by If you’ve got £5,000 saved up to spend on a car, don’t put it towards a deposit for a PCP finance deal on a new model; why not consider spending it on a cheaper vehicle that you will use completely? You might be surprised to see how many good quality used cars are still available for that figure, despite the recent rise in prices.
For example, here are 6 used split cars that you can get for the same price as that CCP deposit. They are all recommended, useful, reliable and comfortable.
But not everything is good value, so I’ve included a few surprising used purchases that you can steer clear of.
The best urban racing
Hyundai i10 (2014-2020)
Compact on the outside, roomy on the inside and an interior that’s far better than a city car deserves: it’s no wonder we love the Hyundai i10. And its excellent reputation for reliability, smooth ride quality and good handling only add to the reasons why you should choose it. If you are in the market for a small car, it is a cast iron competitor.
Price to pay: from £3,000
We got: Premium i10 2014, 68,000 miles, full service history, £4,999
Look out for: Notorious gearshifts, sticky hand brakes, unusual air conditioning
Best for families
Skoda Octavia (2004-2013)
This second generation Octavia offers everything a Volkswagen Golf can, since they are based on the same mechanisms – and a little more. You get the same range of engines, – which combine gutsy performance with impressive fuel economy – and the same combination of ride comfort and crisp handling. Inside, it’s almost as well done, with comfortable seats – but the Octavia’s trump card is the amount of space in the back seats and boot.
Price to pay: from £1,500
We got: 2010 Octavia 1.4 TSI Elegance, 48,500 miles, full service history, £4,990
Look out for: Dodgers DSG semi-automatic gearboxes, climate control failure, ABS (anti-lock braking) warning lights, water pooling inside doors
Best for dogs
Honda CR-V (2006-2012)
The very useful CR-V combines a great reputation for reliability from tried-and-tested mechanics with loads of space and a boot big enough for any canine companion (not to mention a sliding rear seat, so you can increase the space even further). Plus, its four-wheel drive system will help you out on muddy back lanes and rutted country car parks, if you decide to take your palmtop well off the beaten track.
Price to pay: from £3,500
We got: 2011 CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC ES, 79,000 miles, full service history, £4,850
Look out for: Air conditioning not blowing cold, battery drains, condensation in rear lights, door handle paint chipping
Best for fun in the sun
Mini Convertible (2009-2015)
You’ve probably assumed we’d recommend the Mazda MX-5 … That’s understandable, because it’s hard to tell them apart, but the Mini edges it out because you only get an early, slightly rusty example of the MX -5 is least desirable. In contrast, a Mini convertible is almost as engaging to drive, much more pleasant to sit in and has two extra seats. What don’t you like?
Price to pay: from £1,500
We got: 2011 1.6 Cooper, 77,400 miles, full service history, £4,990
Look out for: Electric niggles, flywheels on diesel, weak starter motor, blown stereo speakers
Best for low running costs
Toyota Auris Hybrid (2010-2012)
For just £5,000 you don’t have to look too hard to get value for your money of more than 60mpg and £0 a year tax rate in a petrol-fueled car (which is cheaper than diesel). Tiny hatchbacks will do that. But to get all that in a bigger car that can carry a family with ease – and one whose reliability record can’t be compared? For that, you’ll have to opt for the Auris Hybrid, which is rather dull to drive and a bit tacky inside, but certainly offers the best cost-to-space ratio of any car this side of £ 5,000.
Price to pay: from £4,500
We got: 2011 Auris 1.8 VVT-h T Spirit, 95,532 miles, full service history, £4,995
Look out for: Water in the boot, jerky transmissions, hybrid system issues
Seven seats are preferred
Ford S-Max (2006-2014)
If you’re after seven seats at this price, don’t buy an SUV – there are plenty of MPVs (or people carriers) on the market for market prices because not many people want them. They do a much better job of carrying seven people than an SUV because their lower floor offers more interior space. The S-Max is probably the best of the bunch, which has a game stab at a relevant driving experience and looks like good value, although you might have to wade through some neglected examples and they were neglected to find a good one.
Price to pay: from £2,000
We got: 2012 S-Max 2.0 TDCi Titanium, 88,522 miles, full service history, £4,995
Look out for: Spotty service records, battered interior, electrical niggles, damp carpets, noisy power steering
Best for style
Audi TT (2006-2014)
Are you the type of person who is after a champagne lifestyle for beer money? In that case, you’ll love the second-generation TT, which manages to look remarkably fresh and modern for its age. So much so that the uninitiated will think it costs much more than it actually does. Rest assured, this will impress your friends in the pub. But it is not a pretty face; under the skin, this TT is much better to drive than its predecessor, and the gutsy 2.0-litre turbo has been carried over from the Golf GTI.
Price to pay: from £2,500
We got: 2007 TT 2.0 TFSI, 65,000 miles, full service history, £4,995
Look out for: High oil consumption, leaking timing chains, wonky electric windows, saggy seat bottoms, condensation in the headlights, ticking or knocking noises from the engine
…and the £5,000 used car to avoid
BMW 1 Series (2004-2011)
Its premium badge might tempt you, but the first generation 1 Series is hard to buy well, as many of its engines suffer from serious faults. That would be bad enough on its own, but even if you find a reliable example, the original 1 Series is limited in the back, rides hard and has a delightfully dark and sad interior, with some cheap stuff smuttered about. It is best to avoid it.
