Recession? Tish and pish - this year's shown record-breaking sales for several car manufacturers. Mercedes, Audi, Dacia - they've all been huge winners. Same in the world of classics. We've seen a new old car lay claim to being the world's most expensive (Ferrari 250 GTO, fact fans) and a 1967 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T Spyder become the world's priciest Ferrari.
But the stuff that's really selling is a little more... down-at-heel. Golfs not Gallardos. Corsas not Corvettes. Here are Britain's biggest selling cars in 2013.Advertisement - Page continues belowPeugeot 208: 36,303 sold
A return to form for Peugeot after the blobby 207. Doesn't drive quite so keenly as a Fiesta, but a fine thing nonetheless.
Volkswagen Polo: 39,202 sold
An astoundingly good little car whose only real failing is that it lacks the dynamic spirit of some of its rivals. Clearly you lot didn't care.
Read our review hereAdvertisement - Page continues belowBMW 1-series: 39,204 sold
Maybe not the prettiest face, but beyond that it's one of the most sorted hatches you can buy. The M135i is sublime, but even the basest 1-Series diesels are excellent.
Read our review hereBMW 3-series: 40,065 sold
Better to drive, better to ride in, and better to look at than the outgoing version. Just go easy on the specs...
Read our review hereNissan Qashqai: 47,695 sold
There's a new ‘un coming in January, but that hasn't stopped the genre-defining crossover destroying its competition.
Read our review hereVolkswagen Golf: 60,431 sold
The car that defines the hatchback is now into its seventh generation, and better than ever. Golf GTI is still the finest grown-up hot hatch.
Read our review hereAdvertisement - Page continues belowVauxhall Astra: 62,835 sold
We'd have a Golf, but you lot clearly know better. In your defence, this is the best the Astra's ever been. VXR is a nutjob.
Vauxhall Corsa: 77,861 sold
Ancient, soon to be replaced and rather off the pace nowadays. Obviously these things don't worry you. We'll assume you got some decent discounts?
Read our review hereAdvertisement - Page continues belowFord Focus: 81,791 sold
Some truly superb variants - from the 999cc to the utterly wonderful ST - mean there's a Focus fit for pretty much everyone in the country. You agreed.
Read our review hereFord Fiesta: 113,417 sold
We just crowned the ST our Car Of 2013, but even the cheapest Fiestas - especially that lovely one-litre three-cylinder - are better to drive than anything else in their class. A worthy number one.
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