The Volkswagen Golf has added yet another accolade to its name, being crowned What Car?’s Small Family Car for the fifth year running. Volkswagen also claimed the prestigious Security Award, which is given in partnership with Thatcham, the Motor Industry Repair Research Centre.

The awards were presented last night at the motor industry’s glittering annual ‘Oscars’, the What Car? ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Commenting on the winning car, the Golf Match 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS five-door, Steve Fowler, What Car? Editor in Chief, said: ‘Volkswagen’s Golf is all the car most people will ever need – it has an unbeatable combination of quality, space, fun and frugality that keeps it ahead of ever-improving rivals.’

Before deciding on the winner of the Security Award, Thatcham experts examined thousands of models, testing every element of a car’s security, including break-in tests to see how long it would keep a determined thief at bay. Volkswagen was also the overall winner of Thatcham’s annual BIVSA awards in 2010. Steve Fowler added: ‘Volkswagen continues to take car security seriously while some carmakers think it’s yesterday’s problem. Buying a new Volkswagen is a great way to keep your car and its contents secure.’

Accepting the awards, Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK said: ‘I’m very proud of these awards and delighted to see Volkswagen performing well tonight. The Golf is our biggest selling model and it’s tremendous that on top of a raft of other accolades – which have included World Car of the Year and three fleet car of the year awards – the mainstay of our brand has retained its What Car? title for the fifth consecutive year.’