Used automatic cars for sale

It depends on the particular make and model. As a rule of thumb, yes, automatic models use a little more fuel than cars with a manual gearbox, but these days the difference in economy is very small.

No. If anything it’s the other way around. It’s hard to find a large modern car with a manual gearbox as most are automatics. All electric cars are autos and almost all hybrids use an automatic transmission. Manual gearboxes are still popular with small car buyers, but even if you are shopping for a small used car there are plenty of autos to choose from.

Wow, that’s a tough question. If you want a small car, the latest Renault Clio hybrid is hard to beat. The Toyota Yaris hybrid also makes a good buy. If you need a bit more space, try a Ford Focus with the PowerShift auto ’box. If you want a premium badge, look at a second-hand BMW 3 Series automatic or the larger 5 Series. The Volvo XC40 is a good second-hand automatic if you want an SUV, while the Mercedes S-Class is a great luxury saloon with an automatic gearbox.

The life of any car will depend on how well it is maintained and how it is driven. The automatic gearbox itself should last 150,000 miles or more and can be replaced to keep the car on the road.

The average mileage for a UK car is around 7,000-8,000 miles each year, but that will vary a lot.

Many small automatics like the Honda Jazz auto are often driven by low-mileage drivers who make a lot of short, local journeys. On the other hand, a car like the Mercedes E-Class automatic is likely to start out as a company car, potentially covering tens of thousands of miles each year.

High-mileage automatic cars aren’t necessarily bad used buys, as a car will tend to sit in top gear on the motorway. Short stop-start journeys will put more wear on the gearbox and transmission than long journeys at a near-constant speed.