Do you have a growing family and find yourself in need of a more practical car? You can save money by choosing a used car. If you shop based on the PCP deposit for a new one, you’ll avoid monthly bills and paying high interest rates. Check out our selection of the best used family cars to narrow down your search.
The most interesting aspect of buying a used family car is that they come in all shapes and sizes, including estate cars, MPVs, a healthy selection of second hand SUVs, and even modern superminis that are comfier and more spacious than the simple small cars of the 20th century. You’re certainly not short of choice and, whatever shape they come in, you can be sure that any of the cars below will easily tackle family life.
So, to save yourself some time and to allow you to focus on more important things, rather than trawling endless brochures and countless individual reviews, read on to browse the best used family cars picked out by the experts at Parkers. And then check out our top buying tips for used cars to make sure you get it right…
The best used family cars in the UK in 2024
In a rational world, everyone would buy Dacia Dusters
Base versions don’t have lots of equipment – some don’t even have air conditioning – but there’s more kit to be found as you move up the range. Both diesel and petrol versions are available, some with all-wheel drive, but you might want a diesel as the petrols can be thirsty. Just watch out for rust on some older examples but, that aside, a Duster should prove to be a simple and fuss-free car to own.
Read our Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Affordable to buy and run
- Economical engines
- Very roomy and practical
Cons
- Thirsty petrol engines
- Base models lack essentials like air conditioning
Comfortable, roomy, and capable of racking up mega miles
You have an array of petrol and diesel engines to pick from, the latter of which are available in ultra-frugal Greenline specification if you’re seeking to keep costs to a minimum. And then there’s the hot vRS, as well as the off-road-oriented Scout, giving you even more choice when it comes to finding the ideal Octavia for your needs. In any case, these are great and affordable family cars.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review
Read our full Skoda Octavia Estate review
Search used Skoda Octavia estates for sale
Pros
- Brilliant all-rounder for the money
- All models offer excellent performance and economy
- Interior space is very impressive
Cons
- Doesn’t feel particularly special inside
- Dull to drive
The most sensible used electric family car money can buy
It’s not just its range that makes the e-Niro appealing, though; it’s got lots of space inside, a five-star Euro NCAP rating, a neat cabin with lots of equipment, and it’s very easy to drive. The only real snags are that it’s dull to drive and that the ride is quite firm, so test drive one first to make sure you’re comfortable with it. Otherwise, thanks to the remainder of its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, you should have little to worry about.
Read our Kia e-Niro review
Pros
- A more accessible long-range EV
- Excellent and reliable battery range
- Practical and safe
Cons
- Still an expensive used buy
- Ride can be a bit stiff
Generously-sized load hauler, with seating for seven, that’s surprisingly fun to drive
It’s also a light and airy car inside, with lots of glass, and the front and middle-row seats are commodious. Those in the third row don’t quite have the space and comfort of a Ford Galaxy, but it’s still OK – and the seats fold flat into the floor to liberate a huge boot. Diesels are common on the used market but don’t overlook the surprisingly capable 1.5-litre turbo petrol.
Read our full Ford S-Max review
Pros
- Sporty appearance
- Acres of interior room
- Driver-pleasing dynamics
Cons
- Firm ride
- Slightly compromised third-row practicality
Oh-so sensible MPV from Volkswagen offers way more practicality than a Tiguan SUV
The third row is also fine for kids and there’s a lot of boot space on offer if you fold the seats down. Although it’s not the most exciting car to behold, it’s solidly built to last, so even the earliest 2015 cars should feel fresh. All the engines are proven and efficient and what the Touran lacks in excitement it readily makes up for with effortless everyday ease of use.
Read our full Volkswagen Touran review
Pros
- Surprisingly practical given its size
- Brilliant petrol and diesel engines
- Solid Volkswagen build quality
Cons
- Not very exciting
- Third row best reserved for children
Chunky seven-seater SUV steps up perfectly to family duties
What’s useful is that the third row of seats can accommodate adults comfortably, albeit not for extended trips, and even with all of the seats up there’s still a lot of storage space on offer. It’s surprisingly good to drive for what it is, too, and there’s even a hot vRS version should you want something with a bit more spark.
Read our full Skoda Kodiaq review
Pros
- Spacious and practical interior
- Excellent range of engines
- Relaxing and easy to drive
Cons
- Interior isn’t that interesting
- Base model is a bit spartan
The benchmark family hatchback sets the class standard for used cars as well
You can pick one up for just under £4,000 if you look hard enough, too, although Approved Used is your best path to long-term happiness. 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. In short, it’s perfect for smaller families – and if you need more room, you can always go for an estate version.
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
Forget the notion of flaky French unreliability – the 3008 is a dependable, rugged SUV
It’s a roomy five-seater SUV, with a big boot, and it’s quiet on the move – particularly in plug-in hybrid guise. The core engine is the 1.2-litre turbo petrol, which is a great all-rounder that’s good on fuel. The 3008’s only major niggle is the over-use of the central touchscreen inside: even the heater controls are buried within it.
Read our full Peugeot 3008 review
Pros
- Fresh styling and interior
- Well sorted, reliable and solid
- Premium feel to drive
Cons
- Heavy use of touchscreen buttons
- Plug-in hybrids are expensive
You don’t have to be an SUV buyer to get a great family car, as the sleek Mazda 6 proves
As a full-sized estate car, you get a commodious boot and all the cubbyholes, nooks and crannies that are demanded by families – for practicality that outstrips all of the SUVs on this list. It’s not perfect, though – the petrol models feel slow unless you drive them hard, making the diesels the preferred choice.
Read our full Mazda 6 Tourer review
Pros
- Generous equipment levels
- Spacious for people and luggage
- Strong and economical diesel engines
Cons
- Rear visibility isn’t great
- Petrol engines need revving
Another winning family car from Kia, that’s as dependable as a Swiss Banker
Diesel engines are the most popular – they’re OK on fuel, unlike the thirsty 1.6-litre turbo petrol, and have much more pulling power than the base non-turbo petrol. Higher-spec models come with all-wheel drive, and automatic gearboxes were offered alongside regular manuals. The Sportage is effortless to drive, and it’s stress-free to own as well – because many used examples will have a big chunk of the seven-year, 100,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty left.
Read our full Kia Sportage review
Pros
- Great warranty that could have years to run
- Smart, modern and good to drive
- Spacious cabin with lots of kit
Cons
- Thirsty 1.6 turbo petrol
- Non-turbo 1.6 is slow
The nearest thing to a Tardis for your money here – small on the outside, massive within
Aside from this, the Honda Jazz is easy to recommend if you’re looking for a reliable, steady and efficient car to cover off all of your needs. It has a nicely engineered feel, with crisp and responsive engines, a slick manual gearchange and responsive steering. In short, buy this car and you can be sure that it won’t let you down – it’ll be very easy to drive and live with.
Read our full Honda Jazz review
Pros
- Roomy, fun to drive and economical
- It’s highly unlikely to ever let you down
- Excellent fuel economy
Cons
- Base models lack essentials like air conditioning
- Thirsty petrol engines
The archetypal family SUV is quietly competent – the sensible choice
The SUV stance grants plenty of space inside, and that well-liked raised-up seating position, although boot space is more so-so. The Qashqai is good to drive, with the 1.5-litre dCi diesel giving great economy, and the 1.6-litre dCi a bit more power. Don’t overlook the 1.3-litre petrol either, but do take a test drive before picking a model with extra-large alloys, as the ride can be too stiff for some.
Read our full Nissan Qashqai review
Pros
- Practical, useful and spacious interior
- Wide range of models to choose from
- Generous standard equipment
Cons
- Boot could be bigger
- Stiff ride if you choose fashionably large alloy wheels
Dumpy-looking, mid-sized family MPV hides its dynamic talents under a bushel
Although it’s no head-turner to look at, the magic of the 2 Series Active Tourer is found behind the wheel. It’s a genuinely satisfying car to drive, with crisp handling and a real feeling of responsiveness. The ride is well-judged so passengers shouldn’t grumble, either. If only it looked a bit cooler – although the benefit of this is prices that are more affordable than a comparable BMW SUV.
Read our full BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Well-made, chunky interior
- BMW kudos
Cons
- MPV-like styling
- Ride is firmer than others
Used family car FAQs
What’s the most reliable used family car to buy?
According to most used car reliability surveys, including our own, the most reliable cars are Japanese. The best of the lot is the Honda Jazz, which makes it into the family car list by dint of its brilliant practicality and all-round easiness to live with.
What is the best used family car under £10,000?
Right now, we’ll say that the best used car at this price point is the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, which is readily available from as little as £4,000. It’s not the largest, best value, or even the most reliable, but it’s an excellent all-rounder that is potentially cheap to run, yet leave its driver feeling like they’re in something that’s a cut above the rest.
How safe is a used family car?
Family life is massively rewarding but it is also often stressful and hectic, so it’s worth making sure you have a car that can handle all that life throws at it. A car that can easily accommodate your children and luggage is essential, and it ideally also needs to be easy to drive and stress-free to own – helping cut down on the number of things you need to worry about.
Good family cars will always major in these areas, proving practical, reliable, fuss-free to drive and relaxing to own. Do spend some time looking at factors such as the Euro NCAP rating though, to ensure you’re happy with the standard of safety offered by any used family car.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the test procedures and requirements do change. The safety rating of a car tested years ago is often not comparable with a newer car or test, and sometimes you will see a car’s rating downgraded after a facelift or technology change.
A car with an initial four-star rating might have been downgraded to a one-star rating when tested six years later for example, because it doesn’t have a now-required piece of standard driver assistance equipment. It’s very rare that such cars have become unsafe, but they may lack the more modern safety features demanded by today’s testing, and become less competitive against new cars.
What should I consider when buying a second hard family car?
They need to be roomy, have lots of storage options inside, reliable and good to drive. The good news is that there are are plenty of options if you’re seeking a used family car. If you’re happy with the space offered by a hatchback, you could consider the popular Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, all of which are available in hatch and estate forms.
If you fancy an SUV, you could cast your eye over the Vauxhall Grandland X. The Qashqai rival was renamed and restyled in 2021, pushing used prices down for the older style. There’s always the likes of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, too, if reliability is your main concern.
You might also want to consider some other estates, too, such as the Vauxhall Insignia, Ford Mondeo and Skoda Superb – or more premium choices, such as the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series. Some of these are large cars, though, which could prove annoying if you regularly drive in busy towns or if you have a small parking space.
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