Ever wondered what the best used cars for under £5,000 are? This price point is, arguably, one of the most hotly contested: the sheer variety of cars on offer will meet the needs of almost every motorist. These motors, young enough not to be completely worn out, are bottoming out of their depreciation curve – they may even have had a lot of maintenance done already.
Now, with demand for new cars being better met by manufacturers, prices in the UK for the best used cars under £5,000 are stabilising. Your money might not go quite as far as it did in 2019, and fuel prices haven’t helped matters – but the choice of brands remains remarkable.
Whatever you’re after – a family car, a first car or something a little more luxurious, we have you covered with our list of the best secondhand cars for under £5,000. As always, the advice is shop around, do your research and get a car history check. Scroll down for our most recommended choices
The best used cars for under £5,000 in 2024
Why we recommend it: practical and roomy family car, a true jack of all trades
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. Your £5,000 will buy you a 2014 Elegance powered by the excellent 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, which is reasonably punchy and capable of returning near-diesel fuel economy.
Problems to watch out for:
Early 1.2/1.4 engine timing chain rattle, rust on arches and end of sills, damaged interior trim, missed Haldex services on 4x4 models.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Yeti review
Pros
- Punchy and frugal diesel engines
- Reliable and well-built
- Roomy interior
Cons
- Some well-documented engine issues
- Residual resistance to the Skoda badge
Why we recommend it: seven seat family motoring doesn’t get much cheaper
The Touran was on sale between 2003-2015, and was slowly updated in that time, housing a range of 1.2-, 1.4- and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the big-selling 1.6- and 2.0- as well as earlier 1.9-litre diesels.
That largest 2.0-litre diesel is a strong motorway performer, is frugal at speed and in town, offers London ULEZ compliance, and is ideal for towing. Don’t forget the ultra-thrifty BlueMotion, either: as a load lugger or a bigger family car for a one or two child household, it can make a lot of sense. Volkswagen Group’s excellent Direct Select Gearbox (DSG) can also be had on the Touran. Even the basic S is well equipped – with all-round electric windows, air-conditioning, and heated door mirrors. The rear seats also boast three Isofix mounting points.
Problems to watch out for:
High mileage DSG gearboxes, diesels with a history of missed or overdue servicing schedules, and abused tip run and family workhorses.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Touran review
Pros
- Seven seat layout
- Strong residuals
- Five-star NCAP safety rating
Cons
- 1.0- and 1.2-litre engines can struggle with bigger loads
- Reported electronics issues
Why we recommend it: no sports car offers the same blend of usability and fun for this money
That’s not to say that the MX-5 is a bad sports car – far from it, provided you can cope with just two seats and a middling boot. Both 1.6- and 2.0-litre cars have ample grunt, and UK buyers got an automatic for the first time in the guise of the Powershift. 2009 saw a facelift; the so-called ‘Mk 3.5’ had more responsive steering and suspension, and is the most sought-after by enthusiasts.
Problems to watch out for:
Ruined electronics from cars left out in the rain with the roof down; broken retracting metal tops on the Roadster Coupes, tired suspension on higher mileage examples.
To find out more, read our full Mazda MX-5 review
Pros
- Far less prone to rust than earlier models
- Metal folding roof models made available for the first time
- Most luxurious and comfortable MX-5 to date
Cons
- Electronics can fail if rain gets in with the roof down
- Less fun to drive than earlier MX-5s
Why we recommend it: it's an elegant executive car that’s reliable to own and good to drive
Diesel XFs made sense when new, but with many succumbing to expensive failures of turbochargers and engine components, they're best avoided now. That takes discipline, as it’s so good to drive thanks to a well-damped ride quality and fantastic (for such a large car) handling and steering. A great alternative to a well-equipped BMW 5 Series or entry-level 7 Series, and generally cheaper – your £5,000 gets you a 2011 XF V6 in Luxury form.
Problems to watch out for:
Smoke from diesel models, particularly under hard acceleration. Worn bushes. Clogged EGR, coolant leaks (including the EGR valve). Slipping/jerking automatic gearbox. Noisy cam/rattles from engine.
To find out more, read our full Jaguar XF review
Pros
- Supremely comfortable
- Nice to drive
- Reliability of petrol models
Cons
- Diesel unreliability
- Rear seat space a little cramped
Why we recommend it: it's roomy, good looking and excellent to drive
Your £5,000 budget should buy you a nice low-mileage 1.0-litre 2015 EcoBoost version in the most desirable Zetec trim level. By that point, the early reliability issues with the EcoBoost engine were sorted, but do make sure you go for the best example you can find. The 1.6-litre diesel version is well worth considering too, especially if you drive longer distances on a regular basis.
Problems to watch out for:
Juddering clutch, noisy dual-mass flywheel, DPF issues/delete, leaking fuel injectors, faulty key module, rubber trim falling off doors.
To find out more, read our full Ford Focus review
Pros
- Reliable and dependable
- Diesel version is excellent
- Sharp steering and roadholding
Cons
- Interior has been splattered by the button gun
- Early Ecoboost engine issues
Why we recommend it: it's the benchmark family hatch, available in a myriad of varieties
Despite a reputation for quality and reliability, this generation of Golf has been plagued with issues, especially as they enter middle age. With that in mind, check your car's service history closely, and try to buy a manual model over a DSG automatic. Our pick of the range would be a 2.0 TDI in GT form, as it’s likely to be the most reliable choice, and still good to drive. £5,000 will get you a very nice 2013 example.
Problems to watch out for:
High mileage DSG gearboxes, rattly timing chain on 1.2 or 1.4, worn suspension, tired paint and headlight plastic.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf Mk6 review
Pros
- Solid, well-built interior
- Economical BlueMotion
- Lots of choices for your money
Cons
- Lacks the rock-solid reliability of the Mk7
- Expensive compared with its closest rivals
Why we recommend it: it costs peanuts to run – and it’s suitably cheaper than a Volkswagen Up!
Reliability is excellent, and a quick look at our owners reviews will reveal that drivers really rate these cars. It’s been off-sale since 2019 in the UK, but thanks to its pleasing styling, it’s a timeless choice that should serve you well. With used examples available for less than £1,500, your £5,000 budget will get you a well-trimmed SE L version from around 2017. We’d recommend the 75hp version over the 60hp model – it’s faster but no less economical, and makes the perfect car for new drivers.
Problems to watch out for:
Check the service history for skipped oil changes, and if you feel confident doing so on older or higher mileage cars, check the timing belt condition for cracks or damage (you need to remove a cover on the engine). The EA211 engine timing belt was designed to last the life of the car, but UK cars were given a recommendation to check at five years or 160,000 miles – which some dealers took to mean it should be changed then.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Citigo review
Pros
- Low running costs
- Practical for its size
- Interior quality
Cons
- Limited engine range
- Less cool than an Up!
Why we recommend it: it's brilliant family hauler that’s robust and reliable
For your £5,000, you should find a 2016 Ambiance model powered by Renault’s excellent 1.5-litre dCi engine. This will deliver good economy, reliability and pulling power – you could get a more recent or lower mileage Access model, but that car’s lack of basic equipment makes it best left to those who aren’t too bothered about basic creature comforts. Overall, an excellent, honest vehicle for your money.
Problems to watch out for:
Paint, trim and neglect seem to be the biggest issues for a used Duster, particularly pre-2014 models. If financing a used Dacia, make sure you compare the monthly payments with a new one first.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Roomy and solidly built interior
- Two- or four-wheel drive available
- Well-proven, reliable technology
Cons
- Low-powered petrols are gutless
- Lots of abused examples out there
Why we recommend it: it's a brilliant British-made alternative to a used hatchback
You can find a good example for less than £2,000, although there are a lot of worn-out examples out there which are well worth avoiding.
Problems to watch out for:
Given Nissan’s previous reputation for bulletproof reliability, the Qashqai has been something of a disappointment, with weaknesses around the automatic transmissions and 1.5-litre diesel engines. The interior’s also a little flimsy when exposed to the rigours of family life. But the good news is that running costs are low, as are parts prices, so keeping one in fine fettle won’t be hard on the household finances.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Qashqai review
Pros
- Cheap to run and service
- Two- or four-wheel drive available
- Seven-seater +2 version offered
Cons
- Lots of hard-used examples – try to avoid
- Less reliable than you’d think
Why we recommend it: it's not the last word in image, but capable and cheap to run
Insignias are great value secondhand, and your £5,000 will easily get you into a 2015 2.0 CDTi EcoFlex SRI in VX-Line form, which gives you a great suite of equipment for your money. Owners report good fuel consumption and motorway performance.
Problems to watch out for:
With lights and electrical systems there are one or two reliability niggles that spoil an otherwise good record, but the biggest problem is the diesel’s tendency to lose oil pressure due to the design of the oil pump pickup. Make sure you get one that’s fully documented all the way from new, and look for the oil pump/pickup seal having been replaced as it’s a relatively easy job – if it’s done before the engine is damaged.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Insignia review
Pros
- Cheap to run and service
- Good quality interior
- Spacious cabin and boot
Cons
- A Ford Mondeo is a sharper steer
- David Brent and Alan Partridge drove one
Used cars under £5,000 – perfect for cash buyers
This is the sweet spot for buying a used car if you’re not worried about impressing the neighbours. In most cases you can find a well-equipped, well-maintained 10 year old car for almost the same amount of money as you’d pay just as a deposit on a new PCP or lease deal.
Buy carefully, spend the equivalent of a couple of months’ PCP payment on maintenance in the year, and you could easily get five years of reliable, comfortable motoring without a big financial commitment or significant compromise in handling or performance.
How to buy a £5,000 car well
You won’t find many cars at this price on approved-used schemes, but it’s worth buying from a reputable, established dealer. You have more protection than in a private sale, and generally will have more time to look over the car. Bear in mind these cars have had plenty of use, so decide what matters most to you in terms of choosing the best one.
Take time to check the service history and condition of suspension, brake pipes and subframes. Choosing a lower trim level may mean fewer things to go wrong – particularly integrated navigation and infotainment, where you might want to fit an aftermarket one anyway.
Above all, this end of the market is where you should avoid using long-term finance (or high-interest short-term debt). Pay in full. The only benefit to using finance here is if you pay on your credit card, where you gain some extra protection against bad deals or misrepresented goods.
What does £5,000 buy you these days?
£5,000 buys many of the best used SUVs you can get in the UK – just a little older or higher mileage. All of these options cost less than the deposit on a typical PCP finance deal for a new or nearly-new car. You could even maintain the more demanding ones for less than typical monthly payments, without a long-term commitment. Have a look through our used cars for sale and see what’s available near you.
If you want a cheap car for commuting, or perhaps you’re buying a used hatchback, there are lots of sensible options that will be reliable for a few years. On the other hand, if you fancy a bit of flash without spending the cash, there’s a plethora of older luxury cars – for a fraction of their new price. Those will cost more money to run in the long term, but still tens of thousands less than new equivalents.
Parkers Top Buying Tips
Don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.
You can even dip your toe into the sports car market; your choices are fairly limited, but if the higher fuel costs and more expensive tyres are factored in, a sports car dream can still be made reality.
* Prices based on examples found on Parkers Cars for Sale and limited to availability. Similar examples may be on offer.
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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