Looking for the best used cars to pick up for 2025? 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 2025
Our used car pick for 2025
Price: From £2,155
For many, the F30 generation BMW 3 Series is all the used car you’ll ever need. We rate it so highly that it won our Best Used Car award for 2025. It was popular when new so there's plenty to choose from second hand, and available in so many forms that there's bound to be one to suit your needs perfectly. Not bad for a car that starts at less than £5,000.
For those looking to eke out the most mpg, the 318d and 320d models deliver fantastic fuel consumption, if not excitement. The 330e offers hybrid assistance, while an M3 has all the power and driving dynamics you'd expect from a top-shelf Beemer. Don't forget the body styles too, alongside the saloon there was an estate (F31) and the lumpen-looking Gran Turismo (F34).
To find out more, read our full BMW 3 Series review
For those looking to eke out the most mpg, the 318d and 320d models deliver fantastic fuel consumption, if not excitement. The 330e offers hybrid assistance, while an M3 has all the power and driving dynamics you'd expect from a top-shelf Beemer. Don't forget the body styles too, alongside the saloon there was an estate (F31) and the lumpen-looking Gran Turismo (F34).
To find out more, 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
Great to drive, cheap to run, and simply excellent
Price: From £740
The Ford Fiesta won the 2024 Parkers Best Used Car of The Year award winner and still represents a great buy. With the demise of the Fiesta name, we're happy to call the sixth generation the cream of the crop. It was one of Britain's bestsellers when new and is still one of the UK’s most popular used cars, and with very good reason.
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.
To find out more, read our full Ford Fiesta review
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.
To find out more, 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, and another former Parkers used car of the year
Price: From £2,760
The Volkswagen Golf has evolved, great white shark-like, into the most perfect small family car you can buy. It looks good, fits in anywhere and is available with just about any engine you care to think of – right up to an all-electric e-Golf version. If anything, Volkswagen lost its way with the successor, so the Mk7 stands as the ultimate iteration.
You can pick one up for just under £3,000 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
You can pick one up for just under £3,000 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
Price: From £1,570
The Skoda Yeti was the perfect family SUV long before they became as popular as they are today. It may have been off-sale now for some time now, but the continued popularity of these excellent rugged family cars proves that they were really on to something with this one. The Yeti was built to take a beating, and will have taken the battering of a hard life with minimal fuss.
Available from as little as £1,570 you can buy the Yeti in petrol or diesel form and with optional 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.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Yeti review
Available from as little as £1,570 you can buy the Yeti in petrol or diesel form and with optional 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.
To find out more, 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
A fantastic family SUV
Price: From £2,790
The Honda CR-V has been around since the mid-1990s, making it something of an SUV pioneer, which in its earliest days was very close in concept to the Land Rover Freelander. But it’s the last-generation model that really saw it grow up into a fully-fledged large family car that can turn its hand to anything that’s thrown at it.
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.
To find out more, read our full Honda CR-V review
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.
To find out more, 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
Excellent all-rounder that’s roomy, good to drive and great value
If you’re looking for one of the most reliable, practical family cars, look no further. The Octavia hatch and estate both have huge space for both people and luggage, as well as low running costs, great reliability and very competitive pricing.
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 figure 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. Or you can have a right laugh in the vRS models and their punchy performance.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Octavia review
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 figure 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. Or you can have a right laugh in the vRS models and their punchy performance.
To find out more, 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
Efficient family hatchback for those who enjoy driving
Price: From £1,165
The BMW 1 Series is now in its fourth generation, but we're of the opinion that the second generation is the sweet-spot of the lineage. In fact, to many enthusiasts, this 1 Series is the best of the breed, as it packs driver technology and safety kit but retains the traditional rear-wheel drive layout that makes larger BMWs such a pleasure to drive.
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 enjoyed pretty much all of them.
To find out more, read our full BMW 1 Series review
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 enjoyed pretty much all of them.
To find out more, 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
Rational, reliable and backed up with a great warranty
Price: From £7,175
Plug for a Niro made from 2018 and you'll potentially have a couple of years’ worth of warranty left on them. That seven-year package is reason enough for many drivers to feel comfortable laying out their hard-earned on one of these roomy and comfortable family SUVs.
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. There's even an electric model - the e-Niro - that took a runner up spot in our Best Used Car awards.
To find out more, read our full Kia Niro review
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. There's even an electric model - the e-Niro - that took a runner up spot in our Best Used Car awards.
To find out more, 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
Not the most exciting family car, but supremely competent and good value
Price: From £3,625
We like the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport a lot. It might not be the most exciting large family car for your money, but no one can criticise it for its roominess and efficiency. It’s also a brilliant car in which to cover long distances in with the least amount of fuss.
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 prestigious saloon, 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.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Insignia review
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 prestigious saloon, 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.
To find out more, 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
11
BMW i3
Space-age styling and exceptional build-quality
Price: From £3,740
Believe it or not, the BMW i3 debuted back in 2013. Even today, it looks cutting-edge, and you won't find many cars for the price that blend excellent fit-and-finish and reliability. It's an EV, but owners aren't reporting any serious range concerns that can come with age, and you can always opt for one with a petrol range extender.
There are compromises here; the boot and rear seats are small, and the ride feels more rock-hewn than feather-stuffed. The range isn't exceptional either, you'll get 150 miles at best from a full battery. Still, it stands out as a value-driven second-hand bargain that makes for a tempting second car.
To find out more, read our full BMW i3 review
There are compromises here; the boot and rear seats are small, and the ride feels more rock-hewn than feather-stuffed. The range isn't exceptional either, you'll get 150 miles at best from a full battery. Still, it stands out as a value-driven second-hand bargain that makes for a tempting second car.
To find out more, read our full BMW i3 review
Pros
- The interior is exceptionally finished
- Batteries are holding up nicely
- Still looks fresh today
Cons
- The ride is bad
- Limited boot space
Timeless looks, and strong image overcome some reliability wobbles
Price: From £3,380
The Range Rover Evoque is proving to be one of the hottest used-car tickets in town right now, with the earliest models being snapped up as soon as they go on sale. That’s because it has a rock-solid image, commands strong used prices, looks great and makes you feel good when driving it.
The 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.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Evoque review
The 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.
To find out more, 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
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.
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