What are the best used cars under £10,000?

The best used cars under £10,000 prove that it’s possible to get yourself a great set of wheels on a tighter budget. Although the prices of new and used cars have risen over recent years, the good news is that modern cars are better than ever, so you can find plenty of cars that are a few years old but still come with the kind of features and reliability you want.

How we chose these cars

Here, we’ve used our expertise and experience to come up with what we think are the ten best used cars you can buy for less than £10,000. Our selection includes cars to suit a variety of budgets and needs. Some are larger, some are smaller but each one is especially good at what it sets out to do and is excellent value for money.

1. BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series squeezes all the style, quality and driving appeal you associate with the brand into a stylish hatchback that’s about the same size as a Ford Focus. Our budget means you’re looking at the previous model, which was on sale new between 2011 and 2019, but that’s no bad thing because it’s an excellent package and has a good record for reliability.

While it might not have the very latest features this 1 Series is an impressively high-tech car, and some models have LED headlights, a reversing camera and lots of advanced safety functions. There are lots of petrol and engines to choose from – some very fuel-efficient, some very powerful and some in-between. This isn’t the most practical hatchback around, but four adults will fit just fine and the interior has a feel good factor thanks to its smart design and high-quality materials.

2. MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV does the seemingly impossible, being a family-friendly SUV with pure-electric power for less than £10,000. For the money you’ll get one of the shorter-range versions but an official maximum of 163 miles with a full charge isn’t bad compared with some newer, smaller EVs. 

While its comparatively compact, the MG ZS EV is usefully spacious inside and the dashboard is user-friendly, with its large central touchscreen and simple controls. Most versions are well-equipped, with features including Apple Carplay/Android Auto integration and rear parking sensors, while higher-spec models have a rear-view camera, electric driver’s seat adjustment and a panoramic sunroof.

3. Vauxhall Corsa

You’re spoilt for choice with the Vauxhall Corsa because it’s one of the best-selling cars in the UK. That means there are thousands out there, which helps to keep prices competitive and the Corsa is great value to start with. In fact, for less than £10,000 you should be able to find a 2021 or even a 2022 model, so you’re getting a car that’s current and has bang-up-to-date kit. 

Put any images of basic Corsas of old out of your mind – this is the latest model and it’s a thoroughly modern hatchback that’s good to drive, comfortable and available with some surprisingly advanced features. There are lots of fuel-efficient petrol models to choose from, or diesel if you prefer. There’s even a pure-electric version with a range of more than 200 miles (according to the official figures) that just sneaks under our £10,000 cut-off.

4. Seat Ateca

The Seat Ateca is a mid-size SUV with more pizazz than most. Its sharp-edged design sets the tone for a car that has a responsive, sporty feel on the road. Okay, it’s no hot hatch but if you want a family-friendly car with a raised driving position that inspires lots of confidence behind the wheel it’s a great shout. 

The interior has lots of space and it feels light and airy inside. Although it’s not much longer than a mid-size hatchback the Ateca is a practical family car with a large boot. And for less than £10,000 you can get a mid-spec SE Technology model that has desirable features including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, LED headlights and reversing sensors.

5. Kia Ceed

The latest Kia Ceed (on sale new since 2018) is a stylish alternative to cars such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf that gives you so much for your money. Even the cheapest ‘2’ trim level includes a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, heated door mirrors, cruise control and lots of driver assistance safety features. You’ll also find a few Ceeds in mid-spec ‘3’ trim within our budget – these add extras including electrically folding door mirrors, climate control and a larger touchscreen display with sat nav. 

Whichever version you choose, the Ceed is good to drive and fuel-efficient. It’s practical, too, especially if you go for the ‘Sportswagon’ estate model with its large boot. Kia has a good reputation for reliability and its unusually long seven-year warranty on new cars means that you might be able to find a used car for less than £10,000 with some of its original warranty remaining.

6. Renault Captur

The Renault Captur is a compact SUV that gives you tough looks and a high driving position with the running costs of a small hatchback. The first Captur, on sale new between 2013 and 2019, is amazing value. It's practical enough for a small family thanks to its large boot, sliding rear seat and roomy interior. It's also stylish, comfortable and available in a wide choice of colour combinations – some of them very striking. 

Stretch our £10,000 budget by a smidgeon and you can afford the newer Captur model, which went on sale in 2019. It's even better, with a sleek modern interior and lots of extra features as standard.

7. Audi A4

If you want a premium car with lots of space and equipment that feels like a top-quality product for less than £10,000 the Audi A4 is as good as it gets. While it looks great on the outside, the A4 really comes into its own on the inside, with an interior that’s beautifully designed and built to last.  

You get lots of choice with the A4, too – there are petrol and diesel versions that range from fuel-efficient to hugely powerful, saloon or estate models (called A4 Avant) and front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Every version is very well-equipped and top-spec models are positively luxurious.

8. Toyota Aygo

If you want a nearly-new runaround that’s perfectly suited to urban life look no further than the Toyota Aygo. This tiny hatchback promises fuss-free, low-cost car ownership. Its petrol engine gives excellent fuel economy and a low insurance group rating helps to keep costs to a minimum.

Thanks to its dinky size the Aygo will fit into the smallest of parking spaces, and it’s both enjoyable and easy to drive. Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability and with £10,000 to spend you could get a 2022 model that has much of its ten-year warranty remaining. Yep, you read that right – if it’s serviced at a Toyota dealer each year the Aygo has a mind-bending ten-year manufacturer warranty.

9. Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia isn’t the type of car that you lust after – it’s hard to imagine any kids putting a poster of it up their bedroom wall, for example. If, however, you’re looking for a sensible and comfortable car that costs less than most alternatives but gives you more space, the model sold new between 2013 and 2020 should be on your list. Because Skoda is part of the Volkswagen Group, the Octavia shares many parts with the Volkswagen Golf. It’s cheaper, though, and has a roomier and a larger boot. In fact, the Octavia has a larger boot than some much bigger, more expensive cars. And that’s just the hatchback – the estate version’s is an absolute whopper!

Entry-level S trim gives you the basics but it’s worth seeking out a higher-spec SE or SE-L model. They’re still well priced but come with the kind of features you expect in a modern family car.

10. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 does one thing better than just about any other small car: comfort. Compared with most other cars this size the i10 is quiet and has a very smooth ride. So you get the low running costs and easy-to-park dimensions of a city car with the kind of driving experience you get in a larger car. Brilliant!

Interior space is fairly limited, but four adults will fit and the dashboard is solid and easy to use. There are more standard features than you might expect for a car of this size, with even the cheapest  versions having air conditioning, alloy wheels, cruise control and a range of advanced safety features. With a budget of £10,000 a 2022 model is within reach, and you’ll still have plenty of the 5-year, unlimited-mileage warranty remaining.