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Audi A3 hatchbacks hold their value better than any other used car, according to a study released today by Auto Trader.

The average price of an Audi A3 bought new in 2009 fell by just 7 per cent in the period to July 2010. Second place went to the Vauxhall Corsa, which dropped by 10 per cent.

The report analysed the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK in 2009 and compared their purchase price when new to the prices advertised on Auto Trader in July 2010.

Britain's biggest selling car of 2009, the Ford Fiesta, ranks fifth, dropping by 26 per cent, while Ford Focus - voted by Auto Trader.co.uk readers as the car of the decade - dropped by 39 per cent.

The research shows used car values are not driven solely by the original price, with the Audi A3 and Vauxhall Vectra Life both costing for around £16,000 when new.

Nine of the top 10 cars in the list have lost less than half of their value over the period when cars shed more of their new price than at any other time.

Top 10 used car price winners:
1. Audi A3: 7 per cent
2. Vauxhall Corsa: 10 per cent
3. Honda Jazz: 18 per cent
4. Peugeot 207: 20 per cent
5. Ford Fiesta: 23 per cent
6. Volkswagen Golf: 26 per cent
7. Vauxhall Insignia: 34 per cent
8. Ford Focus: 39 per cent
9. Vauxhall Astra: 45 per cent
10. Vauxhall Vectra Life: 54 per cent

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