Best Cheapish Used Car to buy 2023

T

Teesside96

Active member
Hello,

Not massively into cars but I need a car that can be reliable and not cost me more than 4 grand. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for them, I thought I could get a lot more for my money but looking at the used car prices since covid they are ridiculous, I didn't want go all out and get a more expensive car because the rate of borrowing is high at the moment and I feel like cars are inflated as is, and I don't want to lose alot of money if there is a second hand car price crash.

I'm looking to pay up to 4 grand so I can own the car outright without making any monthly payments. Does anyone have any recommendations on brands/models/year max mileage I should be looking at when buying one ofr best value for money?
I was thinking of going maybe for a ford because I heard they are quite reliable and the parts are common if it does need a repair on it.


Any help is appreciated, thank you
 
4 grand doesn't go very far now unfortunately with used cars. In 2009 I bought my 08 plate Ford focus with 9k miles on it and decent spec and still drive it today. It's getting on tho so we are looking to replace it but the same amount now buys 2016 1.0 eco boost models with 60k miles on the clock
, obviously inflation pays a part but since new car sales slowed down used prices have gone up

That said if you can get a focus in good Nick I can recommend them, they're a good size internally, the rear seats fold down which has been very useful over the years, and parts aren't crazy expensive and we haven't really looked after it (I've had it serviced 3 times since 2009) yet it's still going.

If you check the service intervals for focus, it tells you about when timing belts etc need replacing so make sure that & anything else has been done else it'll be looming
 
Same boat got a 59 plate Fiesta (Diesel) paid 3k for it back in 2017 with 89k on the clock. Its now done 161k and I'm at the point where I"m going to have to pay out alot to get another year on the MOT cert plus I haven't changed the timing belt since I've had it and have been quoted £4-500 to change it last time I had it in a garage to have some minor work done

The same vehicle with a few less miles is still going for over 2k

I didnt really want to go down the private sale route but garages you can add another 1k on at least
 
Used prices have rocketed, and a few years ago you could have got a lot more for your money, but now it is a struggle.

I would go with Japanese - Nissan, Toyota or Honda, or a suggested above a Focus.

Some older big SUVs go for a reasonable price, but what state they are in mechanically I dont know. Random example:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk
 
Steer said:
Used prices have rocketed, and a few years ago you could have got a lot more for your money, but now it is a struggle.

I would go with Japanese - Nissan, Toyota or Honda, or a suggested above a Focus.

Some older big SUVs go for a reasonable price, but what state they are in mechanically I dont know. Random example:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk
Click to expand...
I'd check the mot history of any cheap vehicle, that one is currently out of MOT for 4 months and sounds like it needs some work

01E94A81-B22C-4078-9833-0FABAAA92DB2.png
 
I suppose it can be a minefield when buying a car. The last 2 I bought for the kids I just used the filter on the autotrader app and took them for a test drive. One got a Clio the other a peugeot 108. They have been fine. I dont hear many people say they have been sold a ringer now so hope your search goes well.
 
At the moment older diesels have lost a lot of value, due to the clear air zones being imposed in major cities. These can be a good buy if you dont venture into cities. But they need you to do a lot of miles each day to make them function correctly and not clog up EGR and DPF valves which can be expensive.
Petrols are then holding value well and are in bigger demand from city dwellers. As has been said the Japanese are known for great reliability.
 
I personally would go for an older German car with higher mileage than Japanese.
You could get an older VW Polo/Golf, Audi A1/A3 or BMW 1 series for around 4k.

I got a runner to use for work recently. £3,300 for a 2012 Audi A3 with 75k miles. Runs great. Was well looked after. I would expect/hope that it will run for a few years with minimal issues.
 
You could have had my SEAT Ibiza I traded it in for £2,500 in February - 2014 63 plate - I would taken a bit more than £2,500 as a cash sale on Teesside. I find VW Group cars more reliable and durable than most.

It was high mileage but mostly up and down the motorways on low revs. It never needed anything doing to pass its MOTs

A dealer is trying to sell it for £4,500.
 
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There are a few good examples of Skoda Octavia’s out there sub £4k and sub 100k miles. Decent cars, reliable, petrol or diesel and the estates can fit a fair bit in.

Try and fine a diesel that’s done motorway miles.
 
Redwurzel said:
You could have had my SEAT Ibiza I traded it in for £2,500 in February - 2014 63 plate - I would taken a bit more than £2,500 as a cash sale. I find VW Group cars more reliable and durable than most.

It was high mileage but mostly up and down the motorways on low revs. It never needed anything doing to pass its MOTs

A dealer is trying to sell it for £4,500.
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That’s a shame this was a car I was looking at too 🥲
 
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