FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I’ve driven my fair share of cars, and it’s helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor.
In this guide, I’ve selected some of my favourite used cars.
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The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It’s also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree.
Whether you’re a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we’ve got you covered.
These cars are the used cars I’d buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let’s start with my top choice of used car in the UK.
What is the best used car to buy?
Practical? Check. Affordable? Check. Reliable? Check. Fashionable? Err, maybe…
All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster.
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Model: Dacia Duster
It’s a great family car that’s also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4×4 version).
In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great.
It’s pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg.
It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000.
Dacia owners are like Millwall fans. Everyone hates them, and they don’t care.
Don’t judge them until you’ve driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you’ll probably buy a Dacia too.
Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here.
Which used car should I buy?
You’re an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want.
Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories.
Best used city car
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Model: Skoda Fabia
The Skoda Fabia is a great-looking little car that’s practical, safe and reliable.
You’ll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it’s small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort.
The Skoda Fabia isn’t a blow-your-socks-off city car like the Audi A1, for example, but it’s cheaper to buy and run.
When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won’t be as bothered.
We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000.
Best used for rural driving
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Model: Subaru Forester
Modern Range Rovers aren’t the rugged beasts of the past (unless you’re paying for premium models), so we’re going for the Subaru Forester.
These are a farmer’s favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality.
Top Gear calls it “comfy, spacious and dependable”, which is what you want from a rural runaround. Reliability, too, is amazing. It’s not the most refined driving experience and the interior can leave you a bit cold, but countryside folk aren’t worried about looks. Resale value is great as well.
The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we’re going old school with the 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0i XE.
Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors here.
Best used car for first-time drivers
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Model: Ford Fiesta
Join generations of new drivers with the Ford Fiesta. First-time drivers will want a low-cost car that’s affordable to insure.
You’ll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more).
It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain.
New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Zetec S.
Best used family car
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Model: Citroen C3
The Citroen C3 is a cool and compact city car that’s just about big enough to fit a young family in.
Classed as a supermini, it’s surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great.
When you drive it, it’s fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss.
Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, says WhatCar?, with the brand building some excellent cars.
Check out this nearly new, 2022 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Shine Plus. It’s a lot of car for £15,499, and with just 4,000 miles on the clock, it’s ready for a few more family holidays…
Best used luxury cars
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Model: Range Rover Evoque
This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice.
But, if you’re looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you’re talking about a Range Rover Evoque.
It’s the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want.
This 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is at the affordable end for a Range Rover. It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which pushes out 249 bhp. That will help you achieve a top speed of 142 mph and hit 60mph from a standing start in 7.4 seconds
Best used small car
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Model: Kia Picanto
Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time.
Turns out to be the former and we’re huge fans of its small car, the Kia Picanto.
It’s small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car.
While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic.
The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S is an affordable and sporty small car with extra points for the go-faster stripe on the side.
Car buying FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions we’re asked about buying a used car.
When is best to buy a used car?
When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You’ll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much.
If you’re looking for the perfect time to buy a used car, it’s today…
What’s the best mileage on a used car?
In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much.
What’s more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who.
A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that’s mostly done on long motorway runs.
Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear.
Where to buy used cars
Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You’ll find the UK’s best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can’t remember.
Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
