Best used cars under £20,000
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There are hundreds of thousands of used cars available for under £20,000, from nearly-new superminis and hatchbacks to slightly older SUVs and estates.
Today, £20,000 is barely enough to get you on the new car ladder, so we’re not surprised that you are considering going down the used route. Somebody else has paid for the car’s early depreciation, so you don’t have to.
We’ve put together a list of the best used cars for under £20,000. All of the cars featured here were registered after 2010 and need have no more than 100,000 miles on the clock. Some will even benefit from the remainder of their original manufacturer’s warranty.
It’s important to do your homework when you’re buying a used car. Insist on full service history when spending £20,000, and while you can expect to find a few minor scratches on the bodywork, you should walk away if there are signs of accident damage.
Best used cars under £20,000
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Volkswagen T-Cross
The Volkswagen T-Cross is one of a number of nearly-new compact SUVs you can find for £20,000, so why does it get the nod over its rivals? For a start, it’s based on the excellent VW Polo supermini, but the T-Cross adds some extra style and practicality. The S trim comes in at less than £19,000, and while some other entry-level models feel a bit basic, the most affordable T-Cross bucks the trend by boasting the likes of 16-inch black alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen media display, air conditioning and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. The 1.0 TSI petrol engine is willing and economical.
Kia Stonic
Another compact SUV, this time with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty. A strong selling point, especially when you consider that £20,000 is enough to buy a new and unregistered Kia Stonic. However, there’s more to the Stonic than a long warranty, because it also offers low running costs, decent handling and an enviable list of standard equipment. The Stonic ‘2’ is great value for money, but the flagship GT-Line S boasts heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, front parking sensors and LED rear lights.
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BMW 5 Series
A budget of £20,000 is just enough to secure an early example of the current BMW 5 Series. This is a brilliant executive saloon, with the driver appeal of a 3 Series and the quality and practicality of the flagship 7 Series. On a motorway, it feels comfortable and cosseting, while on a B-road it feels sharp and dynamic. It also features a wonderfully finished cabin, the very latest connectivity and safety tech, and enough space for five adults and their luggage. For enhanced practicality and versatility, take a look at the 5 Series Touring estate, which comes with a useful split tailgate.
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MINI Convertible
When you discover how good the MINI Convertible feels with the roof up, you’ll wonder why anyone buys the tin-top version. It’s as good to drive as the MINI Hatch, while the fabric roof makes the cabin feel cosy and quiet, even when the British weather is doing its worst. With the roof down, the Convertible adds another layer of enjoyment to the MINI experience, so you’ll be glad you went topless. Although there is enough room for four adults, we think the rear seats are best utilised as extra storage space. The MINI’s boot is a little on the small side.
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Nissan Lead
There aren’t many used electric cars available for under £20,000, but you should be able to afford a Nissan Leaf registered in 2019. For this price, it’s likely to be the standard Leaf with a 40kWh battery, which offers an official range of 168 miles. If you can stretch the budget to the Leaf e+, you’ll get a larger 62kWh battery and a range of 239 miles. The Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car and it achieved this by being competent in every area. It’s easy to drive and live with, while the innovative e-Pedal enables you to drive the car using the accelerator only.
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Mercedes-Benz B-Class
It’s hardly the most glamorous Mercedes-Benz you can buy, but there’s something reassuringly straightforward about the B-Class. It’s based on the A-Class premium hatchback, so it’s ideal if you’re after something with the same quality interior and similar driving characteristics, plus the space and practicality to rival a compact MPV. All versions come with a pair of digital screens (7-inch or 10.25-inch, depending on the trim level), along with the excellent MBUX voice controlled infotainment system. A large boot with a wide opening gives the B-Class the edge over the A-Class. Indeed, for growing families, B makes more sense than A.
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Toyota C-HR
You might not like the styling of the C-HR, but you can’t accuse Toyota of playing it safe. Open the doors and you’ll discover an interior that, while not as bold as the exterior, is stylish and well-built. For a £20,000 budget, you get a choice of two petrol engines: a 1.2-litre turbo and a 1.8-litre hybrid (a 2.0-litre arrived in 2020). The cheaper 1.2-litre engine will be fine for most people, and our Real MPG data suggests you’ll see between 35mpg and 40mpg (the hybrid should return around 58mpg). Space is a little tight in the back, but there’s little else wrong with the C-HR.
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Honda HR-V
Because the Honda HR-V is based on the excellent Jazz supermini, it comes with the same ‘Magic Seats’. While the rear seats fold and split like other cars, you can also lift and secure the squabs to create a handy storage area in the footwells. Pot plants, vacuum cleaners and a cardboard cutout of Ronnie Corbett can be carried back there. The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel is our pick of the engines, but don’t rule out one of the petrol units if you spend most of your time in the city. Take a look at the Sport model, which comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine for surprisingly rapid performance.
Hyundai Santa Fe
A 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe will be nearing the end of its original five-year unlimited mileage warranty, but this five- or seven-seat SUV is reliable enough for this to be of little concern. The Santa Fe is a popular large family car, with buyers loving its blend of style, practicality, price, equipment and warranty. The punchy and economical 2.2 CRDi diesel engine does an excellent job, even with seven seats occupied and a boot full of luggage. Strong demand means you won’t be short of buyers when it comes to moving the car on, either.
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Volvo V90
You’ll get a lot for your money when you spend £20,000 on a used Volvo V90. This is Volvo’s rival to premium estate cars such as the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, with its own unique style and upmarket interior. As you’d expect, this is one of the safest estate cars in the world, which is a huge factor when you’re buying with the family in mind. There’s a high level of standard equipment, along with some of the most comfortable seats you’ll find this side of a Rolls-Royce. It’s also a reminder of why estate cars are often better than SUVs.
Can I buy a new car for under £20,000?
It’s getting increasingly difficult to buy a car for under £20,000. Visit a Ford showroom and you’ll discover that only the Fiesta costs less than £20,000. It’s a similar story at Vauxhall, where the Corsa is the only car to duck below this barrier. Take a look at vehicles from Dacia, Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, Renault, Peugeot, MG and Citroen if you don’t want to spend more than £20,000 on a new car.
What’s the best sports car for under £20,000?
If you’re after something relatively new, the Mazda MX-5 is all the sports car you’ll ever need. It’s superb to drive, relatively affordable and no less reliable than a family hatchback. Alternatively, take a look at the Fiat 124 Spider. It shares a platform with the MX-5 and was built at the same factory in Japan, but power is sourced from a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. The Abarth version is a hardcore alternative with a naughty soundtrack.
What’s the best estate car for under £20,000?
For the best blend of style, equipment, space and handling, look no further than the excellent BMW 5 Series Touring. For a little more comfort and space, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is a great alternative, while the Volvo V90 oozes Swedish sophistication. If you’re after something cheap for trips to the recycling centre, take a look at the Dacia Logan MCV and save yourself thousands of pounds. Even the newest examples should cost no more than £10,000.
