The premium convertible, premium upper medium and large MPV sectors top a league table of best performing used cars in the last three years produced by Glass's Information Services.

Cars in these sectors are worth on average 60.1%, 50.5% and 49.6% respectively of their current new car price, maintaining their positions at one, two and three in the used car league.

The worst performer according to Glass's are the large, upper medium and luxury sectors, which includes the Vauxhall Omega, Ford Mondeo and Jaguar XJ series. After three years these categories of car are worth 33.8%, 36.9% and 41.2% of their price new.

Glass's saw the biggest movement in the luxury car sector, which fell four places to joint ninth, caused mainly by drivers downsizing to vehicles that cost less to service, maintain, tax and ensure.

Downsizing could also be to blame for the slide from fourth to sixth spot for the large premium sector cars. But, the off-road 4x4 sector has moved from eighth to fourth position inspired, Glass's says, by a recovery in diesel sales and boosted by the arrival of the Mercedes M Class.

Adrian Rushmore, Glass's Information Service managing editor, said: “The overall running costs of new cars are being analysed more closelyl, while more drivers want a car that meets all their family and work needs. These sentiments are being echoed when a driver buys a three-year-old car, which is why we are seeing the increased popularity of diesels and MPVs.”

{*Glass's three years*}