10 Best Used Cars Under £20,000 2024
Finding the right used car in the market now can be a real challenge, with so many options and specs to choose from. It can be a real problem to find the one you really want. But fear not, for our ninjas are on hand to help! We work with used cars every day, and we know which ones are best for what purpose. This guide walks you through the best used cars and the most popular options for each price bracket. We can help you find the car you are looking for with just a few details, find the best possible rate for finance, and deal with all the paperwork for you!
Best Used Cars Under £10,000
There are plenty of good-quality options, even under the £10,000 mark. We have selected a few different options that we feel are brilliant value…
Ford Fiesta
Our Choice: 2017 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium – We found one for £8,900
The Ford Fiesta has always been a favourite of British drivers up and down the country. Not only is it affordable to buy and cheap to run, but it is also stylish and zippy!
We have plenty of models on our site with many levels of spec. We recommend any model from 2016 onwards, as the older models with high mileage can be prone to problems with the Ecoboost engine.
Pros: Very affordable to buy and run, Fun to drive
Cons: Not much interior space, Lots of high-mileage options
Volkswagen Polo
Our Choice: 2017 1.2 TSI Match Edition – We found one for £7,995
When it comes to the supermini category, the Volkswagen Polo has always been of high standard! With plenty of extras, such as cruise control and touchscreen infotainment, you will not be unimpressed with a used model.
It remains a fun car to drive, with a very good reputation. We have lots of options on our stock site with low mileage for you to browse. We recommend going for 2017 models onwards, as the older ones tend to have high mileage.
Pros: Decent levels of tech and specs, High-quality materials
Cons: Not very exciting looking, Slightly underpowered compared to competitors
Audi A1
Our Choice: 2016 1.6 TDI Sport Hatchback – We found one for £9,550
Audi is a desirable brand; their hatchback has been a favourite for years! The A1 is small enough for running around the city centre and squeezing into tight spaces, and it is exciting and stylish to boot.
If you are after a fun, cool and reliable little car, this could be your choice. The interior is well-finished with high-quality materials and a more than adequate infotainment system, and you can get this car in both automatic and manual versions.
Pros: Well-built and reliable, Desirable brand with good extras
Cons: Not a spacious interior, Can be overpriced compared to other options
Best Used Cars Under £15,000
Moving up the price range, we can find some newer and better-specified models to choose from…
BMW 3 Series
Our Choice: 2017 320d M Sport – We found one for £14,900
The BMW 3 Series is considered one of the best mid-sized saloon cars you can buy, and the used market is filled with brilliant options for this budget. Our choice is the highly efficient 2.0-litre diesel with M-Sport specs!
The 3 Series remains BMW’s bestselling model ever. It offers a great blend of comfort, practicality and fun behind the wheel. Whichever version you go for, the 3 Series is a great-looking car and will turn heads wherever you drive, especially if you go for the M-Sport package.
Pros: Comfortable and stylish, Eye-catching looks
Cons: Older models can have high mileage, M-Sport specs are harder to find at the right price
Skoda Octavia
Our Choice: 2021 1.5 TSI 150 SE L – We found one for £14,395
Skoda has a fantastic record of building reliable, good-looking cars that perform brilliantly on the road. The Octavia combines comfort, equipment and space into a stylish saloon.
It offers plenty of boot and passenger space, which is excellent for families. The real selling point is the drive on the road; it is composed and handles well. It also boasts very good MPG stats.
Pros: Comfortable with plenty of space, Excellent drive
Cons: Other rival options are more refined, Infotainment system can have issues
Volkswagen Golf
Our Choice: 2021 1.5 TSI Life – We found one for £13,995
The Volkswagen Golf is a top all-rounder, bringing comfort, handling, space and high-quality interior all together in a hatchback body. The attractive looks and long history of popularity make this a very desirable car.
We recommend the 2021 1.5-litre TSI Life model, as it is a good budget option. There are plenty of options on the market, though. The Golf, of course, comes in different variations, such as the famous GTI, the grunty diesel GTE, and the top-of-the-range R model, all of which will exceed the budget of £15K.
Pros: Great all-rounder, Stylish and well-equipped
Cons: Reliability is only average, Higher specced models can exceed our budget
Best Used Cars Under £20,000
Now to our last budget range. You may be surprised how far £20,000 will go in the used market and what it will get you. Our ninjas have delved into our classifieds to bring you the best options for this budget…
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Our Choice: 2019 2.0 C220d AMG Line – We found one for £18,990
A beautiful car with an excellent pedigree, the Mercedes C Class has always been a high-class car. It comes well-equipped with some of the best technology on the market and is comfortable and fun to drive.
If you are looking for a car that will carry you in comfort over long distances, then the C-Class is for you. This car will make you feel special every time you get into it. We have chosen the 2019 diesel AMG line, a fantastic option at this price!
Pros: Luxury interior and equipment, Beautiful looks and desirable brand
Cons: Newer models are well out of this price range, The C-Class is common on UK roads
Tesla Model 3
Our Choice: 2020 Standard Plus – We found one for £18,499
One of the most popular electric cars on the market, the Tesla Model 3 has been a favourite for EV lovers for years, and you can see why. With its impressive array of technology and explosive acceleration, it is an exciting car for sure!
You may think you won’t find one for less than £20K, but you would be wrong; there are many used Model 3s on the market! The Tesla Model 3 has good reviews across the board, with a comfortable ride and high-quality materials.
Pros: Packed with technology and driver assistance, Superb acceleration
Cons: £20K does not get you a high-specced model, They are common and they all look rather similar
Volvo XC40
Our Choice: 2019 2.0 T4 R-DESIGN – We found one for £19,800
The Volvo XC40 is the brand’s smallest SUV, but it is still perfect for a growing family, with plenty of space inside and some of the best safety features on the market. Volvo is actually the safest brand of car on sale!
The XC40 is stylish, comfortable and well-equipped. It has petrol and mild-hybrid options, with the mild-hybrid petrol engine providing great acceleration. We recommend the 2.0 T4 R-Design.
Pros: Luxury interior and equipment, Plenty of interior and boot space
Cons: Not the largest SUV in its category, Volvo is an expensive brand to maintain
KIA Sportage
Our Choice: 2022 1.6 CRDi ISG 2 – We found one for £19,999
The KIA Sportage has grown in popularity over the years, with sharp new lines, a distinctive tiger-nose grille, and a two-tone roof option for added flair. Technology takes centre stage in this car as well, blowing some of its competitors out of the water with the standard equipment.
If you are looking for a family SUV that is comfortable, stylish, reliable and packed with helpful features, then take a look at a KIA Sportage, it could be the perfect fit for your fam!
Pros: Well-equipped compared to competitors, Stylish and spacious
Cons: The ride can be quite floaty, Bland and not very exciting to drive
