Best used cars under £25,000
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There are countless used cars available for under £25,000, so narrowing the search to just a few vehicles could be tricky. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve selected some of the best used cars for your budget.
Spending £25,000 is enough to buy you a new family hatchback, but you’ll have more cars to choose from on the used market. Nearly-new compact SUVs, saloons still under warranty and estates with more luggage space than a small van are all within reach.
To help narrow the search, we’ve limited ourselves to cars registered after 2010 and with no more than 100,000 miles on the clock. Release these shackles and you’ll have access to even more used cars.
Remember to do your homework before parting with £25,000. A test-drive is important and you should also check for signs of accident damage or any outstanding finance. If in doubt, take a knowledgeable friend with you or arrange an independent inspection.
Best used cars under £25,000
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Ford Puma
The Ford Puma is the best compact SUV you can buy. It’s based on the excellent Fiesta supermini, which means it’s great fun to drive, with sharp handling and communicative steering. The cheerful styling is a welcome tonic to the aggressive look of some of its rivals, and harks back to the Puma coupe of the 1990s. All models come with a generous amount of standard equipment, not least because Titanium is the entry-level trim. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is punchy and efficient, but the 1.5-litre unit in the Puma ST turns this little SUV into a more practical hot hatch.
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Skoda Kodiaq
If the Puma is the best compact SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq is in with a shout of being the best family SUV. A five-seat version is available, but most buyers choose the more versatile seven-seat Kodiaq. It’s more of a ‘5+2’ SUV than a true seven-seater, but it provides the option of transporting two additional children – or having an extremely large boot. We named it the best SUV at our recent Car of the Year awards, praising its blend of space, comfort, practicality and equipment. Few cars are perfect, but the Kodiaq gets very little wrong.
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Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 looks as interesting today as it did at launch in 2017. It might wear a mainstream badge, but the 3008 boasts a premium feel, from its bold and adventurous styling to its avant-garde and upmarket interior. There’s no seven-seat option – you’ll require the larger Peugeot 5008 for that – but the boot can swallow an impressive 520 litres of luggage, making this one of the most practical cars in the class. A range of efficient petrol and diesel engines will deliver low running costs, while equipment is plentiful across the range, with all cars getting a fully digital instrument panel.
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Kia Sorento
Stop! Before you buy a premium SUV or MPV with seven seats, take a look at the Kia Sorento. As the flagship of the Kia range, it feels more upmarket than the familiar Sportage, with styling that does a passable impression of a premium SUV. Opt for a higher trim level and you’ll get the equipment to match its lofty ambitions, such as solar rear window blinds, ventilated electric front seats with 10-way adjustment, a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, LED headlights, wireless phone charging and an electric tailgate. The 2.2 CRDI diesel engine offers excellent pulling power, with all-wheel drive coming as standard.
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Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Here is a saloon or estate car with class-leading practicality, the quality to compete with premium rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, plus a range of economical petrol and diesel engines. It was built with European motorways in mind, so if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel and you’re after something comfortable and robust, you needn’t look any further than the Passat. You could even find a new example for under £25,000, which is exceptional value for money. Cars built after 2020 come with more equipment as standard.
MG 5 EV
The MG 5 EV is a really interesting proposition if you’re after a practical electric estate car. Indeed, it’s currently the only electric estate you can buy. Because it’s so affordable when new – prices start from £28,000 after the government Plug-in Car Grant is deducted – it’s possible to buy a used example for little more than £20,000. For that, you get a 578-litre boot, up to 250 miles of electric range and a seven-year or 80,000-mile warranty. The entry-level Excite trim covers all the bases, so there’s no need to splash out on the pricier Exclusive. We only wish the MG 5 looked a little more exciting.
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Hyundai Kona Electric
We can’t say the same thing about the Hyundai Kona Electric, which looks bold and interesting from every angle. Prices have started to drop below the £25,000 mark, which is incredible value for an electric car with a 64kWh battery and a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Up to 300 miles of range is available from a fully charged battery, but it’s worth noting this is based on the larger and more expensive 64kWh version. Opt for the 39kWh model and the official range drops to 189 miles. There are three trim levels: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate.
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Audi Q2
As Audi’s smallest and most affordable SUV, the Q2 is an interesting alternative to the A3 hatchback. In fact, its 405-litre boot is a great reason to choose one over the A3, because it’s ideal for pushchairs and bulky shopping bags. While it’s true that you’re paying for a premium badge, the Q2 boasts chunky, upmarket styling, a classy interior and some lavish trim levels. New car buyers could also choose from an array of personalisation options, so look out for these when buying used. We’d recommend the punchy 1.0 TSI petrol engine, but would avoid the 1.6 TDI unless you must have a diesel.
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Toyota GT86
Go on, you know you want to. The Toyota GT86 might lack the raw performance of a modern hot hatchback, but it’s likely to be far more enjoyable to drive. The 2.0-litre non-turbocharged engine at the front delivers 200PS, which is sent to the rear wheels to make it feel like a classic sports car. The six-speed manual gearbox is delightful, the driving position is perfect and the feedback through the steering wheel is fantastic. You won’t mind that the interior lacks a bit of quality. Frankly, you’ll be having too much fun to notice.
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
All things considered, this is probably the best estate car you can buy. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate feels as luxurious and comfortable as an S-Class saloon, yet benefits from a class-leading 640-litre boot, which you can increase to a mammoth 1,820 litres by folding the rear seats. There’s a range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, including some seriously rapid AMG versions. You can even buy a rugged E-Class All-Terrain, which is an interesting alternative to a Mercedes-Benz SUV. Faults are few and far between, especially when the initially high purchase price is chipped away by early depreciation.
Which new car should I buy for £25,000?
It all depends on what you’re after, but a mid-range Ford Focus would be a good place to start. It’s better to drive than any of its rivals and comes with a choice of economical engines and a long list of equipment. There’s a sporty ST version and a rugged Active model, plus the option of an estate. For a longer warranty and more space, take a look at the Hyundai i30 Tourer.
What’s the best used convertible for under £25,000?
If you’re after a relatively new convertible with space for the family, take a look at the Audi A5 Cabriolet or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Alternatively, it may be worth stretching the budget to an E-Class Convertible; your rear-seat passengers will thank you for the extra space. For something smaller, take a look at the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, because prices are now dropping below the £25,000 mark. Finally, the MINI Convertible is fun and reasonably spacious.
What’s the best used luxury car for under £25,000?
Assuming you want something reasonably new, we’d recommend the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Highlights include understated styling, an upmarket cabin, a comfortable ride and a strong image. Some of the higher trim levels feel as lavish as an S-Class. Alternatively, consider the Volvo S90, which is as comfortable as an E-Class and boasts a sophisticated and high-quality interior. Another option would be the Lexus GS 300h, which benefits from an efficient hybrid powertrain.
