Latest news with #Which
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The 10 most reliable older cars that are cheap and dependable - and the lemons to dodge
For drivers on the hunt for a reliable car, there's no need to spend big on a brand new model. There are plenty of cheap older motors that provide hugely dependable at a fraction of the price. For less than £3,000, you can pick up a second-hand motor between 10 and 15 years old with a stellar track record for barely suffering problems, rarely breaking down and being cheap, easy and quick to fix. We reveal which older motors offer near fault-free ownership, according to Britons who currently drive them daily. Exclusive data provided by Which? from its annual car survey has named 10 ageing models with five-star reliability ratings - and we can tell you what percentage of owners reported faults and breakdowns, and how many days their vehicles spent off the road being repaired last year. From city cars to roadsters and large SUVs, there's an option for every driver on the hunt for a second-hand vehicle they can truly count on. Michael Passingham, senior researcher at the consumer group, said it is hybrid cars that dominate the list of most reliable 10 to 15-year-old motors. 'Why do these cars perform so well? One reason could be that the hardest part of a car's life – starting and pulling away – are mostly handled by the small electric motor,' he explains. 'These motors have fewer moving parts than combustion engines and, along with sturdy main battery packs, really don't have to work all that hard. 'The downside is that our data shows a much higher failure rate of the 12V battery (the small battery all cars have) on full hybrids; this component is worked hard so it pays to buy a quality one and get it replaced every five years or so.' He says the reliability of 'full' hybrids (also referred to as 'conventional' and 'self-charging' hybrids) bodes well for the future, with new examples given a five-year stay of execution from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars. This was confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer in April when he relaxed electric vehicle sales targets to support manufacturers in the immediate wake of US President Donald Trump announcing increased tariffs on all foreign car export. 'While plug-in hybrids are one of the least reliable engine types according to our data, full hybrids should provide owners with fuss-free motoring for years to come,' Michael said. So which examples of 10 to 15-year-old cars are the most dependable? Here's the countdown... 10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019) Average used price: £4,650 The Auris - replaced by the Corolla in 2019 - was for almost two decades Toyota's family hatchback rival to the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf. With the choice of hybrid drivetrains, it was considered one of the greener options, as well as one that carrying a strong reliability background. And it appears the second-generation Auris - sold between 2012 and 2019 - continues to provide plenty of dependability. With fewer than three in ten owners saying their Auris had a fault in the previous 12 months, its proving to be a car you can count on, even if some models are over a decade old. While just 7 per cent of drivers said their Toyota broke down, an average of 5.3 days off the road for repairs is higher than the rest of the cars in this list.. For around £4,650, there aren't many practical family motors that can match this level of reliability for so few pounds sterling. 9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014) Average used price: £2,800 Launched in 2009, the Suzuki Alto was incredibly cheap. Though for a reason. This supermini was sparse on equipment, luxuries and comfort, with the aim to sell an affordable model that appealed to the masses. Produced in conjunction with Nissan - on a shared platform with the Pixo - it was budget friendly even when new. With such simplicity comes lots of reliability, it would seem. With just a quarter of owners saying their 10 to 15-year-old Altos had developed faults, it's proving remarkably robust. Just 1 per cent of drivers said their Alto broke down in the 12-month period, and just 2.6 days on average off the road for repairs is testament to how easy to fix these cars are. With used prices typically around £2,800, this is the cheapest choice from the list. What might put you off is its three-star EuroNCAP crash rating scored in 2009. By today's standards, it's probably not the most secure motor you can buy. 8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020) Average used price: £3,100 For more than 25 years, the supermini typically recommended to drivers wanting a dependable small car has been Toyota's Yaris. Its durability has been one of its biggest selling points since the Mk1 model arrived in 1999, and this third-generation variant available new between 2011 and 2020 has carried on these traits. The Yaris has always been practical and roomy. With the addition of hybrid drivetrain, it's one of the most economical too. Less than one in four owners of this generation of Yaris said they had experienced a fault, and just 6 per cent a breakdown. And just 3.1 of the 365 days of the year off the road isn't too bad for a car that's up to 14 years old. With prices now just over £3,000, this is very good option. 7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016) Average used price: £3,500 The second model from Suzuki to make the list of reliable older motors is the 2010-2016 Swift supermini. Criminally overlooked, the Swift is a practical package that for years has offered affordable motoring. It's also very good to drive, with a well-balanced chassis and some impressive engine options. A fault count of 27 per cent of owners in the previous 12 months isn't as high as others in this list, though with 8 per cent of cars breaking down, it has required the services of the AA, RAC, Green Flag and the likes more so than any other car in this top 10. However, spending just 1.4 days off the road for repairs in the year-long period shows the Swift is easy to put right. And with prices as low as £3,500, this is a great option for new drivers looking for a dependable vehicle. 6. BMW X1 (2009-2015) Average used price: £5,200 Luxury SUVs are rarely described as reliable, especially as they get older. But the first-generation BMW X1 appears to be bucking that trend, according to Which?... It's incredibly rare for the words 'luxury SUV' and 'reliability' to be used together. Expensive large models can often mean lots of problems and expensive repair bills, but it seems BMW's smallest SUV is bucking that trend. The first-generation X1 launched in 2009 and on sale until 2015 is one of the most reliable older family cars, according to Which?'s latest poll. While a third of owners encountered a fault or two in the last year of driving, just 7 per cent said their Beemers broke down. And with an average time off the road of 2.1 days, the X1 is being fixed quicker than other models higher in this list. As is the case for ageing SUVs, there's been plenty of depreciation as drivers steer clear to avoid potentially high running costs. But prices of £5,200 combined with this reported steely robustness makes it a strong used car candidate. 5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019) Average used price: £4,500 Skoda discontinued its city car, the CitiGo, just over five years ago, but it's still one of the best options if you want a brilliant little runaround that's easy to manoeuvre around town, is impressively frugal on petrol and - in most instances - free to tax. The sister model to the Seat Mii and VW Up!, these three cars were mechanically identical and produced in the same factory. But the Skoda was always the cheaper option - though typically provided a little extra equipment to satisfy its generally older customer base. Five-door models are surprisingly roomy, the low insurance group means affordable premiums for all ages and - at around £4,500, values are now invitingly cheap. As are repair bills, it would seem. Just over one in five CitiGo owners told Which? their car had developed an issue in the previous 12 months, with only 5 per cent suffering breakdowns. Time off the road being fixed is nearly 3 days on average. 4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015) Average used price: £3,800 Given the more advanced age of the typical Which? member, the Honda Jazz is unsurprisingly owned my thousands and loved eternally. But there's very good reason for why Honda's supermini is popular among a certain demographic. Easy to drive, extremely roomy, packed with clever features (like its 'Magic Seat' design) and cheap to run, there's a lot to love about the Jazz. And it's also performed incredibly well for reliability. It is another five-star rated older motor for dependability. The second-generation car, sold from 2008 to 2015, might be over 10 years old now but is still going strong. One in four owners reported a fault with their cars and the average time in the garage was 2.7 days being fixed by mechanics. Some 4 per cent of drivers said they'd suffered a breakdown in the previous 12 months, too, but it's still impressive for a small car of this vintage. And with prices now below £4,000, the Jazz is a commendably cheap and reliable option. 3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015) Average used price: £6,400 Which? members really love the RX. So much so, in fact, that they voted it the most satisfying car to own in 2024. So, it should come as little surprise that robust reliability has factored into this decision. Based purely on the hybrid-powered examples, just one in 16 owners of the 2009-2015 variant told the watchdog that their RX 450h had developed a problem over the 12 months prior. Zero breakdowns were recorded by owners, while those who were forced to have their big Lexus SUVs repaired typically had to do without them for two days. With average second-hand prices of this generation of RX down to around £6,400, this is a top candidate for a family car that's both dependable and relatively fuel efficient. 2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015) Average used price: £3,800 Sports car and reliability are two words that rarely go together, but not if you're talking about the world's best-selling roadster of all time. Mazda's MX-5 is iconic. Debuting way back in 1989, it is a staple of Britain's roads and continues to be loved by drivers today. The model in question here is the third-generation car, which is proving hugely reliable still thanks to that bulletproof Japanese build quality that has carried the MX-5 for decades. Not a single owner of this era of MX-5 reported a fault in the previous 12 months and only a quarter said they had to deal with faults. Even when these did occur, drivers were typically without their cars for just 1.7 days while they were being repaired. With prices as low as £3,820, this is both cheap and fun driving on a seriously small budget. 1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020) Average used price: £7,300 The Lexus CT 200h was the Japanese marque's answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf in the medium-size family hatchback segment for a decade. Owners say they are incredibly robust still today, despite being up to 14 years old Faults: 13% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.2 Top of models with five-star 10 to 15-year reliability is the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback that was first released in 2011 that remained in showrooms until 2020. Based on owner feedback, models of this car over 10 years old suffered zero breakdowns in the 12 months before completing the survey, and just 13 per cent of drivers reported any kind of fault. When something did go wrong, these cars spent just over a day off the road for repairs on average; far below the average of 4.5 days for cars this age. It can be bought for somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000 and is also loved by owners, scoring four stars out of five for satisfaction in the consumer watchdog's annual poll. While some complained about rear legroom, a small boot and clunky infotainment system, feedback from owners was generally glowing; a third specifically mentioned reliability as a thing they love about the car, while another third raved about comfort. Graham Elliott, from Scarborough, said it is 'the finest car that I have ever owned'. Another respondent's only criticism was that Lexus no longer makes them. The diesel Vauxhall Zafira B (2005-2014) is the least dependable older car between 10 and 15 years of age - and one Which? says you are best to avoid Look away now Sunderland factory workers: The first-generation Nissan Qashqai, produced at the North East car plant, is listed as the second least reliable older motor in the Which? survey Which older cars do you need to avoid? Vauxhall's Zafira (2005-2014) with diesel engines is the car Which? recommends buyers try to avoid if they want to evade high repair bills and a high risk of being stranded at the roadside. The MPV has become synonymous with fires in recent years due to issues with the heater blower motor and regulator. This is primarily due to owners replacing parts on this second-generation model with cheap aftermarket components. But it appears fixing a Zafira is a frequent task, with more than half of owners telling Which? they encountered a fault of some sort in the last 12 months - and three in ten suffering a breakdown. An average of more than a fortnight off the road for repairs is also a huge inconvenience nobody wants. Another notable poor performer is the first-generation Nissan Qashqai (2007-2013), again with the diesel engines, which suffered a high volume of faults, too many instances of breakdowns and almost a week per year in garages being repaired. Which? says that in the 10 to 15-year-old car age group, diesel is by far the least dependable fuel type with an average fault rate of 48 per cent. This compares to just 39 per cent for petrols and a mere 23 per cent for hybrids. LEAST RELIABLE OLDER CARS AGED 10-15 YEARS Car make and model Faults Breakdowns Days off road Vauxhall Zafira DIESEL (2005 - 2014) 55% 30% 16.9 Nissan Qashqai DIESEL (2007 - 2013) 61% 13% 4.8 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007 - 2014) 62% 14% 8 Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 - 2013) 67% 9% 2.5 Audi A4 (2008 - 2015) 59% 15% 6.8 Source: Which? Car Survey Breakdowns, time off road and faults (weighted for severity of each fault) all impact the overall reliability rating for each car. Data based on an online survey of 60,448 drivers who told us about the 71,002 cars they owned, conducted April 2024 to June 2024
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
May flight fares surge in ‘half-term holiday rip-off'
Half-term holidaymakers are being ripped off by airlines, experts have said. The cost of flights during school half-term holidays has tripled since 2000, a Telegraph analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggests. While the summer months are consistently the most expensive period for air travel, May is now a close second. The problem is worsening every year, with half-term ticket prices now 14.9 per cent higher than they were last April. The cost of flights has substantially outpaced overall price rises, up some 84.2 per cent since the turn of the millennium. This means that parents who used to rely on cheaper half-term fares in May and October because premium summer flights were so expensive now face record costs all year round. Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, called the rise in holiday fares a 'rip-off'. He said: 'Airlines may like to call it dynamic pricing or surge pricing, but if you're trying to take a trip during the school holidays you'll almost certainly call it what it is, a rip-off.' Meanwhile, daily holiday costs, including three-course meals, drinks, sun cream and insect repellent, have also surged. In Marmaris, Turkey, the cost of a 'package holiday bundle' has surged by 90.1 per cent from £45.23 in 2019 to £86 in 2025, according to a Post Office 2025 survey. Nice in France (66.5 per cent), New York (57.2 per cent) and Spain's Costa del Sol (41.4 per cent) also saw significant rises in cost. Industry experts put the rise in flight costs down to the debts airlines incurred during the pandemic, along with the spike in the price of jet fuel amid the global energy crisis. As of last week, it was trading at 225 per cent of the 2000 average. A shortage of skilled labour and slow delivery times for new aircraft have also been blamed, following shortages in the supply of key manufacturing components, like semiconductors and finished castings. However, consumer experts have questioned these reasons, suggesting holiday firms are taking advantage of families who normally choose to travel during half term. Jane Hawkes, a consumer champion who specialises in travel, told The Telegraph that families are being 'held to ransom' by airlines. She said: 'Families are being held to ransom – I think it's appalling and it needs to be addressed. Airlines can set their costs at whatever they want, and the dynamic pricing which exists is particularly unfair. 'It's like a calendar lottery, and it does present a very difficult decision for families with children. 'I've heard from people that are willing to take their children out of school because the fines are far lower than the cost of flights and accommodation.' For many parents who face a fine of up to £160 for taking their children out of school during term time, the threat is rendered insignificant by the savings compared to a half-term break. Absence data from the Department for Education (DfE) showed that 443,322 penalty notices were issued for unauthorised family holidays across England during the 2023-24 academic year. More than nine in ten of the fines issued to parents were the result of them taking the children out of school for a holiday. Paulomi Debnath, 45, a textile jewellery designer from London, said she often considers taking her 14-year-old son out of school the week before the May half term because of the difference in airline prices. 'May half term is so expensive, we have been tempted to skip school - who wouldn't be? Any parent is tempted,' she said. 'We have compared prices, and we could have saved 200 pounds just by skipping May half term and going a week before. 'We considered taking our son out of school in May 2023 because the prices were so high.' Lavania Oluvan, 37, a food technology teacher from Birmingham, says she can now only afford to take short weekend breaks in school holidays with her 7-year-old son. 'I think airlines are taking advantage of parents; a lot of us don't have a choice.' She added: 'We go away for weekends during term time. We finish school at 3pm and drive away to somewhere in the UK. I've done a weekend away for 100 pounds, when in the holidays, the same sorts of weekends away are 500 pounds.' The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said prices rising during school holidays was a function of supply and demand, insisting it is not a deliberate attempt to fleece hard-up parents and families. An ABTA spokesman said: 'Prices in the travel industry are driven by supply and demand – and with school half terms being just one week, and falling at the same time across the UK, as well as often coinciding with breaks in Europe, demand is extremely high. 'It's also early in the season, meaning some resorts might not be fully open. This is where booking early really makes a difference, as people have a greater choice of holidays and price options.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
May flight fares surge in ‘half-term holiday rip-off'
Half-term holidaymakers are being ripped off by airlines, experts have said. The cost of flights during school half-term holidays has tripled since 2000, a Telegraph analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggests. While the summer months are consistently the most expensive period for air travel, May is now a close second. The problem is worsening every year, with half-term ticket prices now 14.9 per cent higher than they were last April. The cost of flights has substantially outpaced overall price rises, up some 84.2 per cent since the turn of the millennium. This means that parents who used to rely on cheaper half-term fares in May and October because premium summer flights were so expensive now face record costs all year round. Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, called the rise in holiday fares a 'rip-off'. He said: 'Airlines may like to call it dynamic pricing or surge pricing, but if you're trying to take a trip during the school holidays you'll almost certainly call it what it is, a rip-off.' Meanwhile, daily holiday costs, including three-course meals, drinks, sun cream and insect repellent, have also surged. In Marmaris, Turkey, the cost of a 'package holiday bundle' has surged by 90.1 per cent from £45.23 in 2019 to £86 in 2025, according to a Post Office 2025 survey. Nice in France (66.5 per cent), New York (57.2 per cent) and Spain's Costa del Sol (41.4 per cent) also saw significant rises in cost. Industry experts put the rise in flight costs down to the debts airlines incurred during the pandemic, along with the spike in the price of jet fuel amid the global energy crisis. As of last week, it was trading at 225 per cent of the 2000 average. A shortage of skilled labour and slow delivery times for new aircraft have also been blamed, following shortages in the supply of key manufacturing components, like semiconductors and finished castings. However, consumer experts have questioned these reasons, suggesting holiday firms are taking advantage of families who normally choose to travel during half term. Jane Hawkes, a consumer champion who specialises in travel, told The Telegraph that families are being 'held to ransom' by airlines. She said: 'Families are being held to ransom – I think it's appalling and it needs to be addressed. Airlines can set their costs at whatever they want, and the dynamic pricing which exists is particularly unfair. 'It's like a calendar lottery, and it does present a very difficult decision for families with children. 'I've heard from people that are willing to take their children out of school because the fines are far lower than the cost of flights and accommodation.' For many parents who face a fine of up to £160 for taking their children out of school during term time, the threat is rendered insignificant by the savings compared to a half-term break. Absence data from the Department for Education (DfE) showed that 443,322 penalty notices were issued for unauthorised family holidays across England during the 2023-24 academic year. More than nine in ten of the fines issued to parents were the result of them taking the children out of school for a holiday. Paulomi Debnath, 45, a textile jewellery designer from London, said she often considers taking her 14-year-old son out of school the week before the May half term because of the difference in airline prices. 'May half term is so expensive, we have been tempted to skip school - who wouldn't be? Any parent is tempted,' she said. 'We have compared prices, and we could have saved 200 pounds just by skipping May half term and going a week before. 'We considered taking our son out of school in May 2023 because the prices were so high.' Lavania Oluvan, 37, a food technology teacher from Birmingham, says she can now only afford to take short weekend breaks in school holidays with her 7-year-old son. 'I think airlines are taking advantage of parents; a lot of us don't have a choice.' She added: 'We go away for weekends during term time. We finish school at 3pm and drive away to somewhere in the UK. I've done a weekend away for 100 pounds, when in the holidays, the same sorts of weekends away are 500 pounds.' The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said prices rising during school holidays was a function of supply and demand, insisting it is not a deliberate attempt to fleece hard-up parents and families. An ABTA spokesman said: 'Prices in the travel industry are driven by supply and demand – and with school half terms being just one week, and falling at the same time across the UK, as well as often coinciding with breaks in Europe, demand is extremely high. 'It's also early in the season, meaning some resorts might not be fully open. This is where booking early really makes a difference, as people have a greater choice of holidays and price options.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Vet complaint process in UK often ‘stacked against pet owners'
Britain's pet owners often face an uphill struggle when they are unhappy with their vet because the industry's complaints system is not fit for purpose, according to a leading consumer body. The findings from Which? that the complaints process 'is often stacked against pet owners' come as the UK competition watchdog is investigating the veterinary sector amid concerns that above-inflation price hikes and other issues mean consumers are not getting a fair deal. Well more than half of UK households have one or more pets, with numbers increasing dramatically during the pandemic. However, Which? said pet owners were often put off making a complaint when there was a problem, and that those who did often had limited options for taking the matter forward or were left feeling their issue had been unfairly dismissed. Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at the consumer body, said: 'It is completely unjust that many pet owners feel not only unhappy with the service and treatment received by their vet when their pet is taken ill, but also lack the means to make a complaint that will be properly investigated.' In its survey of more than 1,000 pet owners who had experienced some kind of problem with their vet during the past two years, pricing was the most common issue raised. More than half said the price of care or treatment was excessive, while more than a quarter said the cost was higher than they thought it would be. The third most common issue was quality of care, followed by customer service, not being given the relevant information, being charged the wrong price, and the vet or practice making a mistake. The first port of call when making a complaint is usually the practice itself. Many of the pet owners in the survey who had been put off making a claim said they did not think they would be successful, did not want to fall out with their vet, or did not know how to complain in the first place. 'Very few' owners then went on to escalate the complaint, and those who did found that the options available were often inadequate, said Which?. There is the Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS), but this is a voluntary complaints scheme. Meanwhile, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has the responsibility for investigating all 'concerns' raised with it about vets – but Which? claimed it had 'very high thresholds' for investigating and progressing a complaint, 'leaving pet owners feeling dismissed, or that the process is biased in favour of veterinary professionals'. Steph Drew, from Lincoln, told Which? that the complaints system was 'designed to protect vets'. Her dog Daisy was left injured when her vet operated on the wrong leg. Drew complained to the RCVS, but her case was initially dismissed after a year, said the consumer organisation. After appealing against the decision, the case went on for three years, finally ending in a disciplinary hearing. The vet has now been struck off and found by the RCVS to have failed to provide adequate care to 18 animals in total, said Which?. Earlier this month the UK Competition and Markets Authority – which has been investigating rising costs and other issues in the multibillion-pound sector – said it had 'concerns that … firms' internal complaint handling processes may be inconsistent and operate poorly, and that the external redress mechanism provided by the VCMS is not as effective as it could be'. It also found there were 'shortcomings' with the RCVS code of conduct. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion A VCMS spokesperson told Which? it could not comment on individual cases but added: 'Last year we received more than 3,500 inquiries from pet owners, and the VCMS helped resolve over 80% of complaints … It continues to develop the mediation process to improve outcomes and satisfaction for consumers and practice teams, as well as the delivery of veterinary care.' The RCVS said it had been asking the government to reform the current legislation 'for some years', adding: 'Our current remit is relatively narrow and focuses on regulating the individual professionals and not practices, which have never been regulated. We support proposals to enhance consumer protection, and mandatory practice regulation.' It said that under current legislation it could only investigate allegations of serious professional misconduct. A spokesperson added that 'the facts presented in the [Which?] case studies do not completely align with those reported to us'.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The six cleanest beaches in the UK where you can safely swim in the sea this summer
One is near the village known as Wales' 'Italian Riviera' WATER WORKS The six cleanest beaches in the UK where you can safely swim in the sea this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMER is coming in hot and soon, and lots of us will descend on the UK's beaches, but which ones are the cleanest and best to swim in? Which? has revealed the top six UK beaches with the highest water quality that are perfect for a dip. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 These are the six beaches in the UK with the cleanest waters 5 Bamburgh in Northumberland has some of the cleanest coastal waters Credit: Alamy There's good news for anyone who lives in or is planning to visit the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland. The waters off the coast have been classified as 'excellent' - which is highest and cleanest rating designated by the Environment Agency. Not only that but visitors can take in the beautiful views of Bamburgh Castle too which sits on top of a nearby hillside. Over in Wales, Portmeirion is known as the 'Italian Riviera' because of its folly village. It was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis which he turned into a Mediterranean looking sub-tropical gardens with a piazza and historic cottages. However, there are lots of beaches there too like Harlech which is part of the Snowdonia National Park. The waters here have also been classified as excellent by the government agency Natural Resources Wales, meaning they're perfect for swimming and paddling. Another area where the waters have been classified as being of high quality and cleanliness is in St Andrews, Fife in Scotland. St. Andrews has several beaches, like East Sands, which meets the high standards, it's a sandy stretch of beach with a path on the inland side. East Sands is close to the harbour and sailing club meaning it's a hotspot for watersports like surfing and sailing. UK beach named one of the top 100 in the world 5 East Sands Beach in St Andrews is much cleaner than its neighbour West Sands Credit: Alamy Currently the bigger, and most well-known beach in St Andrews called West Sands, is currently rated as 'good'. This means the water quality is generally not as clean as its neighbour, according to Which?. Two beaches in Tynemouth, North Tyneside have Blue Flag status, Long Sands beach and King Edward's Bay - they are also both classed as 'excellent' when it comes to water quality. Which? advises not to swim in Cullercoats Bay which is nearby, but failed to meet the minimum standards for water quality - so it's best just to frolic on the sand for this one. 5 Whitesands Bay near St Davids has water quality rated 'excellent' Credit: Alamy Very near the UK's smallest city, aka St Davids in Pembrokeshire, is Whitesands Bay. It's a hit with surfers and swimmers alike for good reason - the 'excellent' water quality. Along the Suffolk coastline is the town of Southwold whose beach is among one of the cleanest. It's lined with colourful beach huts and has a long pier full of arcade games and fun fair rides. Southwold Pier Beach received a rating of excellent and is a very popular tourist spot during the summer months. Here are more UK beaches, and these three have been named the best in Europe by Tripadvisor this year. And here is one of England's most secluded beaches you can now only reach by boat. Here Are TheSix Best Beaches For Swimming in the UK Bamburgh, Northumberland Portmeiron, Gwynedd (Wales) St Andrews, Fife (Scotland) Tynemouth, North Tyneside St David's, Pembrokeshire (Wales) Southwold, Suffolk
