10 best used cars for under £10,000

What does £10,000 buy you these days? Quite a lot, if you’re shopping for a used car. With £10k burning a hole in your pocket there’s a wide choice of capable and reliable buys, whether you are searching for a family runabout, a rugged SUV, or something sporty.
Shop carefully, and £10,000 is enough to buy a used car with many more miles of life left, offering plenty of safety features and affordable running costs.
You’ve come to the right place to find a second-hand car – Carwow offers some great used car deals on high-quality models, sold by dealers you can trust.

10 best used cars under £10k

BMW i3

• Production Years: 2013-2022
• Fuel Types: Electric, Hybrid
• Best for: Quirkiness in a posh package

BMW was ahead of the game with the BMW i3, because it launched this small electric car long before such things were cool. But cool is very much what the i3 is – its stylish design still looks modern today, and it has a minimalist interior that only betrays its age thanks to the small infotainment screen and dated graphics.

However, you get a flat floor and interior space to match much bigger cars, making it practical and comfortable for city driving. And city driving is the i3’s natural habitat if you go for the electric version, because it doesn’t have a massive range, but there’s also a hybrid version if you want a petrol tank for backup.

Dacia Duster

• Production Years: 2017-2024
• Fuel Types: LPG, Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Back-to-basics off-roading

Cheap as a new car, the Dacia Duster is a bargain-basement used buy. It really is ridiculously affordable.

The Duster is a little rough around the edges, but you are getting a lot of car for your money. The entry-level model is sparsely equipped, but most of the original buyers will have gone for a mid-spec Ambiance or high-spec Laureate, which have more tech and luxury kit.

With a £10k budget you should have a choice of two- and four-wheel drive models – the 4×4 Duster can really handle itself off-road, too.

Ford Fiesta

• Production Years: 2017-2023
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Driving fun from a small, affordable car

When it comes to driver appeal, the Ford Fiesta makes most small cars seem bland to drive. It’s nimble and lively, but the controls are light and easy to use – so it’s a great choice whether you have been driving for years or you’re looking for your first car.

A Volkswagen Polo is roomier, and a Toyota Yaris is even more reliable. As an all-rounder, though, the Fiesta is hard to beat. It’s affordable to fuel and insure, and any problems are usually cheap to fix. There are loads around, so you can afford to be picky and track down exactly what you want.

Honda Civic

• Production Years: 2015-2022
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Comfort and low running costs

There are more stylish family hatchbacks than the Honda Civic, and there are alternatives that are more fun to drive – but if you’re looking for a reliable, practical family car then it’s tough to beat. Proper head over heart stuff.

If you do a lot of motorway miles you’ll see fantastic economy from the diesels, though the petrols will be best for most drivers. And if you want a big boot without having to pick up a big estate or SUV, it’s a brilliant option.

Kia Sportage

• Production Years: 2015-2022
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Comfort and low running costs

The Kia Sportage is another head over heart purchase, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, because the Sportage has plenty going for it. Sure, it’s not quite as handsome as the latest model, but the fourth-generation Sportage is spacious, practical, and came with loads of kit as standard.

It’s also good news that Kia offers an excellent seven-year warranty, and although it’s unlikely you’ll find a Sportage at this price that’s still within that time frame, it does mean that most examples should have been looked after for longer than your average family SUV.

Mazda MX-5

• Production Years: 2005-2015
• Fuel Types: Petrol
• Best for: Sports car fun on a budget

You can have fun without spending a fortune. In fact, if you choose the Mazda MX-5 Mk3, fun is guaranteed. Choose between 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, which both deliver zesty performance. Either way, the MX-5 is a hoot to drive on a twisty country road.
These are exceptionally reliable cars, but do check the bodywork and MOT history for any sign of rust. Otherwise very little goes wrong with these superb two-seat roadsters. An MX-5 makes a great weekend toy but is comfortable enough to drive every day if you can get by with space for two and a small boot.

Mini Cooper S

• Production Years: 2014-2023
• Fuel Types: Petrol
• Best for: Hot hatch excitement

If you’re looking for a little excitement for your £10,000, look no further than the Mini Cooper S. You could get one of the regular models and still have a small car that’s fun to drive, but the S gets some extra poke – 190hp is more than enough power to make a car this size exciting.

But it’s not just the fact it’s pretty quick. It’s terribly cliche, but the Cooper S really does have that famous ‘go-kart feel’, because it’s so eager to turn into bends.

Skoda Octavia

• Production Years: 2012-2019
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Ultimate value for money

It’s hard to think of a more sensible used buy than the Skoda Octavia. The car is affordable to run, with the diesels in particular delivering excellent economy for high-mileage drivers. But it’s the cabin that really sets the Octavia apart from other family cars, with plenty of head and legroom for adults, even in the back. The boot is huge, too.

Okay, it’s not exactly stylish and a Ford Focus is a lot more fun to drive. But you’ll find the Octavia a satisfying and capable car that suits head-over-heart buyers.

Toyota Yaris

• Production Years: 2012-2019
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Ultimate value for money

Nobody in their right mind would try to talk someone out of buying a Toyota. When it comes to reliability, Toyota lives up to its reputation. These cars hardly ever go wrong and if they do, dealers usually put them right quickly. The previous-generation Toyota Yaris is an excellent example of a durable, dependable Toyota.

It’s one of the most reliable cars you can buy, and one of few models at this price point available with petrol, diesel, and hybrid power. The diesels have the edge for motorway economy, but the hybrids are really efficient if you do most of your miles around town. There’s decent space for passengers and their bags, but the Yaris isn’t as engaging to drive as a Fiesta.

Volkswagen e-Golf

• Production Years: 2012-2019
• Fuel Types: Diesel, Petrol
• Best for: Ultimate value for money

Whatever you need from a car, there’s probably a Golf that will fit your needs. Here, we’re looking at the all-electric e-Golf, because although you’re probably only looking at about 100 miles to a charge, if you just want a practical, comfortable electric car to pootle around the city it’s an excellent option.

If the electric model doesn’t appeal, there are petrol, diesel and hybrid options, and if you need more space, you could consider a Golf Estate. Want more power? There’s a sporty GTI, too.

Best used cars under £10k FAQs

What is the best used car under £10,000?

The best used car under £10,000 very much depends on your needs. The Toyota Yaris is perfect if reliability is your focus, while the Skoda Octavia is ideal if spaciousness is key. Consider the Mazda MX-5 if you want to prioritise fun.

What is the best make of second hand cars?

Toyota and Lexus cars make excellent second-hand cars because they are incredibly reliable and come with a fantastic warranty. As with all used cars, you should still look for a model with a full service history and check all the paperwork is present and correct.

Change cars online with Carwow

Looking to buy a car? Then carwow has you covered. You can browse the latest deals on new cars and check out the the cost of leasing. You can also browse an extensive list of used cars from a network of trusted dealers, and if you need to sell your car online, Carwow can help with that too.