Best used cars under £10,000

Has the current coronavirus pandemic got you thinking about choosing a used car instead of a new one, to save a bit of cash? Or perhaps you’ve decided to commute to work by car, instead of on the bus or train – and with that in mind, you want to upgrade your old banger to something newer and more reliable?

Either way, you’ll find there’s a whole world of good quality used cars out there for a budget of £10,000. But with so many different makes and models available for that figure, it’s hard to work out which are the ones worth knowing about.

Check out our top 10 recommendations to find out which car best suits you and your lifestyle.

We’ll start with a small Hyundai and those two words guarantee exceptional value for money. This compact hatchback is very cost-effective to buy and run, and thanks to Hyundai's five-year warranty you can buy a used one and still have a longer warranty than some new cars.

The Hyundai i10 is much more than just a low-cost runaround, too. It’s bigger inside than you’d expect, with enough space for two full-grown adults in the back or three children. You also get more standard equipment than you do with most rival cars, especially if you choose our favourite SE trim.

Its diminutive dimensions make the i10 very easy to park or thread through busy streets yet it also feels perfectly at home on bigger roads, inspiring plenty of confidence whether you’re on a country road or cruising on the motorway.

Read our Hyundai i10 review

BMWs have long been the cars of choice for those who enjoy driving, and the BMW 1 Series is no exception. For £10,000 you can get a great example of the pre-2019 model, which has rear-wheel drive and feels beautifully balanced on the road. Take one for a drive, and it won’t be long before you notice the low-slung driving position, the steering that’s sharper than your average family car’s, or the way the 1 Series doesn’t lean over as much in bends.

Although the 1 Series isn’t quite as spacious as some rivals, it’s roomy enough to seat four adults and carry home a week’s shopping. What’s more, you can take your pick from a range of excellent petrol and diesel engines; the Efficient Dynamics versions in particular are astonishingly economical, while at the other end of the spectrum, the rapid M135i and M140i versions are truly exhilarating to drive. 

Read our BMW 1 Series review

Everyone’s heard of the Ford Fiesta – no wonder, really, given it’s been Britain’s best-selling car on and off for years. But while popularity is no guarantee of competence, in this case the two go hand-in-hand, because this seventh-generation Fiesta is terrific.

The peppy engines are great for nipping into gaps, there’s plenty of space inside, and then there’s the Fiesta’s handling, which is joyous, and makes it feel nimble and agile around town. Yet out on the motorway, the Fiesta’s brilliant too, with a remarkably comfortable suspension setup that feels like it’s come from a car twice the size. 

Zetec versions are well equipped and Titanium models even more so, which is handy, because these are also the most popular. And because there’s a Fiesta on every street corner, you shouldn’t have to look too far to find a good one. What’s more, if you want something more sporty, the Fiesta ST just happens to be one of the best hot hatches ever made. 

Read our Ford Fiesta review

Small, cost-effective cars don't have to be boring, as the Toyota Aygo proves. Its edgy, youthful looks stand out from the crowd, especially if you choose one of the many bold colour combinations available.

It's similarly stylish inside, with a minimalist design that makes it very easy to use. It's more practical than you might expect, with space for four adults and a boot large enough for a few bags.

As you'd imagine of such a small car, the Aygo is very easy to park and will squeeze into the tightest parking spaces. The three-cylinder petrol engine sounds sporty yet is very efficient, which contributes to the Aygo's exceptionally low ownership costs. Maintenance costs are likely to be low too, because Toyota's reputation for reliability is second to none.

Read our Toyota Aygo review

A simple, honest, down-to-earth SUV. That’s the Suzuki Vitara through and through, and it’s why it’s one of our favourite used cars.

It isn’t perfect. The interior is a bit cheap in places, with some scratchy-feeling materials here and there, and the central screen in the dashboard can be a bit fiddly to use. But the dashboard design is at least attractive, and the bits you normally touch – the indicator stalks, gear lever, and so on – are finished in higher-quality plastics that feel good to use. 

The Vitara’s enjoyable to drive. It’s comfortable and feels agile, so it’s fun to zip around roundabouts and bends. Best of all, though, it offers a lot of space inside for its size; there’s a good-sized boot and lots of room in both front and rear seats. 

Read our Suzuki Vitara review

If you want a small car that's fun to drive and feels like a real premium product, look no further than the Mini Hatch. It looks like no other car on sale and there are so many different colour combinations that barely any two are alike.

The interior is just as distinctive and although it's compact there's space for four adults and a couple of bags of luggage, with a bit more of both (and easier access) with the five-door model.

What makes the Mini really special is the way it drives. It's more fun than a small hatchback has any right to be, with lively performance and great handling. All versions are well equipped, and you can find used Minis with all kinds of high-tech and luxury features that give it a big-car feel despite its diminutive size. 

Read our Mini Hatch review

The Mondeo is one of the best used car bargains we can think of, giving you executive car space, equipment and driving appeal for the cost of some much smaller hatchbacks.

It's a big car that provides a huge amount of headroom and legroom of space for passengers, while the boot has ample space for a pair of large dogs, items of furniture or simply the luggage for a family holiday.

But the Mondeo’s charms don’t end there. This is a lovely car to drive; surprisingly so, if you’re imagining its size will make it feel ungainly. Responsive handling means it never feels as big or as bulky as it is and it rides the bumps with the sort of smoothness you’d expect from a luxury car. 

Best of all, the Mondeo is excellent value – you get so much car for your money that it’s hard not to be tempted.

Read our Ford Mondeo review

If you’re after a sensible small car, the Hyundai i20 is about as sensible as they come. It may not be quite as much fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta, but it’s just as comfortable, and tends to come better equipped, so you get more gadgets for your cash.

The i20’s biggest trump card, though, is that like all Hyundais, it comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty, which means if you buy one used, you’ll get whatever’s left of that. Few of its rivals can offer quite the same sort of peace of mind.

The i20 feels solidly built inside and there’s plenty of space for its occupants and their odds and ends, as well as a good-sized boot. 

Read our Hyundai i20 review

The Skoda Yeti is a practical family car with character. Its quirky styling means it looks like nothing else on the road, but this isn’t a case of form without function. The boxy roofline makes the boot and rear seats immensely spacious, while the raised ride height means it’s easy to see out, easy to climb in and easy to strap the kids in.

But the Yeti’s piece de resistance is its clever rear seats. All three of them fold and tumble forward individually, leaving a flat load area, while the outer two can slide forward to increase boot space while still allowing passengers to use them. 

The Yeti rides a little stiffly, but not so much that you won’t get used to it. The payoff is that despite that tall body, it feels safe and secure in corners and doesn’t lean over like some high-sided cars do. 

Read our Skoda Yeti review

The Vauxhall Astra is the family car of choice for thousands of British motorists – and if you’re feeling patriotic, you’ll be pleased to hear it’s built right here in the UK.

It represents great value on the used market because it’s less expensive to buy than most other family cars. Of course, inexpensive doesn’t always mean good value, but the Astra is a very satisfying car to drive and own; there’s enough space for the family, a decent-sized boot, and it feels safe and sturdy out on the road. 

We especially like it when it’s fitted with one of the excellent turbo petrol engines, diesel models are worth considering too, as they offer excellent fuel economy combined with punchy performance. 

Read our Vauxhall Astra review

There are lots of high-quality used cars for less than £10,000 for sale at Cazoo. Use our search function to find one you love, buy it online and then have it delivered to your door or choose to collect it from your nearest Cazoo Customer Centre.

We're constantly updating and adding to our stock. If you can't find one within your budget today, check back soon to see what's available or set up a stock alert to be the first to know when we have any cars that match your needs.