Most reliable cars for 25 to 34-year-olds
If you’re in the market for a second-hand car and want something that is going to be reliable, these are your best options.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 02 February 2026 | 1 min read
When it comes to buying a second-hand car, the last thing you want is for it to break down.
If you’re aged between 25 and 34 years old, you’ll need a car that is going to be reliable and practical, as you might be at the stage of starting a family, beginning a new job, or looking to upgrade to something more efficient, and thankfully, there are lots of options available through Cazoo that do just that.
The cars on this list are tough, dependable, frugal and can be picked up on the used market for an affordable price.
Here are the top 10 most reliable second-hand cars for buyers aged between 25 and 34 years old.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of the most reliable small family hatchbacks and is a great option for those looking to upgrade from a supermini.
The Civic is great to drive, provides lots of interior space and has one of the best-in-class boot capacities at 410 litres.
The latest model is efficient too, with all cars equipped with a hybrid powertrain, which mixes a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a claimed fuel consumption of 60mpg and produces just 108g/km of CO2, making it very cheap to run.
Used examples start at around £20,500 for a four-year-old car that’s covered just 22,000 miles from new.
Search for used Honda Civic on Cazoo
Honda CR-V
If you’re starting a family and need something even more practical, then the Honda CR-V is a great choice.
Not only is it extremely reliable, but the CR-V is one of the most capable cars for carrying lots of people around in comfort.
Under the bonnet, there is an efficient hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a claimed fuel consumption figure of 53mpg.
The used market offers lots of CR-Vs, with a low-mileage car that’s covered 45,000 miles priced at £20,000.
Search for used Honda CR-V on Cazoo
Hyundai Tucson
Another great choice for a new family is the Hyundai Tucson, which is stylish, reliable and packed full of standard kit.
The Tucson is one of Britain’s best-selling cars and it’s easy to see why. Behind the wheel, the car is surprisingly good fun for this type of vehicle, which is thanks to its precise steering and limited body lean around corners.
There is also lots of space inside with plenty of rear-seat accommodation, offering acres of head and legroom. Meanwhile, the Tucson is available with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, meaning there is an example to suit everyone.
Second-hand petrol models are sat on the market for around £15,000, while a hybrid variant can be picked up for £17,500.
Search for used Hyundai Tucson on Cazoo
Kia Cee’d
The Cee’d is a safe, sensible and practical choice for those who need a reliable and hard-working hatchback.
It may not be the most exciting car on the used market, but the Cee’d ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of buyers.
It’s practical, with an interior full of cubby holes, and there is sufficient rear-seat space and a boot capacity of 395 litres.
There is also a choice of efficient petrol and diesel powertrains, which boast 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to boost efficiency.
Used prices start at £11,500 for a 45,000-mile example from 2022, while a 1.5-litre model will set you back £13,995.
Search for used Kia Cee’d on Cazoo
Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is a great choice if you’re looking for a small family SUV with the added benefit of a hybrid powertrain and a luxurious interior.
The NX is one of the most reliable SUVs on the used market, while its hybrid setup consists of a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a claimed fuel consumption of 47mpg.
It’s also a very comfortable car to travel in, thanks to its plush-feeling cabin, soft suspension and refined interior.
Plus, with a boot capacity of 545 litres, the NX is more than capable of being a premium alternative for a young family.
Used prices start at around £30,000 for a 2022 car with 26,000 miles on the clock.
Search for used Lexus NX on Cazoo
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a great choice for buyers who are looking for their first SUV and want something with a sporty character and pa ractical interior.
The CX-5 is great to drive with its tight gearbox, sharp handling and excellent levels of grip. Plus, with lots of storage space inside, the car provides more than enough room for a family.
The 2.0-litre petrol model delivers a claimed 41mpg on the combined cycle and all models come with lots of standard kit.
If you fancy a second-hand CX-5, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are loads available on the used market with a 37,500-mile petrol example up for £15,495.
Search for used Mazda CX-5 on Cazoo
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia is a great all-rounder for anyone looking to buy a sensible hatchback with lots of space.
It’s available with frugal petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while there is even a hot ‘vRS’ model for the performance buyer.
The Octavia provides one of the largest boot capacities in its class, offering 600 litres, while the rear seats fold completely flat, extending that room to 1,555 litres.
Prices for a 1.0-litre petrol example can be picked up for just over £13,000, while vRS models are priced from £21,000.
Search for used Skoda Octavia on Cazoo
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a fun, funky and cheap-to-run car that does everything a small car can offer.
Out on the road, the Swift’s light and darty character makes it a really entertaining drive with its accurate steering and well-set-up chassis.
All models come with lots of standard equipment and the Swift is one of the most reliable small cars around, thanks to its simple mechanics.
Used Suzuki Swifts are on the second-hand market priced at £9,500 for a four-year-old car that’s on 42,000 miles.
Search for used Suzuki Swift on Cazoo
Toyota Corolla
Toyotas are one of the most dependable, reliable and durable cars on the road, and the Corolla is the benchmark when it comes to quality.
The latest model has been around since 2019 and in that time, it’s become a firm favourite with families, taxi drivers and those who want an ultra-efficient hatchback.
It comes as standard with a hybrid powertrain, and is available with 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre setups.
Second-hand examples start at around £14,700 for a 1.8-litre model with 50,000 miles, while 2.0-litre cars can be picked up for £15,700.
Search for used Toyota Corolla on Cazoo
Toyota Yaris
A great choice for younger drivers is the Toyota Yaris, as it offers so much in the way of efficiency, driving dynamics and reliability.
The Yaris was one of the first superminis to adopt a hybrid powertrain, and the latest model is one of the most efficient cars on the market, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor delivering a claimed fuel consumption of up to 70.6mpg.
The Yaris is great to drive and is very easy to live with, thanks to its compact dimensions, making it a doddle to drive around town.
Prices for used examples can be found on the second-hand market from £13,700, or flagship Excel models are priced at £16,000.
Search for used Toyota Yaris on Cazoo