Jobi McAnuff fired in the only goal of the game as Cardiff ended the season on a winning note by beating QPR.
Jobi McAnuff celebrates with Cardiff team-mate Cameron Jerome
Young Bluebirds striker Cameron Jerome had already tested visiting goalkeeper Generoso Rossi from close range before turning provider on 27 minutes.
Jerome pulled the ball back from the right byline and McAnuff timed his run perfectly to steer home a left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Jamie Cureton went close for QPR after the restart but Cardiff held out.
Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence
"It was a day when a win meant that we moved up three places, but it has not disguised the fact that we have still underachieved this year.
"The message to everyone now is that we must do better. This season we have put up a decent showing since the turn of the year and we are happy to finish on a winning note."
QPR boss Ian Holloway
"I have been let down by my team's performance even though it was slightly improved in the second half.
"It is true we have missed a few of our injured players, particularly at the front, but we gave them too much space and once again I am here in Cardiff unhappy with the result."
Cardiff: Alexander, Williams (Vidmar 81), Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, Ardley, Boland, Langley, McAnuff, Thorne (Lee 68), Jerome (Parry 68).
Subs Not Used: Margetson, Bullock.
Goals: McAnuff 27.
QPR: Rossi, Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Padula, Cook, Bircham, Rowlands, Cureton, Thorpe, Gallen.
Subs Not Used: Day, Edghill, Bean, Matthew Hislop, Miller.
Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).