Best cars to buy used under 5000

Buying a used car for less than £5,000 is often considered the most cost-effective way of getting on the road. The cars available are young enough not to be worn out, and may even have had a lot of maintenance done already, but the depreciation has done the worst it can.

At this price the choice of cars is remarkable. If you just want a used car for commuting, or perhaps you’re buying your first car, there are lots of sensible options that will be reliable for a few years. On the other hand, if you fancy a bit of flash without spending the cash, there’s a plethora of older luxury cars – for a fraction of their new price. Those will cost more money to run in the long term, but still tens of thousands less than new equivalents.

All of these cars cost less than the deposit on a typical PCP finance deal for a new or nearly-new car. You could even maintain the more demanding ones for less than typical monthly payments, without a long-term commitment. Have a look through our used cars for sale and see what’s available near you.

So if you’re after a family car, something that’s perfect for your first car or need a little more luxury, we have you covered. As always, the advice is shop around, do your research, get a car history check, and dig into the car’s previous MoT results – make sure it’s been looked after properly to take out the unknowns in choosing your next used car.

Best used cars for less than £5,000:

  • Skoda Citigo
  • Suzuki Swift
  • Ford Focus
  • Volkswagen Golf
  • Dacia Duster
  • Honda Accord
  • Skoda Yeti
  • Vauxhall Insignia
  • Jaguar XF
  • Porsche Cayenne

1. Skoda Citigo

Best cars to buy used under 5000

The Skoda Citigo and its SEAT Mii and Volkswagen Up! sister cars really are the perfect motors for city dwellers, or those who need a cheap-to-run first car. Fuel economy is excellent – you’re doing something wrong if you’re getting less than 50mpg, while the running costs are low thanks to there being plenty of independent specialists who support Volkswagen Group cars like this one.

Reliability is so far proving excellent, and a quick look at our owners reviews will reveal that drivers really rate these cars. It’s been off-sale since 2019 in the UK, but thanks to pleasing styling, it’s a timeless choice that should serve you well. With used examples available for less than £1,500, your £5,000 budget will get you a well-trimmed SE L version from around 2017. We’d recommend the 75hp version over the 60hp model – it’s faster but no less ecnomical.

  • Search for used Skoda Citigos on Parkers
  • Read Skoda Citigo owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Skoda Citigo used car values on Parkers

2. Suzuki Swift

Best cars to buy used under 5000

Any regular Parkers reader will know how much we rate the Suzuki Swift. It’s well-built, super-reliable and good fun to drive, and although it’s not the roomiest small car out there, it’s perfectly suited to small families who travel light. Performance is excellent in all the petrol versions, and 45mpg is possible without trying too hard. The diesel will make closer to 65mpg, if you’re after the best possible economy.

Swifts are extremely highly rated by their owners, and most end up plumping for another when moving on. Your £5,000 budget should stretch to a 1.2-litre 2017 SZ3 with sat-nav with its best years ahead of it. We’d always prefer the petrol version, as the diesel is noisy, unrefined and not that great to drive – buy only if economy is your number priority.

  • Search for used Suzuki Swifts on Parkers
  • Read Suzuki Swift owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Suzuki Swift used car values on Parkers

3. Ford Focus

Best cars to buy used under 5000

We like the Ford Focus Mk3 a lot, and apparently so do you – it was consistently Britain’s bestselling family car throughout its life. There are lots of versions to choose from and you can’t go wrong whether you go petrol or diesel. Like all Fords from this era, the Focus is good to drive with sharp steering and tight handling, and great economy, espcially in the 1.6-litre diesel and 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol versions.

Your £5,000 budget should buy you a nice low-mileage 1.0-litre 2015 EcoBoost version in the most desirable Zetec trim level. By that point, the early reliability issues with the EcoBoost engine were sorted, but do make sure you go for the best example you can find. The 1.6-litre diesel version is well worth considering too, especially if you drive longer distances on a regular basis.

  • Search for used Ford Focus on Parkers
  • Read Ford Focus owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Ford Focus used car values on Parkers

4. Volkswagen Golf

Best cars to buy used under 5000

If you don’t want a Ford Focus and would prefer a VW roundel on the nose of your next car, you’re not alone. Despite stronger prices, the Golf Mk7 is consistently one of the most popular used cars on the market. There are lots of models to choose from – from low-powered petrols, via super-economical Blue Motion models, to the eternally popular GTI hot hatch, there’s one for you.

Despite a reputation for quality and reliability, the Golf has been plagued with issues, especially as they enter middle age. With that in mind, check service history closely, and try to plump for a manual model over a DSG automatic. Our pick of the range would be a 2.0 TDI in GT form, as it’s likely to be the most reliable choice, and still good to drive. £5,000 will get you a very nice 2013 example.

  • Search for used Volkswagen Golfs on Parkers
  • Read Volkswagen Golf owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Volkswagen Golf used car values on Parkers

5. Dacia Duster

Best cars to buy used under 5000

Bargain new prices really set the Dacia brand apart from all of the competition, but bargains are relative. With high interest rates and cost of living to consider, a used Dacia is a real bargain. Canny buyers are switching on to the Duster as a low-cost, nearly new SUV that fits most situations. We rate the Duster, and would recommend one to anyone looking for a rugged car that will shrug off all that family life throws at it.

For your £5,000, you should find a 2016 Ambiance model powered by Renault’s excellent 1.5-litre dCi engine. This will deliver good economy, reliabilty and pulling power – you could get an even new Access model, but that car’s lack of basic equipment makes it best left to those who aren’t too bothered about basic creature comforts. Overall, an excellent, honest vahicle for your money.

  • Search for used Dacia Dusters on Parkers
  • Read Dacia Duster owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Dacia Duster used car values on Parkers

6. Honda Accord

Best cars to buy used under 5000

If you’re in the market for a large family car and don’t fancy making a statement with one of the premium manufacturer’s models, the Accord is definitely your next best bet. It’s a good-looking thing that’s available in saloon or estate form, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines – with the punchy 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel and the 201hp 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol being the particular highlights.

Reliability and equipment are a given, and owners generally rate it highy. For a car that’s been off-sale since 2015, not replaced, and seemingly an unfashionable saloon bodystye, the Accord’s resale values aren’t bad – reflecting  its quality and reliability. Your £5,000 will get you into a 2013 2.2 i-DTEC in entry-level ES trim. Not that it’s particularly base level in terms of equipment.

  • Search for used Honda Accords on Parkers
  • Read Honda Accord owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Honda Accord used car values on Parkers

7. Skoda Yeti

Best cars to buy used under 5000

The Skoda Yeti was the perfect family SUV long before they became as popular as they are today, and that might explain why they are so popular now. It’s been off-sale now for some time, which means that getting a good example for not much money is possible – with the cheapest examples now dipping well below £3,000.

Based on simple Volkswagen technology, they’re proving cheap and reliable to run and finding their way into lots of families – which is why we’re big fans of Skoda’s first SUV. Your £5,000 will buy you a 2014 Elegance powered by the excellent 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, which is reasonably punchy and capable of returning near-diesel fuel economy.

  • Search for used Skoda Yetis on Parkers
  • Read Skoda Yeti owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Skoda Yeti used car values on Parkers

8. Vauxhall Insignia

Best cars to buy used under 5000

The Vauxhall Insignia was designed first and foremost as a business tool – which means that when you’re looking to buy one, you can be sure it’s been honed to work well on motorways and provide reliable service. These work better as diesels  than petrols, which means you should take a look the 2.0 SRI in 163hp form for the best all round mix of performance and economy.

Insignias are great value secondhand, and your £5,000 will easily get you into a 2015 2.0 CDTi EcoFlex SRI in VX-Line form, which gives you a great suite of equipment for your money. Owners report good fuel consumption and motorway performance, but there are one or two reliability niggles that spoil an otherwise good record – so make sure you get one that’s fully documented all the way from new.

  • Search for used Vauxhall Insignias on Parkers
  • Read Vauxhall Insignia owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Vauxhall Insignia used car values on Parkers

9. Jaguar XF 

Best cars to buy used under 5000

There’s a reputation for unreliability attached to the Jaguar name these days, which could be eroding confidence in cars such as the 2008 XF. But just to put your mind at rest, the first-generation XF is a solid, reliable and well-sorted car powered by a range of strong and reliable petrol engines. That’s why petrol XFs cost more than diesel, why they’re more sought after, and why we’d recommend one.

If you’re looking for an XF, the 3.0-litre V6 petrol is a great all-rounder and surprisingly economical when driven sensibly. That might be difficult, though, as it’s so good to drive with a well-damped ride quality and fantastic (for such a large car) handling and steering. A great alternative to a BMW that’s generally cheaper – your £5,000 gets you a 2011 XF V6 in Luxury form…

  • Search for used Jaguar XFs on Parkers
  • Read Jaguar XF owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Jaguar XF used car values on Parkers

10. Porsche Cayenne 

Best cars to buy used under 5000

You might think that buying a Porsche Cayenne that’s pushing 15-years old might be a risk, but as long as you’re careful in your car selection, then it’s a trustworthy choice. Avoid cars with patchy or no service history and try to buy from an enthusiast owner, and you’ll be in a decent position.

You get a lot of car for your money – £5,000 gets you a 2007-2008 3.2-liitre V6, and for that you get a full-sized SUV, strong performance, reliable running gear, and the in-built kudos of owning a Porsche. There is good specialist support out there, too, so running one shouldn’t throw any insurmountable problems for you. So, it’s a relatively safe place to put your money. Save the few hundred a month you’d pay on a PCP in an ISA, and you’ll have a backup plan if problems show up, and if they don’t – you’ve discovered the art of cheap, luxury motoring over monthly payments.

  • Search for used Porsche Cayennes on Parkers
  • Read Porsche Cayenne owners’ reviews on Parkers
  • Check out the latest Porsche Cayenne used car values on Parkers

* Prices based on examples found on Parkers Cars for Sale and limited to availability. Similar examples may be on offer.

Parkers Top Buying Tips

Don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.

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