Used car buying guides by make & model

The Fiesta is one of the UK's cheapest cars to run and repair. A clean manual with full history is low-risk — just avoid tired Powershift autos.

Typical from ~£4,000

A great-handling family hatch, but EcoBoost reliability is the risk. Buy a well-serviced manual and budget for a coolant-pipe check.

Typical from ~£5,000

Premium feel and strong residuals, but VAG group issues (DSG, DPF, chains) make history everything. A fully-serviced example is a sound buy.

Typical from ~£6,000

A classy premium hatch with Golf underpinnings. Condition and history matter more than the badge — buy on provenance, not price.

Typical from ~£7,000

The driver's choice of the class, but older diesels carry real chain and EGR risk. Pay for an inspection or buy a model with the issues already resolved.

Typical from ~£8,000

One of the cheapest used cars to buy and run. A clean manual with a straight MOT is a low-risk, budget-friendly choice.

Typical from ~£3,500

Comfortable and prestige, but diesels need long runs and older cars can rust. A well-kept diesel with motorway history is the one to find.

Typical from ~£7,500

A practical, popular crossover. A manual or later auto with a clean MOT is the safe pick; be cautious of early CVTs.

Typical from ~£7,000

One of the lowest-risk used buys in the UK, especially the hybrid. Buy with confidence if the MOT and hybrid health are clean.

Typical from ~£5,000

A dependable, practical hatch. A rust-free example with full history is a low-risk, long-term ownership prospect.

Typical from ~£5,000

The Polo delivers Golf-grade refinement in a smaller, cheaper package. A well-serviced manual is a sensible long-term buy.

Typical from ~£5,000

A stylish, good-value supermini with proven VAG running gear. Buy on service history and budget for suspension consumables.

Typical from ~£4,500

Cheap to buy and cheap to run, but avoid the 1.2 TCe. A clean 0.9 TCe with full history is genuinely good value.

Typical from ~£4,000

A stylish, comfortable supermini undermined by the PureTech wet-belt issue. Buy only with documented belt work — or a later, revised car.

Typical from ~£4,500

A sensible, well-built supermini with a long warranty and low running costs — one of the safer small-car buys.

Typical from ~£5,000

A practical, underrated family hatch with the reassurance of Kia's long warranty — keep the dealer history alive and it's a bargain.

Typical from ~£5,000

Nothing fancy, but the Sandero is cheap, simple and surprisingly tough. A serviced example is a genuine bargain.

Typical from ~£4,000

Huge fun and strong residuals, but the Mini is a maintenance-hungry car — buy on a full history and budget for surprises.

Typical from ~£6,000

Rear-drive handling and premium build, but engine risk is real. A post-2012 diesel with documented oil changes is the smart pick.

Typical from ~£7,000

A stylish, desirable hatch. Buy a well-serviced petrol or a later car, and test that DCT properly before parting with money.

Typical from ~£9,000

Probably the safest used-car bet here — especially as a hybrid. Buy the best history and enjoy famously low running costs.

Typical from ~£9,000

Excellent value family transport, but the M32 gearbox is the one to check. A quiet, well-serviced car is a real bargain.

Typical from ~£4,500

A roomy, cheap small SUV. Condition and history matter far more than mileage here — check the chain and the electrics.

Typical from ~£5,000

Arguably the best value family car in Britain — huge space and frugal engines. Buy a serviced manual if you can.

Typical from ~£6,000

A sharper, cheaper Golf. Mechanically identical underneath, so buy on service history rather than spec sheet.

Typical from ~£5,500

Limousine space for family-hatch money. A serviced diesel estate is superb value — just check for water and DSG work.

Typical from ~£7,000

A stylish, comfortable estate with superb seats. Buy a fully documented later car and it will serve for years.

Typical from ~£8,000

The most rounded premium estate: comfortable, roomy and refined. A well-serviced 2.0 TDI is the value pick.

Typical from ~£8,000

Beautiful to drive and cheap to buy, but the XE is a risk-heavy used purchase. Only buy with a specialist inspection and a healthy history.

Typical from ~£8,000

A genuinely good family SUV with a long warranty. Buy a petrol or a documented diesel and it's a low-stress car.

Typical from ~£9,000

One of the UK's most popular used SUVs for good reason — look after the warranty record and avoid a tired diesel.

Typical from ~£9,000

Buy a petrol CX-5 and you have one of the most reliable used SUVs on sale. The diesel is the one to approach with care.

Typical from ~£8,000

A stylish, safe and desirable small SUV with strong residuals. A later, fully serviced car is a genuinely low-risk buy.

Typical from ~£14,000

Wonderful to live with when it's right, but the Discovery Sport is the riskiest car here. Buy with a specialist inspection and a warranty.

Typical from ~£9,000

A premium-feeling, practical family SUV. Buy a serviced manual, or a DSG with proven oil changes behind it.

Typical from ~£8,000

A desirable small SUV with the badge, the boot space and the driving position. Buy on maintenance records, not mileage.

Typical from ~£9,000

Compact, classy and practical, with VAG running costs. Buy a documented car and it's a solid family choice.

Typical from ~£9,000

Seven seats, huge space and sensible running costs. A fully serviced diesel or TSI is a great family buy.

Typical from ~£11,000

A bold, comfortable family SUV with a lovely cabin. Buy a later car with the belt and AdBlue work already done.

Typical from ~£8,000

A practical, good-value family SUV — but the EcoBoost cooling and belt issues make a documented history essential.

Typical from ~£8,000

Distinctive, cheap to run and easy to park. Buy a manual with history and steer clear of tired CVT cars.

Typical from ~£6,000

The hybrid RAV4 is one of the most dependable used SUVs you can buy — find the best history and keep it.

Typical from ~£11,000

Roomy, reliable and easy to own. A petrol or a well-used diesel with good history is a safe family choice.

Typical from ~£9,000

Frugal, roomy and covered by a long warranty — one of the smartest used hybrid buys around.

Typical from ~£9,000

A practical, high-riding supermini with clever interior space. Avoid the 1.2 TCe and buy on history.

Typical from ~£6,000