Best used cars under £20,000
Buying a new car is an expensive business. A budget of £20,000 is barely enough for a new Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa, while a good family hatchback is likely to cost closer to £30,000. No wonder you're here searching for used car advice.
The good news is that £20,000 goes a very long way on the used car market. Indeed, you can afford anything from a relatively new small SUV with all the trimmings to a large car with space for the whole family and a couple of dogs. If you're lucky, the car will still be covered by a factory warranty, giving you one less thing to worry about.
There are thousands of used cars to choose from, so you can afford to be picky. Figure out your priorities, create a shortlist of candidates, then start perusing the classifieds.
To help you on your way, here are some of our favourite used cars for less than £20,000. All the models here are no more than 10 years old, and can be found with less than 100,000 miles on the clock.
Best used cars under £20,000
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Volkswagen T-Cross
The VW T-Cross is one of a number of nearly-new small SUVs you can find for £20,000, so why does it get the nod over its rivals? For a start, it’s based on the excellent VW Polo supermini, but the T-Cross adds some extra style and practicality. While some other entry-level models feel a bit basic, the entry-level S model bucks the trend by boasting the likes of 16-inch black alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen media display, air conditioning and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. The 1.0 TSI petrol engine is willing and economical.
Kia Stonic
Another small SUV, this time with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty. A strong selling point, especially when you consider that £20,000 is enough to buy a new and unregistered Kia Stonic. However, there’s more to the Stonic than a long warranty, because it also offers low running costs, decent handling and an enviable list of standard equipment. The Stonic ‘2’ is great value for money, but the flagship GT-Line S boasts heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, front parking sensors and LED rear lights.
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BMW 5 Series
A budget of £20,000 is enough to secure an early example of the current BMW 5 Series. This is a brilliant executive saloon, with the driver appeal of a 3 Series and the quality and practicality of the flagship 7 Series. On a motorway, it feels comfortable and cosseting, while on a B-road it feels sharp and dynamic. It also features a wonderfully finished cabin, the very latest connectivity and safety tech, and enough space for five adults and their luggage. For enhanced practicality and versatility, take a look at the 5 Series Touring estate, which comes with a useful split tailgate.
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MINI Convertible
When you discover how good the MINI Convertible feels with the roof up, you’ll wonder why anyone buys the tin-top version. It’s as good to drive as the MINI Hatch, while the fabric roof makes the cabin feel cosy and quiet, even when the British weather is doing its worst. With the roof down, the Convertible adds another layer of enjoyment to the MINI experience, so you’ll be glad you went topless. Although there is enough room for four adults, we think the rear seats are best utilised as extra storage space. The MINI’s boot is a little on the small side.
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Nissan Leaf
There's an increasing number of electric cars available for under £20,000, and you should be able to afford a Nissan Leaf registered in 2023. For this price, it’s likely to be the standard Leaf with a 39kWh battery, which offers an official range of 168 miles. If you can stretch the budget to the Leaf e+, you’ll get a larger 62kWh battery and a range of 239 miles. The Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car and it achieved this by being competent in every area. It’s easy to drive and live with, while the innovative e-Pedal enables you to drive the car using the accelerator only.
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Land Rover Discovery Sport
Perhaps more than any other car on this list, the Land Rover Discovery Sport requires care and attention when buying. It’s a fabulous car, but some have been unreliable, so make sure you look carefully at all the paperwork and history of any car you’re interested in. That caveat out of the way, £20,000 could get you a brilliant, comfortable family car with incredible off-road capability – ideal if you live somewhere very rural. Most models will seat seven. You’ll struggle to get one still in warranty at this price, but there are plenty of low-mileage models available.
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Toyota C-HR
You might not like the styling of the C-HR, but you can’t accuse Toyota of playing it safe. Open the doors and you’ll discover an interior that, while not as bold as the exterior, is stylish and well-built. For a £20,000 budget, you get a choice of three petrol engines: a 1.2-litre turbo and a 1.8-litre hybrid, along with a 2.0-litre hybrid, introduced in 2020. The cheaper 1.2-litre engine will be fine for most people, and our Real MPG data suggests you’ll see between 35mpg and 40mpg (the hybrid should return around 58mpg). Space is tight in the back, but there’s little else wrong with the C-HR.
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
For just £20,000 you can have a nearly-new, still-under-warranty electric hatchback with a 205-mile range. The Vauxhall Corsa Electric – formerly known as the Corsa-e – is sold new alongside petrol and diesel models, and looks almost identical, so if you’re concerned about the switch to electric it’ll make you feel right at home. It has all the latest entertainment and safety tech, and the revised suspension means it drives better than other Corsa models, too. Following an update in 2023, there are now two models available: the standard car with 222 miles of range, plus a Long Range model with an official 246-mile range.
Hyundai Santa Fe
A 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will be nearing the end of its original five-year unlimited mileage warranty, but this five- or seven-seat SUV is reliable enough for this to be of little concern. The Santa Fe is a popular large family car, with buyers loving its blend of style, practicality, price, equipment and warranty. The punchy and economical 2.2 CRDi diesel engine does an excellent job, even with seven seats occupied and a boot full of luggage. Strong demand means you won’t be short of buyers when it comes to moving the car on, either.
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Volvo V90
You’ll get a lot for your money when you spend £20,000 on a used Volvo V90. This is Volvo’s rival to premium estate cars such as the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate, with its own unique style and upmarket interior. As you’d expect, this is one of the safest estate cars in the world, which is a huge factor when you’re buying with the family in mind. There’s a high level of standard equipment, along with some of the most comfortable seats you’ll find this side of a Rolls-Royce. It’s also a reminder of why estate cars are often better than SUVs.
Can I buy a new car for under £20,000?
It’s getting increasingly difficult to buy a car for under £20,000. Visit a Ford showroom and you’ll discover that the only the entry-level Fiesta costs less than £20k – and that's about to be axed. It’s a similar story at Vauxhall, where the Corsa is the only car to duck below this barrier. Take a look at entry-level vehicles from Dacia, Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, Renault, MG and Citroen if you don’t want to spend more than £20,000 on a new car.
What’s the best sports car for under £20,000?
If you’re after something relatively new, the Mazda MX-5 is all the sports car you’ll ever need. It’s superb to drive, relatively affordable and no less reliable than a family hatchback. Alternatively, take a look at the Fiat 124 Spider. It shares a platform with the MX-5 and was built at the same factory in Japan, but power is sourced from a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. The Abarth version is a hardcore alternative with a naughty soundtrack.
What’s the best estate car for under £20,000?
For the best blend of style, equipment, space and handling, look no further than the excellent BMW 5 Series Touring. For a little more comfort and space, the Mercedes E-Class Estate is a great alternative, while the Volvo V90 oozes Swedish sophistication. If you’re after something cheap for trips to the recycling centre, take a look at the Dacia Logan MCV and save yourself thousands of pounds. Even the newest examples should cost no more than £10,000.
What's the best SUV under £20,000?
