Looking for the best used cars? Aren’t we all! Demand for secondhand cars has never been stronger than it is now – with more vehicles now changing hands for more than before the pandemic. The most in-demand cars are sub-£5,000 SUVs.
Whatever your reason for choosing used rather than new, we have the best advice for you. First off, read on for our pick of the best used cars available now. We cover everything from sensible secondhand family cars to exciting modern classics.
At Parkers, we have years of used car expertise, with unrivalled car valuation data since 1972, and a team that loves used cars, no matter what the budget is. Many drivers prefer to look for a used car simply because they don’t want to enter into a finance contract and just want to ‘own’ the cars – for many, a used estate car makes much more sense than a PCP’d SUV.
Scroll down to discover our pick of the best used cars in the UK – or click on your favourites below to jump down.
Best used cars 2024
Great to drive, cheap to run, and simply excellent
It’s a great car to drive that’s available in myriad versions, from the super-economical EcoBoost petrols and TDCi diesel-powered models to the fun-to-drive ST hot hatch. We love the fact that prices are competitive, servicing is cheap, and as such, it’s a reliable and safe car to invest your money in.
Read our full Ford Fiesta review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Huge number to choose from
- Cheap to run
Cons
- Interior not the best quality
- Early EcoBoost models can be troublesome
Totally accomplished, it’s a former Parkers used car of the year
You can pick one up for just under £4,000 if you look hard enough, too. The diesels are the most numerous, and either the 1.6- or 2.0-litre TDI will serve you well if you’re looking to lower your running costs, whereas our favourite GTI models will be great fun and re-sell well when the time comes to move it on.
Read our full Volkswagen Golf Mk7 review
Pros
- Tough and rugged interior
- Excellent tech and safety gear
- Solid and timeless image
Cons
- A Ford Focus or Astra is better value
- Not quite as reliable as you’d think
Practical, classless, and available with economical engines
Available from as little as £2,450, you can buy the Yeti in petrol or diesel form and with four-wheel drive, too. Based on simple Volkswagen technology, they’re proving cheap and reliable to run and finding their way into lots of families – which is why we’re big fans of Skoda’s first SUV.
Read our full Skoda Yeti review
Pros
- Chunky styling still looks modern
- Four-wheel drive available
- Excellent petrols and diesels
Cons
- Finding a low-mileage one is getting more difficult
- Petrol models are quite rare
It’s roomy for passengers, has a huge boot, and is available with punchy reliable diesels or smooth, responsive petrol engines. Ride quality and refinement are brilliant, too. They’re also packed with equipment, making the smooth, reliable CR-V an excellent used car to buy right now.
Read our full Honda CR-V review
Pros
- Fabulous reliability
- Excellent dealer network
- Comfortable, easy to drive
Cons
- Not cheap to run as some
- Relatively small numbers available
Efficient family hatchback for those who enjoy driving
It’s well-made and reliable, and you’re spoiled for choice with a range of super-economical diesels for those looking to keep the cost of driving down. It’s a popular choice on Parkers, and we can see why, having driven many examples over the years, and loved pretty much all of them.
Read our full BMW 1 Series review
Pros
- Great handling and steering
- Excellent resale values
- Economical diesels
Cons
- Cramped in the rear
- Hard ride in Sport models
Timeless looks, and strong image overcome some reliability wobbles
l driving position, decent performance and modest running costs simply add to its appeal. Although the oldest examples are getting on a bit now, they still look fresh and interesting. Reliability isn’t the best by any means (although earlier models seem the best), but buyers genuinely don’t seem to mind as long as the dealers continue to look after them.
Read our full Range Rover Evoque review
Pros
- Classy outside and in
- Rock solid image
- Great to drive
Cons
- Later diesels are less reliable than early ones
- Quite cramped in the rear
Not the most exciting family car, but supremely competent and good value
If you don’t want diesel, the petrol models are rarer to find but are still very economical, making them worth seeking out. As they’re considerably cheaper to buy used than a comparable Volkswagen Passat, we think these are underrated bargains for those looking for a large family car and who don’t mind not having a premium badge nailed to the bonnet.
Read our full Vauxhall Insignia review
Pros
- Excellent ride and handling
- Good value used car
- Reliable and economical engines
Cons
- Boring-looking interior
- Lack of badge kudos compared with rivals
The top of the heap if you’re after a mid-sized saloon or estate car
For those looking to eke out the most mpg, the 318d and 320d models deliver fantastic fuel consumption, if not excitement. The most economical is the 187hp 320d, which averages 61.4mpg (Combined) and puts out 122g/km, meaning low road tax. Not bad for a car that starts at less than £5,000.
Read our full BMW 3 Series review
Pros
- Great to drive, brilliant engines
- Excellent fuel economy from entry-level models
- Petrol and diesel engines are all excellent
Cons
- Rear seat space isn’t the best
- Servicing and maintenance are costly
Kia Niro
Rational, reliable and backed up with a great warranty
The Niro is good news for buyers looking to go green, too, as there are both hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions to go for. This, allied with the excellent fuel consumption and low running costs, make the Niro a very sensible and satisfying used car choice.
Read our full Kia Niro review
Pros
- Spacious and practical
- Excellent dealers
- Smooth and comfortable
Cons
- A bit dull to look at
- It’s not the sharpest-driving SUV
Excellent all-rounder that’s roomy, good to drive and great value
There is a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, plus ultra-frugal GreenLine versions of the diesels, which can return a claimed Combined fuel consumption figure of 83mpg – although, in reality, its 60mpg plus is nothing to be sneezed at. It’s green, too, with a CO2 emissions figure that dips to 87g/km, meaning certain models are free to tax.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review
Pros
- Talented all-rounder and a great bargain
- Excellent reputation for reliability
- Interior space particularly impressive
Cons
- Doesn’t feel particularly special
- Difficult finding a low-mileage one
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars as well as reading and writing about them.
