BRITAIN'S favourite supermini the Ford Fiesta has held on to top spot in the Total Cost of Motoring consumer research charts.

But the latest figures released by independent car cost analysts CAP reveal more economy-conscious buyers are turning to German models, with BMW, Volkswagen and Audi taking six out of the top 10 places.

Drivers looking to save cash by choosing the best car for their long-term budgets have been consulting Total Cost of Motoring to gain an insight into current car values and future depreciation, fuel and servicing costs.

The latest data reveals that the Fiesta remains the car most motorists are most interested in researching over long term running costs, underlining its position as the best selling new car on the UK market.

The Ford Focus also continues to ride high in the charts, slipping just one place to number four in consumers' ownership cost investigations.

But apart from one new entry by Nissan, at number three with the Qashqai diesel, every other car in the top 10 is a BMW, Volkswagen or Audi.

CAP believes consumers now understand the impact of car depreciation better than ever before and the reputation of the German trio for holding their value.

Its retail and consumer expert Philip Nothard said: "Our independent Total Cost of Motoring forecasts consistently reveal that depreciation is the biggest drain on your budget over the ownership period of any car.

"German brands enjoy a reputation among motorists for holding their value and that explains why so many of the people looking at CAP's projected ownership costs are looking into the affordability of a BMW, Volkswagen or Audi."

CAP charts the enquiries at its website to understand the purchase intentions of up to 100,000 consumers a month who are in the market to change their car.

The top ten cars researched are: 1. Ford Fiesta petrol, 2. BMW 3 Series saloon diesel, 3. Nissan Qashqai diesel, 4. Ford Focus hatchback petrol, 5. Volkswagen Golf hatchback diesel, 6. Volkswagen Golf hatchback petrol, 7. BMW 5 Series saloon diesel, 8. BMW 3 Series Touring diesel, 9. Ford Fiesta diesel, 10. Audi A3 Sportback petrol.