Three of the best used cars for less than £30,000 – and the one to avoid

Buying a brand new car is a great feeling, but if you want to get the most for your money then a few hours browsing used cars can uncover some proper bargains. There are increasingly fewer new models on sale for under £30,000, but this budget can buy you a lot on the second-hand market.

We’ve picked three of the best used cars for under £30,000, as well as one model which may look tempting but is likely to end in tears.

Volvo XC40 – style and substance in one

• We found: 2022 Plus Dark with 7,000 miles
• Saving over new: £11,000

Buying a sensible small SUV doesn’t mean compromising on style, as proved by the Volvo XC40. It’s a fabulous-looking thing with an equally sleek interior, and you get loads of passenger space as well.

Some of the interior controls are a bit fiddly to use, although this isn’t something you can say about the excellent Google-based infotainment system. The XC40 is properly comfortable for long-distance cruising as well.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 – a funky electric SUV

• We found: 2024 Ultimate with 16,000 miles
• Saving over new: £20,000

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric SUVs you can buy. It’s practical, well-equipped and lovely to drive, and there’s loads of interior space for your passengers to spread out.

The boot may not be quite as big as the Skoda Enyaq’s, but the Ioniq 5 is a lot more stylish than that car. The retro-futuristic design helps it really stand out, and for £30,000 you can get a model with an impressive 295 miles of range.

BMW Z4 – a weekend toy you can use every day

• We found: 2019 M40i with 21,000 miles
• Saving over new: £18,650

You just can’t beat the feeling of the wind in your hair on a warm summer’s day, and for £30,000 you can get yourself a fantastic convertible sports car. The BMW Z4 not only looks awesome, it also has a properly posh interior and a decent-sized boot for a small two-seater.

It’s not quite as comfortable as something like a Mercedes SLC, but it’s still smooth enough to cope with the potholes on your daily commute. The infotainment system in the Z4 is also excellent.

Bentley Continental GTC – don’t give in to temptation

• We found: 2008 GTC 6.0 W12 with 57,000 miles
• Saving over new: £100,000

The thought of a Bentley Continental GTC for less than the price of a new family SUV seems very appealing at first. That creamy W12 engine is hugely powerful, and the GTC is a convertible which you can use to cover continents in supreme comfort.

That is until something goes wrong, at which point you won’t be feeling so relaxed. These cars are getting on for 18 years old now, and those engines are hugely complicated and expensive to fix. Go into it with no emergency repair funds and buying an old Continental will almost certainly end in tears.

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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