Among the cars in stock are favourites such as the Focus and Fiesta. "The new Focus has a loyal customer base and a lot of buyers have been trading in the . rstgeneration model when opting for their '06 car, " comments Denis McSweeney, Marketing Director of Ford Ireland. "As a used car, the Focus is a real cracker, having won several awards for its reliability."

The Ford Fiesta has always been a popular buy, not least among . rsttime motorists. The high spec levels of the best-selling Fiesta Steel model enhances its appeal to young buyers.

The 5*4*3*2*1 sale concentrates on quality used cars from the last . ve years, both Ford and non-Ford.

Among them are many Ford 1st Choice specially-approved cars, which carry one year's warranty, twoyear roadside assistance and have undergone a 101 point AA check.

"With more money, people are changing their cars more regularly.

The quality we are getting in is improving, " explains McSweeney.

"The expression ?there's never been a better time to buy a used car' is a hackneyed one, but it really does hold. Ford has sold nearly 11,000 new cars so far this year - that means over 9,000 trade-ins coming in to dealerships around the country.

The result is wide choice and lower prices for the canny buyer."