The three best used cars for under £50,000 – plus one which is best avoided

Buying a second-hand car is a great way of bagging a bargain. The first owner has already taken the biggest depreciation hit, and going for something which is a few years old can save you a fortune over the cost of a brand new car.

With a budget of £50,000 there is some seriously impressive metal on the used market, and we’ve picked three of the best cars you can buy for this budget. And as an added bonus, we’ve also thrown in one which looks tempting but is likely to end in tears.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

It’s hard to believe that you can get a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo for less than £50,000, but here we are. This budget will get you a 2021 4S model with around 35,000 miles on the clock, and it would’ve set you back £90,000 when it was new.

That’s bad news for the original owner, but great news for you because you now get to enjoy one of the best-driving electric cars on the market for a fraction of the price. It has a lovely interior as well, although it’s not quite as spacious as some SUVs.

Alpine A110

The Alpine A110 is one of the best sports cars in recent years. It has a peppy 1.8-litre engine with 252hp, and it’s a really light car making it feel agile through the corners. It may not be as practical as some coupes, but this is easily forgotten about on a twisty road.

For under £50,000 we’ve found a handful of A110s for sale, including the desirable S model which gets a power bump to 300hp. You’ll be able to get a 2022 car with low miles for this price.

Land Rover Defender 110

Cars don’t get much cooler than the Land Rover Defender. The boxy styling and desirable badge make it a real head-turner out on the road, and it’s not a case of style over substance either. It’s hugely practical and almost unstoppable off-road – although it’s worth keeping in mind that Land Rover doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability.

Look past this though and you have a seriously stylish and capable family SUV. For £50,000 you’ll be looking at a 2021 model with low miles fitted with the 3.0-litre diesel engine. It won’t be the cheapest thing to run, but at least it’s plenty powerful enough.

Ferrari 360 Modena: tempting but proceed with caution

The thought of a Ferrari for the same price as a mid-spec Tesla Model Y may seem like an incredible deal, but the sky-high running costs will soon take the shine off your ownership experience. A 25-year-old Italian supercar will also come with repair bills to make your eyes water if and when something goes wrong, so if you were to take the plunge you’ll need at least a few thousand pounds in a rainy day pot.

It’s a great-looking car though, and that 3.6-litre V8 engine packs plenty of power and makes a lovely noise. When it’s working the 360 will put a massive smile on your face, but when it’s not you’ll be cursing the day you bought it.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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