In these pages we focus on design, breakthroughs, enabling technologies and concepts and it's rare that we look at product that has been in the marketplace for some time, much less second-hand product. But when we saw what UK company automotive warranty company was up to, we know you'll agree that it's worth a mention. As a privately owned insurance intermediary, the firm collects lots of data about warranty issues – something you'll never find out from the only other people who have access to the information (the manufacturers). In a very clever move, it has taken this secondary data and produced a reliability index – an independent comparison of frequency of failure across the 55,000 vehicles it insures. Read on for a list of the 100 most reliable used cars over the past decade. And before you take a peek, have a guess at where the best Japanese, German, Swedish, British, Korean and French-built cars will rank. You won't even come close!

Firstly, the company is Warranty Direct, and their reliability index can be found here. Secondly, congratulations to the Honda Accord which ranked at number one, and to Honda, Nissan and Toyota who all managed two cars in the top 10. Thirdly, congratulations to the Japanese automotive industry which supplied every car in the Top 10, and an amazing 16 of the Top 20. The highest placed non-Japanese model was the British built Jaguar X-Type in 13th with the mighty German automotive industry first appearing at number 25.

Volvo's S/V40 was the highest placed Swedish manufacturer in 15th, with the nation's most popular manufacturer, Ford, delivering its best ranked model, the Ka, in 22nd. Hyundai's Lantra was the pick of the Koreans and the Citroen Xsara was the best-placed French model at number 26.

And a very special mention to Toyota - Toyota has an ambition to become the world's largest motor company and on the results of this survey, it fully deserves to get there. It scored as well as any other manufacturer in the top ten cars with two contenders, but also took eleventh spot with the Lexus IS 200, fourteenth with the Landcruiser, 19th with the Carina E, and 21st with the Lexus 400 - six cars in the top 21 represents a fantastic effort but a look down the list confirms what we'd always suspected - they have been building the most reliable cars for a long time - long product lines such as the Celica and Corolla are also there. Those cars have been produced for 30 years in vast numbers - it's not just one very reliable model here and there - .

"Obviously reliability is not the main reason why someone might choose one model over another, but it is still an important consideration for the majority," says Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct. "However, used car buyers are considerably more cautious. Japanese models may not be the most charismatic but you're unlikely to spend a great deal of money and time in the garage keeping it on the road."

Just a note to ensure fairness - cars with extended warranties are unlikely to appear on this list, for obvious reasons. As some manufacturers offer such schemes across the range, they will also be under-represented.

The 10 most reliable cars according to Warranty Direct:

Honda Accord - A classy package, well put together and feels more special than the average family car. Superb engines and value for money.

Subaru Forester - Not quite an off roader, much more than an estate with a sporty edge, making it the perfect combination. Great all round buy.

Mazda MX-5 - Blueprint for the modern roadster with sweet handling and engines to match. Extremely easy to live with.

Mitsubishi Carisma - Despite the name, not that interesting to look at or drive, but that's not the point. Here is a no-nonsense hatchback that won't let you down.

Toyota Yaris - Superminis don't come better. Bags of room and perky engines. Probably the best small car buy.

Honda Civic - Solid build quality and good engines are just part of the appeal, the Civic is one of the most spacious small cars around. Great value.

Nissan Almera - A dull package, but that's no reason to dismiss the Almera which is practical and perfect for the smaller family who need a big boot and utter reliability.

Honda CR-V - Proof that you don't need an XXXL 4x4. Here is a four-wheel drive estate that is flexible, easy to drive and own.

Toyota RAV4 - So few four-wheel drives are fun to drive. This car is suitably sporty, but very practical. Expensive used buy but worth it.

Nissan Micra - The driving school favourite. Tough, fairly roomy, but with its light controls is easy to steer around town.

The Warranty Direct Top 100 Most Reliable Used Cars Of The Past Decade

Honda Accord

Subaru Forester

Mazda MX-5

Mitsubishi Carisma

Toyota Yaris

Honda Civic

Nissan Almera

Honda CR-V

Toyota RAV4

Nissan Micra

Lexus IS 200

Mazda 626

Jaguar X-Type

Toyota Landcruiser

Volvo S/V40

MINI (BMW)

Suzuki Vitara

Mazda 323

Toyota Carina E

Saab 9-5

Lexus LS400

Ford Ka

Rover 45

Hyundai Lantra

Mercedes SLK

Citroen Xsara

Ford Cougar

Subaru Impreza

Skoda Octavia

Audi A4

Nissan Primera

Toyota Avensis

Volvo 850

Vauxhall Corsa

Seat Toledo

Volkswagen Golf

Daewoo Lanos

Fiat Brava

Hyundai Coupe

Mitsubishi Shogun

Rover 25

Mercedes CLK

Fiat Marea

Ford Focus

Peugeot 106

MG MG TF

BMW Z3

Hyundai Accent

Volkswagen Polo

Fiat Punto

Vauxhall Zafira

Mercedes C-class

Volvo S60

Toyota MR2

Mazda Xedos 6

Ford Puma

Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall Omega

Chrysler Neon

Audi A2

Ford Fiesta

Ford Mondeo

Vauxhall Corsa

Citroen Saxo

BMW 3 Series

Vauxhall Vectra

Isuzu Trooper

Mercedes M-Class

Subaru Legacy

Rover 400

Fiat Ulysse

Mercedes E-Class

Renault Clio

Toyota Celica

Peugeot 306

Peugeot 406

Volvo S70

Rover 75

Daewoo Matiz

Peugeot 206

Mazda MX-3

Vauxhall Tigra

Seat Ibiza

Peugeot 106

Renault Megane

Peugeot 406

Saab 9-3

Audi A3

BMW X5

Mercedes S-class

Toyota Corolla

Seat Alhambra

BMW 5-series

Daewoo Nubira

Alfa Romeo 145

Saab 900

Mazda MX-6

Jaguar S-Type

Daewoo Leganza

Porsche Boxster