THE Ford Focus, Britain's best-selling car for both fleet and retail buyers, is the model most dealers look out for at auction, according to the CAP Used Car Confidence Index.

Strong residual values, high reliability and good build quality have made the car a favourite among dealers, according to the index.

The Ford Focus now has the best residual values for any Ford model and achieves a 25% premium over the car it replaced, the Ford Escort.

Mark Norman, who heads CAP Network's residual value forecasting team, said: 'Three years ago, we forecast a trade value today of £5,025 for a Focus with 60,000 miles on the clock - just £25 less than today's actual market value.

'Our confidence in the car's appeal to today's used car buyer was justified.

'It has raised Ford's small family car offering to near the top of the league table, beating traditionally strong Japanese makers such as Toyota and Honda.'

Russ Tilley, manager for rental distribution and remarketing at Ford, said: 'The Focus is not just a very popular new car, but is highly desirable in the secondhand market too.'