacy
	70	Rover 400
	71	Fiat Ulysse
	72	Mercedes E-Class
	73	Renault Clio
	74	Toyota Celica
	75	Peugeot 306
	76	Peugeot 406
	77	Volvo S70
	78	Rover 75
	79	Daewoo Matiz
	80	Peugeot 206
	81	Mazda MX-3
	82	Vauxhall Tigra
	83	Seat Ibiza
	84	Peugeot 106
	85	Renault Megane
	86	Peugeot 406
	87	Saab 9-3
	88	Audi A3
	89	BMW X5
	90	Mercedes S-class
	91	Toyota Corolla
	92	Seat Alhambra
	93	BMW 5-series
	94	Daewoo Nubira
	95	Alfa Romeo 145
	96	Saab 900
	97	Mazda MX-6
	98	Jaguar S-Type
	99	Daewoo Leganza
	100	Porsche Boxster