Here is the 2024 USED CAR Buyer’s Guide
Buying a used car can save you lots of cash compared to buying brand new. Whether you’re after a cheap run around or a dream machine you’ve lots of choice on the second-hand market.
Buying a used car can be a daunting prospect but it doesn’t have to be. You can pick a car up for a few hundred quid but unless you’re a competent mechanic buying something more than 10 years old is just asking for trouble. A service history is essential and fewer owners the better!
Here are 9 Used Cars we recommend!
Peugeot 108
The 108 is a stylish French fancy from Peugeot offering plenty of charm, unfortunately along with the C1 this model was discontinued in 2021. Having said that it still makes a fantastic first car, crammed full of everything a new driver needs at a reasonable price.
Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is a fantastic handling supermini, with its superb looks and enough tech to keep the tech-savvy out there very happy. What more can you want? It’s a super popular model in Northern Ireland which means more choice, models start from 1.0 litre.
Ford Ka
Often overshadowed by its older sibling the Fiesta, the Ka is a great buy. Even though Ford has stopped making them there are still plenty around that can be picked up at bargain prices.
Volkswagen Polo
VW are famed for their reliability, so the Polo makes a lot of sense, there are plenty of trim levels and engine sizes available on the market. Stick to the Petrol models because after the VW scandal Diesel Volkswagen’s are best to avoid for now.
Citroen C1
Cars don’t come much cuter than the C1 but they are also affordable and fun to drive. As a great city car, there are lots of models around with low miles to choose from. The C1 was discontinued in 2021 along with the Peugeot 108, so there should be lots of bargains out there.
Renault Clio
A used Renault Clio is a great place to start and stop in your search for an affordable, first time buyers car. With a new model hitting the market in 2023 you are guaranteed to snap up a bargain in the used market with plenty of options to choose from.
Fiat 500
The current Fiat 500 hasn’t changed much over the past 10 years so it still looks great. Finding one in good condition is fairly easy as most previous owners tend to be women so they are generally well looked after. The most popular model is the 1.2 litre petrol Pop so expect plenty of used models to pop up for sale.
Toyota Yaris
With what was once considered a daring design, the Toyota Yaris continues to be a favourite amongst new drivers. They come in 1.0 litre, and 1.33 litre and also offer a self-charging hybrid that should hopefully be on the used car market in the next year or two. It’s a solid, reliable car with plenty to choose from.
Always bring someone with car knowledge with you when buying a car to make sure you are getting the right price and everything is in working order.
It’s also a good idea to check the price of insurance for the year and model of the car you are looking at before you buy.
Want more advice?
See our guide on tips for buying a car and cutting your insurance costs.
