Are you in the market for a second-hand car? 

If so, it might be time to go electric.

That's according to What Car?, which has just named the Skoda Enyaq EV its Used Car of the Year.

The family-friendly, highly practical and affordable SUV beat out almost 1,200 competitors to claim the trophy - the first time an EV has lifted the crown in the award's long history.

Every year a team of experts from the automotive title choose the best used motors on the market based on a combination of price, value, practicality, performance and reliability.

Dating back to 1978, the awards have helped Britons choose the best used cars for almost half an century. 

And this year it says there's no better second-hand option than the Enyaq EV (2021-present).

But if battery power isn't for you, we've also revealed which other second-hand motors with petrol and diesel engines come highly commended by the team of experts, from combustion estate cars to growling hot hatches.

The Skoda Enyaq was chosen from a field of 1,183 second-hand cars because What Car? found it offers unbeatable value, unrivalled practicality and an exceptionally long range for the price.

The Enyaq can be bought for as little as £13,000 - two-thirds of the price of a brand new version (£26,000).

What Car?'s used cars editor Mark Pearson said: 'When it comes to bang for your buck, few cars of any type can match the Skoda Enyaq.

'Its £13,000 starting price is significantly less than you’d pay for any similar-sized rival, including the Tesla Model Y (2022-present), which costs upwards of £18,000.

'The Enyaq has acres of space inside, and the larger of the two EV battery options, delivers an official range of 333 miles, which outdoes the Model Y Long Range.'

The Enyaq also scooped up the Best Used Electric SUV title, taking its collective trophies to two.

What Car? says that the Enyaq's win, and the availability of great, cheap, used EV buys proves there's never been a better time to buy a used electric vehicle as prices are lower than ever.

But the Enyaq isn't the only affordable EV winner; the Tesla Model 3 (2019-present) was named used executive car of the year and can be picked up for as little as £12,000 - and that's a 2019 example.

The Model 3 delivers great range, easy ultra-rapid charging and headline-grabbing tech. 

What about the best petrol/diesel used cars? 

The rest of the remaining recommended used motors all use combustion engines, EV sceptics will be glad to hear.

The Toyota Corolla (2019-present) was named the best used hatchback thanks to its impressive reliability, and how comfortable, well-equipped and appealing it is for around £10,000.

Taking home the title of best used estate was the Mercedes E-Class Estate (2016-2023) which combines a massively spacious interior and huge boot with a refined ride.

The Skoda Kamiq (2019-present) was awarded the best small SUV badge - the second Skoda winner. 

What Car? rates the Kamiq for how much space it offers for a small SUV and that it's an easy, comfortable ride.

From small SUVs to large family SUVs, the Peugeot 5008 was voted the best seven-seater. 

Prices range from about £12,000 for older 2017-2018 models, up to around £24,000 for 2024 used examples. 

A stylish, practical and good drive, it's one of the best, affordable used SUVs you can buy. The 5008 also won in 2023. 

A German marque takes the prize in the plug-in hybrid category: The Audi A3 40 TFSIe (2020-present) is the best used PHEV, with buyers able to enjoy how fun it is to drive, while also being comfortable and spacious.

And finally, the ninth car to be crowned a winner was the Toyota GR Yaris (2020-present). 

This car has cult status at this point, so it's no surprise it's been voted the best used sports car by the judges. It's widely acknowledged to be one of the top hot hatches of recent years.

It'll set you back minimum £21,000, up to £30,000-plus if you get a newer example.

This year's Used Car of the Year Awards come at a point where pre-owned sales are getting back to pre-pandemic levels, and the market is seeing a period of health.

Petrol remains the dominant fuel type but sales of used EVs last year rose by 40 per cent, as prices fell and the cost of some tempting brands like Tesla fell to very appealing prices. 

If you're shopping around for a used car then take note that now is a smart time to buy.

This is because prices are only likely to go up, as demand is high and it's a good time to sell.