The best cheap used cars 2024

There are plenty of great deals to be had when you look at the used car market, but saving your hard-earned cash doesn’t mean you need to compromise on what’s important to you.

Whether you want a practical family SUV, a convertible sports car or anything in between, here are 10 of the best cheap used cars you can buy in 2024.

1. Kia Sportage
2. Volkswagen Up
3. Dacia Duster
4. Ford Fiesta
5. Mazda MX-5
6. Suzuki Swift Sport
7. Skoda Octavia
8. Fiat 500
9. Vauxhall Astra
10. Nissan Leaf

*Images are for illustrative purposes only

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage stands out on the used market thanks to its impressive warranty. If you spend around £12,500 on a model which is less than seven years old, it’ll still have some of its manufacturer warranty left for added peace of mind.

It represents great value for money as well, with key features like Apple CarPlay, cruise control and sat nav being easy to come by. It’s also spacious, and the styling has aged pretty well.

Volkswagen Up

If it’s a back-to-basics small car with a premium image you’re after, the Volkswagen Up makes a decent case for itself. It may not be the most exciting thing to look at, but it’s well-made, easy to drive and fuel-efficient.

You can pick up a 2018 example for less than £8,000, but you’ll want to avoid the most basic models because they are sparsely equipped. Find yourself a Move Up version though and you get things like Bluetooth, DAB radio and alloy wheels.

Dacia Duster

You won’t find many used SUVs which are less expensive than the Dacia Duster. Like with the Up, you’ll want to avoid the spartan base model – but get the Comfort version and you get all the kit you’ll realistically need.

It may feel pretty cheap inside, and it’s not the best SUV to drive, but you can get a 2020 model for less than £10,000 and there are few cars which offer this level of interior space for the money.

Ford Fiesta

Fans of the Ford Fiesta have no choice but to buy second hand, because the last example of this small hatchback rolled off the production line last year. The Fiesta made a name for itself by being great fun to drive, and it’s always been good value on the used market.

You can get a nicely-specced 2018 example with the 1.1-litre petrol engine for under £8,000, although if you can you’ll be better off spending a bit more money and getting the 1.0-litre turbocharged version for its added power.

Mazda MX-5

You don’t have to scrimp on fun just because you’re looking to save money, as is evidenced by the Mazda MX-5. £12,000 can get you a 2016 2.0-litre model, and there are few cars which will put a bigger smile on your face.

You do have to sacrifice some practicality for wind-in-the-hair thrills, but the boot is still big enough for a weekend away and it’s even pretty cheap to run.

Suzuki Swift Sport

If you’re after similar smiles-per-mile to the MX-5, but need the practicality of a hatchback body, check out the Suzuki Swift Sport. For around £12,000 you can have a 2018 Swift, and it’s a hoot to throw around on a twisty road.

The cabin does feel a bit cheap in places, but you can’t argue with the amount of equipment you get as standard. Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and automatic climate control feature on all versions, and it’s cheap to run.

Skoda Octavia

Moving back towards something more sensible, the Skoda Octavia is about as sensible as they come. It has a cavernous boot, loads of interior space and it’s really comfortable to drive as well.

A nicely-specced model can be yours for between £10,000 and £12,000, with features like Apple CarPlay and cruise control easy to find, and there’a a great range of efficient engines as well.

Fiat 500

Some people value style over anything else, and if this sounds like you then the Fiat 500 could be the perfect choice. If you spend most of your time bumbling around town, the little Fiat is easy to drive, easy to park and cheap to run.

It might not be as practical as a Volkswagen Up, and it’s not as comfortable as that car either, but you can forgive these shortcomings because it’s just so stylish. A 500 can also be yours for as little as £6,000 for a 2017 model.

Vauxhall Astra

You can’t talk about value for money without mentioning the Vauxhall Astra, because it offers Volkswagen Golf levels of quality and comfort for a whole lot less cash. A 2019 example can be yours for well under £10,000 these days, and you get loads of kit as standard.

Almost all models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and automatic lights, while luxuries such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel aren’t hard to come by.

Nissan Leaf

You might not think there are many cheap used EVs on the market, but the Nissan Leaf is a great example of just that. A 2018 Leaf can be yours for less than £10,000, and it’ll do a respectable 168 miles on a charge.

It may not have the best infotainment system in the world, but the Nissan Leaf is a great electric hatchback for families thanks to its big boot and abundance of standard safety kit.

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