According to Edmunds.com, the Hyundai Elantra was awarded the annual Used Car Best Bet award. Because of their safety, reliability and availability Hyundai Elantras along with 14 other select few vehicles were given the prestigious award.

Edmunds provides a listing other top performers by category. If you’re looking for a Minivan, you’re pretty safe choosing a Honda Odyssey manufactured in the years 2003-2008. However if your more of a pick up truck type of driver, the compact Toyota Tacoma (2003-2008) or the large Ford F-150 (2003-2008) are winners.

Here’s Edmunds listing of the 2010 Used Car Best Bet awards:

Searching for a used car can sometimes be a crap shoot, but selecting a vehicle from the list above may help to stack the odds in your favor. For more information on how Edmunds chooses its winners and more details about each winner, visit their website.

1. Go over to the Edmunds website and access the “Appraise a Car” link. You’ll find it by clicking on Used Cars and then right beneath the Used Cars text you’ll find Appraise a Car.
2. Click on a series of links. First you’ll have to click on the link for the make of your car, then link for the year of the car and finally the link for your car’s model. At this point, Edmunds will give you a car price for a private sale, but this price isn’t the one you want. You want a fair car price that’s tailored specifically for your car. So, you need to continue the car appraisal process.
3. Enter details about your car. Since you’re selling the car click the “Sell” option and enter the car color, mileage and check off all optional equipment that applies. The more information you enter, the more accurate your pricing will be.
4. Tell Edmunds the condition of your car. Select the option that bests describes your car’s interior, exterior and mechanical soundness. Most used cars fall into the average category, but if your car is in exceptional shape, select “outstanding.”
5. Confirm your zip code and get your pricing report.

Make sure to print a copy of the report and keep a copy in the glove compartment. This way potential buyers can see what the car is actually worth before you start the negotiating process.