Cheap used cars 2022
.jpg?rmode=max&width=730&height=486)
With the cheapest new car now costing around £10,000, you might be tempted to buy something used.
We wouldn’t blame you, because there are hundreds of thousands of used cars to choose from – and you won’t have to wait for delivery.
Used cars come in all shapes and sizes, with prices to suit all budgets. For our list of cheap used cars, we’ve allocated a maximum budget of £5,000 and have looked at cars registered no earlier than 2010. We’ve also set a cap of 100,000 miles.
Doing your homework is essential when you’re buying a cheap used car. Don’t be put off by the odd bodywork ding or scrape, but walk away if a car seems too good to be true. Insist on a test drive and inspect the service history before taking the plunge. Remember, there are plenty more used fish in the sea, so you don’t have to buy the first one that swims along.
Cheap used cars
|
.jpg?width=620)
Ford Fiesta
It might sound obvious, but the Ford Fiesta is one of the best cheap used cars you can buy. As Britain’s most popular new car for most of the past decade, you can be sure there are plenty to choose from. It therefore won’t be hard to find the engine and trim level that’s right for you. Parts are in plentiful supply, while a good network of Ford specialists ensures that maintenance won’t break the bank. Bonuses include the fact that the Fiesta is great to drive, cheap to run and easy to sell. Our £5,000 budget is enough for a 2015 example.
.JPG?width=620)
Vauxhall Insignia
It’s easy to mock the Vauxhall Insignia. Forgettable styling, a lacklustre image and a rather forgettable driving experience are just some of the reasons why you might decide to shop elsewhere. However, because it’s so unloved, the Insignia is a terrifically cheap used car; you can buy a 2015 example for the price of a supermini. For £5,000, you get a car with superb ride comfort, excellent fuel efficiency from the diesel engines and a good level of standard equipment. Image is something you need to ignore at this end of the market, especially if you’re after maximum bang for your bucks.
.jpg?width=620)
Volkswagen Polo
Many people search for Volkswagens when looking for cheap used cars, which serves only to maintain high residual (resale) values. You’ll get more for your money if you opt for something like a Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa or Peugeot 208. The thing is, few superminis offer the same blend of quality and image, which is why the Polo gets the nod here over the larger Golf. The interior is hard-wearing and hides its age, while the car’s robustness and reliability will provide peace of mind if you’re buying a Polo for your son or daughter. It’s a good car, but don’t pay a mint.
Toyota Aygo
The Aygo shares a platform with the Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1, but Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability gives the Aygo the edge over its city car siblings. Its angular styling is also the most interesting of the trio, while the interior is both youthful and well made. All versions are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, but don’t be fooled by the official fuel economy of 68.9mpg. Our Real MPG data suggests a figure of 56.4mpg is more realistic, which is still an impressive result. You get plenty of equipment as standard, but look out for some of the special editions.
.jpg?width=620)
Dacia Duster
If you thought our list of cheap cars was going to be a stream of small cars and forgettable hatchbacks, think again, because here’s a family SUV. Indeed, the Dacia Duster is Britain’s cheapest SUV, which means it represents a bargain on the used car market. You’ll have to avoid the entry-level Access model if you want a radio and air conditioning, but the Duster is a spacious and practical workhorse that should be cheap to run. Some of the interior plastics were of substandard quality in 2012, so you might have to accept a bit of wear and tear in the cabin.
.jpg?width=620)
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Seven-seaters with a sensible mileage are hard to come by at this end of the market, but there’s a good supply of Citroen Grand C4 Picassos. You’re unlikely to find the current version – introduced in 2013 and later renamed Grand C4 SpaceTourer – for this budget, but there’s a lot to like about this big Citroen. It’s good to drive and offers a commanding view of the road ahead, while the flexible seating arrangement is great for growing families. You even get three Isofix child seat mounting points along the middle row. Watch out for problems with the EGS automated manual transmission.
.jpg?width=620)
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto isn’t the most exciting city car you can buy, but if you’re after excitement, you could always treat yourself to a box of fireworks. It’s here because it comes with a seven-year warranty, so even a 2015 example will be covered by Kia’s original guarantee. Just remember that the warranty is limited to 100,000 miles, although this will rarely be a problem on a city car. Avoid the basic model and the Picanto offers a generous level of equipment, plus it comes with the convenience of five doors. The boot is large enough for many boxes of fireworks.
.jpg?width=620)
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia is one of the best cheap used cars in Britain. As well as offering better value for money than the platform-sharing Volkswagen Golf, it also boasts a huge 590-litre boot. The cabin feels spacious and airy, it’s well equipped and comes loaded with Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ design touches. Opt for the 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine for the best balance of performance and economy; our data shows that around 55mpg is realistic. Take a look at the even more practical Octavia Estate if you regularly carry bigger loads.
.jpg?width=620)
Nissan Qashqai
Meet Britain’s most popular small SUV. Since arriving in 2007, the Nissan Qashqai has cemented itself as the default car of choice for families across the land, as well as inspiring a legion of copycats. Whisper this, as it’s not the best family crossover on the market, but it’s here because there are so many to choose from. A high driving position and low running costs are central to its appeal, with the Renault-sourced diesel engines proving to be particularly economical. Look out for the Qashqai+2, which comes with a third row of seats for carrying up to seven people.
.jpg?width=620)
Toyota Avensis
‘The Toyota Avensis is brilliant at being mediocre, and we say that with a large dollop of affection.’ Our review of the Avensis (2009-2015) should leave you in no doubt that this is a cheap used car you can trust. It falls into the same category as the Vauxhall Insignia, being reliable, practical, economical and cheap. You won’t win any cool points in the office car park, but the Avensis will do everything you ask of it with no fuss. The excellent diesel engines are particularly reliable. This might be the best cheap used car you can buy.
What should I look out for when buying a cheap used car?
While your expectations should shift a little when you’re buying a car at the bottom end of the market, the basic rules still apply. Check for accident damage and signs of neglect and poor maintenance. Use the free services at your disposal, such as the government’s online MOT history checker. Don’t be put off by dents, scratches and car park dings; a bit of wear and tear is to be expected on a cheap car.
Are some cheap cars more reliable than others?
In a word, yes. It’s no coincidence that some manufacturers do very well in customer satisfaction surveys, so while buying a Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda or Lexus is no guarantee of perfection, you stand a great chance of bagging a solid used car. Don’t be blinkered by the lure of a premium brand; manufacturers like Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW don’t always perform well in customer and dealer surveys. If in doubt, opt for something from Japan or Korea.
What is depreciation and how can it help me?
In the vast majority of cases, a new car will lose a chunk of its value the moment you drive it out of a showroom. This is called depreciation and it’s particularly severe in the first two or three years of a car’s life. Bad news for new car buyers, but great news if you’re buying used. It’s worth noting that many people today buy cars on a three- or four-year PCP finance deal, so look out for these cars when they hit the used market.
