EXCLUSIVE analysis by the UK's leading automotive servicing and repair company has revealed which cars on UK roads are most likely to have had components replaced and potentially be in the best condition as a used car buy.

Motorists considering buying a used Hyundai, Citroen or Nissan should take comfort, as they are most likely to find newer components.

More than two millionof the UK's car owners take their vehicles to Kwik Fit centres each year.

The company's analysts looked at which models were disproportionately more likely to be brought in for maintenance in every area of Great Britain.

From its inaugural Maintenance Index, Kwik Fit has ranked the models by the number of locations in which owners were most likely to have brought them in to have new components fitted.

The analysts assessed replacement of a range of common components including brakes, batteries, exhausts, steering, suspension and shock absorbers, wheels and windscreens.

The Kwik Fit team found that this year the ranking is topped by the Hyundai i30, the Citroen Berlingo, the Citroen C1 and the Nissan Note.

The i30 received more new components than the average car in eight areas of Great Britain, while the two Citroen models and the Nissan Note each top the table in seven areas. Models from Ford, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Peugeot and Vauxhall also appear in high ranking spots in the index.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: "Because we have more than 600 Kwik Fit centres across the country and see more than two million of the UK's cars each year, we have a huge sample of data on repairs on every make and model for our expert team to analyse. This, along with being independent of any one manufacturer, provides our analysts with a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the current condition of the UK car parc than almost anyone else in the motor industry.

"Of course, while the Maintenance Index has highlighted those models which are most likely to have had new components fitted, our advice is consistent across all vehicles when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Prevention is always better than cure - and usually safer and cheaper in the long run. And when considering a used car, the better buy is usually likely to be one with a record of preventative maintenance."