Best used cars under £5,000 in the UK

The default sensible first car — just avoid neglected 1.0 EcoBoosts.

Cheap to run and insure, but pre-2019 Corsa E has known engine niggles.

Solid, well-built, holds value — pick the right engine and it's a 200k-mile car.

Great to drive, cheap to run — but same 1.0 EcoBoost warnings as the Fiesta.

Cheap and comfortable — but the 1.6 CDTi diesel needs DPF care.

Family-friendly and popular — but the 1.5 dCi and CVT have known issues.

Arguably the most reliable used supermini in Britain — buy with confidence.

Boring reputation, brilliant reality — a 200k-mile car if serviced.

The smart first-car choice if you value warranty peace of mind.

The 7-year warranty is a genuine used-buyer superpower.

Brilliant to drive — but running costs bite if you don't buy carefully.

Feels a class above the Golf inside — same VW group faults to watch.

Fun to drive but running costs match a BMW — because it is one.

Stylish and cheap to buy — check the 1.2 PureTech carefully.

One of the cheapest cars in Britain to run — check the clutch and the rust.

Mechanically a Toyota, priced like a Citroen — the bargain of the city-car class.

Charming and cheap to insure, but the Dualogic gearbox and TwinAir engine can bite.

Great value and comfortable — as long as you avoid the EDC auto and check the electrics.

Sensible, roomy and genuinely reliable — the smart money buy in this class.

Enormous boot, cheap to run, reliable — just buy one with a full service history.

A Polo in a better suit for less money — same engines, same things to check.

Golf underneath, cheaper on the forecourt — check DSG and service history.

The grown-up first car — solid, safe, and easy to sell on.

Brilliant motorway car, but most are ex-fleet with big miles — buy on history, not price.

Good to drive for an SUV, but diesel DPFs and PHEV battery recalls need checking.

Cheap to buy and popular, but the CVT auto and turbo failures spoil the party.

Seven-year warranty cars are the sweet spot — buy one with the balance still running.

An unexciting, dependable first car that will not surprise you with bills.

Superb engineering and a huge boot — the 1.6 diesel is the economy pick.

Lovely to drive and free of turbo complication — just watch for rust on older cars.

Great to drive with premium badge appeal — budget properly for servicing, not just the purchase.

A Polo in a nicer suit — good buy on the 1.0 TFSI, riskier on early 1.2 TSI cars.

Basic but honest — low running costs and simple mechanics mean cheap repairs.

Underrated and reliable — check for rust on older cars and you will do well.

Cheap and easy to drive, but the K13 generation feels built to a price.

Popular and cheap to buy, but the older 1.4 turbo and diesel DPF need checking.

Stylish and comfortable, but the 1.2 PureTech engine needs careful checking before you commit.

Brilliant cheap electric runabout — as long as the battery still holds charge. Check the bars before anything else.

A likeable small SUV at a fair price — but the 1.2 TCe petrol and EDC auto both need careful checking.