The Best Family Car According to Science

• A study by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University has revealed the best second-hand family car in the UK based on scientific principles.
• The study, in partnership with Cazoo, looked at the best cars for families across key measures such as price, safety and practicality.
• Tesla takes the top spot scoring highly on safety, warranty, boot space and running costs.
• EVs and hybrids make up 7 of the top 10 cars, with long warranties, low running costs and great specs bolstering their position.
• The study looked at the most popular 3-year old vehicles under £25k – but models can be found on Cazoo for as little as £5,000.

London, UK - 31st March 2026: An academic study has determined that the Tesla Model Y is scientifically the best second-hand car for families in the UK.

The study – carried out by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University in partnership with Cazoo – found that the Tesla SUV topped the list with a score of 58 based on a rigorous points based system.

It was closely followed by the Ford Focus (53) and the Vauxhall Corsa (50), which claimed the second and third positions, respectively.

The study assessed a series of models that were registered in the past three years and are currently available second hand for under £25,000. Each car was deemed a ‘family car’ based on several features*. It took into account a total of ten metrics that are particularly important for families.

The list includes elements such as safety, practicality, boot volume, insurance group and long-term value. Price figures were based on the average for a 3-year old vehicle.

The top choices

The Tesla Model Y’s victory was driven by perfect scores (a maximum of ten points) in three categories: safety, warranty and boot volume. This model has an industry-leading 8-year warranty and has a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It also scored highly on additional characteristics which looked at ‘bonus features’ such as climate control, parking cameras and a lane departure warning system.

Despite the high cost of the Tesla, with an average price of £22,428 for a 3-year old model, the high performance and low running costs offset the initial investment. Another option for families interested in a Tesla is an older model, which can be found on Cazoo from just £9,000.

The runners up - the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa - are long-standing car choices for families. They earned high scores with solid performances across the features analysed, which paired with a low insurance group and price make them popular and easily-accessible choices.

Table: The top 10 best used cars for families in the UK under £25,000

Source: Professor Peter Wells, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University

The rise of the EV

The study looked at both petrol and electric cars, and demonstrated the clear strength of EVs- a symptom of the wider industry movement. Seven of the top ten cars are hybrids or fully electric. EVs’ strong overall performance was largely led by their low per-mile running costs and long battery warranty periods.

These models also benefitted by combining relative affordability with high-spec features. By choosing a 2023 model, such as the ones analysed, buyers avoid the impact of initial depreciation. This then allows them to benefit from premium features for a fraction of the original price.

Comment from Professor Peter Wells, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University:“With so much opinion available on the ‘best’ cars, it’s always been tricky for consumers to navigate the buying decision. This new top ten list identifies the hard facts that family car buyers care about. While each factor plays a unique role, this innovative approachhas been valuable to decipher the perfect combination of key appealfeatures. In this case, the Tesla Model Y takes it. Despite being a more pricey option, the car meets that ideal balance between value and quality. That said, it’s worth looking into several on the top 10 list, as each will provide a feature beneficial to family life.”

Comment from Lucy Tugby, Marketing Director at Cazoo: “Buying a family car can be an overwhelming process – especially when you’re a busy parent. How do you know which car is right for you? We’re thrilled to be working with such an established voice on the subject, Peter Wells, who has crunched the numbers and revealed the ultimate choices for family life. We understand that every family needs a car unique to their needs, so the list devised provides something for everyone. And by buying a used car, you can find models that provide high-spec features at a lower price point.”

All models mentioned are available on the Cazoo site.