Buying a car comes at a hefty cost. And with everything else being so expensive at the moment, you may be having second thoughts about buying that new set of wheels.
But the good news is, you don’t need to break the bank for a reliable ride. There are plenty of used cars on the market that offer great value. And if you do your homework, you may even find one that offers the same functionality and form as a newer vehicle but comes at a fraction of the cost.
Ready to skim through second-hand car prices? We’ve gathered some tips and recommendations on the best used cars around to help you in your search.
EASY AS HACK
Tips for buying a good value used car
Getting bored of your in-car soundtrack? SharePlay allows passengers to change the track from their own phone so you can keep your focus on the road rather than finding a tune everyone will enjoy. Only the person who starts the SharePlay session needs an Apple Music subscription.
Tip1: Shop around
Take your time to look into as many options as possible. If you want peace of mind when you buy, sites such as AA Cars and RAC Cars vet the dealers they list.
Tip 2: Don’t exclude cars with high mileage
Many vehicles are durable enough to top out at 200,000 miles. So it may be worth going for something that has clocked up a decent number of miles – provided it’s generally considered to be a reliable model.
Tip 3: Consider local clean air charges
It may make sense to invest in a car which won’t fall foul of CAZ or ULEZ rules. If you’re going to be doing a lot of driving in the city, it’s worth checking which cars have good green credentials.
Tip 4: Check the insurance and tax
The cost of car insurance could help narrow down your options on which car to get, so it’s a good idea to get a quote ahead of time. The tax you’ll have to pay is also worth considering. Check the vehicle excise duty (VED) – otherwise known as car or road tax – before you buy.
At a glance
- Do your research
Carry out thorough market research to understand your options and determine your budget. - Haggle
Set yourself a budget and try to barter under that figure to give you room to meet a seller halfway. - Be flexible
The thrifty car buyer is flexible and prepared to shop for less popular models to save money.
Top 10 best used cars to buy
1. Volkswagen Golf
- Years of production: 1974-present
- Fuel types: petrol, diesel
- Priced from £400
Volkswagens are an all-time family favourite, as VW has a reputation for reliability. They’re stylish looking, often cheap to repair (assuming you’ll need to), and the VW Golf (2013-2020) scooped second place in the Parkers Used Car of the Year 2024 awards. You can pick up used models for as little as £1,000.
2. Vauxhall Insignia
- Years of production: 2008-2022
- Fuel types: petrol, diesel
- Priced from £1,000
The Vauxhall Insignia is a good alternative to a VW Passat, and you can usually pick them up a bit cheaper. They’re roomy and reliable, and great for comfortable long-distance trips with the family. Plus, they’re economical.
3. Skoda Octavia
- Years of production: 1996-present
- Fuel types: petrol, diesel
- Price from £7,491
The Skoda Octavia is a great bet for something practical and spacious for the family. They’re good value, cheap to run and have VW engines – so you know they’re going to be reliable.
If you’re looking for something with low emissions, certain models of the GreenLine version are exempt from VED, despite having diesel engines.
4. Kia Niro
- Years of production: 2016-present
- Fuel types: petrol, hybrid
- Price from £8,190
If you’re in the market for an SUV, then the Kia Niro has a good deal to recommend it. It’s spacious and has an excellent on-board infotainment system – great news if you’re planning on going on long drives.
And one particularly attractive feature is that Kias come with a seven-year warranty – meaning there are plenty of used models available with warranties still in force.
5. Volkswagen Passat
- Years of production: 1992-present
- Fuel types: petrol, electric
- Price from £600
Looking for a roomy vehicle with a spacious boot for your family’s luggage? You can pick up a second-hand Passat – rated 5-stars on What Car? As far as used car prices go, these tend to be pretty good deals.
6. Honda CR-V
- Years of production: 1995-present
- Fuel types: petrol, electric
- Price from £599
Japanese manufacturers are well known for producing reliable cars, and the Honda CR-V is an SUV which has been around and incrementally improved for almost 30 years.
The latest versions are fabulously spacious and comfortable for all passengers. They’re also a pleasure to drive. With responsive engines, they’ll shift when you need them to.
7. Dacia Duster
- Years of production: 2010-present
- Fuel types: petrol and diesel
- Price from £1,595
Another classic family SUV is the Dacia Duster, known for its practicality, flexibility and affordable price. You can pick up a second-hand model for as little as £1,595 – a real bargain for a vehicle offering the space and rugged appeal of a Nissan Qashqai.
8. Ford Fiesta
- Years of production: 1979-2023
- Fuel types: petrol
- Price from £300
One of the UK’s favourite vehicles, the Ford Fiesta is iconic for a reason – it’s a joy to drive, equipped with a decent array of features, and boasts multiple engine sizes. The cars are also cheap to service and available at competitive prices. Plus, they’re the 2024 Parkers Best Used Car of the Year.
9. Mini Cooper
- Years of production: 1959-present
- Fuel types: petrol, electric and hybrid
- Price from £995
Widely known and easily recognisable, the Mini Cooper is one of the best-selling cars on the UK market. The vehicles come with strong engines and are agile to drive around town. They’re also comfortable for a small ride, making them a popular choice for city living.
10. Toyota Yaris
- Years of production: 1997-2020
- Fuel types: petrol
- Price from £480
The economical Toyota Yaris is also a top choice for driving in town, offering good handling, great performance and unparalleled running costs. If you need a nifty run-around, pick one up for as little as £480.
Why are used cars so expensive?
A microchip shortage sparked by the pandemic hampered the availability of new cars between 2020 and 2023. This meant buyers turned to used cars in their droves, which ratcheted up prices. However, prices are now starting to fall slightly.
How to find a used car that is good value
Here are some easy ways to find a used car that’s good value:
- Find out how much your current car is worth: Finding out how much your current car will sell for is a good jumping off point for setting a budget when buying a used car.
- Shop around: Visit comparison sites to make sure you get the best deal. Use a reputable site such as AutoTrader (valuation), Parkers (valuation) or What Car?
- Ignore high mileage: Many vehicles are still in excellent condition up to 200,000 miles, so high mileage on a used car isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.
- Look for best buys: Many sites list the best used cars, so have a look at which ones consistently come out on top.
- Consider clean air charges: Many cities are clamping down on air pollution. It’s worth investing in a car that meets the requirements of these Clean Air Zones so you won’t be charged for driving through them.
- Check the insurance and tax: Getting an idea of what you’ll pay for insurance before you buy is always a good idea.
Gather a few valuations to get an accurate view of what a car is worth. Bear in mind that some sites may give lower valuations in the knowledge that some people are looking for a quick sale.
What to look for when buying a new car
There are a few other things to take into consideration, which could mean the difference between a deal and a dud.
- Check the V5C logbook. This can give numerous clues to the car’s history, such as the number of owners – where more does not mean merrier. Read up on which questions you should ask before buying a used car.
- Has the car been written off? If the car is a Category N write-off, it means it has been previously written off for non-structural damage that an insurance company deemed uneconomical to repair. This can go one of two ways. If, for example, it was written off because the bumper was damaged – but has since been repaired – you might bag a bargain.
However, it might be something more sinister, so it’s important to check its history. You can do this with an online car history check.
Find out more about checking a car’s history.
Find out more about our car insurance.
