After a couple of rocky years, led probably by the struggling economy, car buying is on the increase again. Practicality won out, with Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen topping the charts for 2010, ahead of flashier manufacturers such as BMW.

The top cars were:

1.    Ford Fiesta – with 103,013 sales in 2010 this popular subcompact continues to attract the pragmatic buyer. Now in its sixth generation, the Ford Fiesta is an efficient, low cost, practical car for commuters and families alike.
2.    Vauxhall Astra – the Astra range has been a mainstay of Vauxhall’s line since 1979. In 2010, the Astra sold 80,646 units in 2010. In some parts of Europe, the Vauxhall Astra is known as the Opel Astra.
3.    Ford Focus – the Focus is a popular compact with widespread appeal.  It is most well known for its appearance in the British Touring Car Championship, and World Rally Championships.
4.    Vauxhall Corsa – also known as the Opel Corsa, this supermini has enjoyed a place in the top five for several years thanks to its practicality and low cost. Some motoring journalists have bemoaned the weak engine and poor handling, but the price is the premium feature for many people.
5.    Volkswagen Golf – the Golf is a small family car that is fuel efficient, quiet, and inexpensive. The car is available in several variations, including a 5 and 6 speed manual gearbox, and a 6 or 7 speed DSG.
Most of the above cars are low cost, subcompact or mini models, and they aren’t exactly the most stylish cars in the world. The popularity of the above cars leads to many problems. For example, if you’ve ever tried to find your blue Ford Focus in a crowded car park, you’ll have noticed exactly how many other people opted for exactly the same model.
Fortunately, customising cars isn’t too difficult these days. There are many sites with cherished number plates for sale, so you could get your number plate replaced with one similar to your name, or a catch phrase that describes yourself. You can find private number plates cheap on a range of specialist websites, as well as in motoring magazines.

If private number plates aren’t enough for you, then why not investigate other customisations, such as custom decals, tyre trims, and wheel hubs? If you’re feeling adventurous, then under-car lighting is a nice way to trick out your car, but you should remember that under car lighting is not allowed to be switched on at times when it would be distracting to other road users. This means that you could use under car lighting while you’re parked, or off-road (for example on private land), but you cannot have it switched on while you’re on the road.

If a more subtle look appeals to you, then consider investing in a leather interior, or custom car seats. Not only will this add to your level of comfort, it will also give your car a unique look, without breaking the bank.