The best used cars from £550

But we still need to get around - and an inexpensive yet dependable car is key to that. Here's our round-up of some the best:

Example pricing is as per our survey of cars on the market in early October 2023

More of the same Focus excellence but in a less-striking body, which probably doesn’t matter. Arguably one of the very best used cars available today in terms of ability and value, and £1450 will get you into a decent enough 78k miles 2007 1.6-litre petrol. You might want to save up for a revamped model from 2008, when Ford went down the ultra-green 70mpg-plus Econetic route.

However, the truth is that a simple unstressed petrol engine is the best way forward when it comes to keeping maintenance costs containable. These cars are roomy inside rather than having anything really clever seats-wise, but we also buy them because they’re fun to drive. Mostly, though, the Focus remains straightforward to fix and easy to live with.

There are no really serious issues, just wear and tear to suspension and brakes. Many get scrapped because of a dead ECU. Even so, our advice is to buy one.

An MPV apparently designed by a committee but which is massively underrated. Three-abreast front and rear seating is clever and completely family-friendly. Indeed, that stumpy supermini footprint is useful when it comes to parking, even if it is wider than a 747. Actually, that means the boot is wide rather than deep but still offers up to 430 litres, or fold the rear seats and you get a Doblo van-like 1900 litres.

Making it look more dull in 2004 was a mistake and killed some of the weirdo appeal, but those early ones are now hard to find. We spotted a 2007 106k miler for £1985 - but it's a diesel so be careful of ULEZ issues.

Spec is decent, too. The 1.6 is okay but can get overworked and blow head gaskets. Downsides are possible a rotten exhaust, corroding bodywork and failing electrics, such as the windows and remote locking.

A handsome motorway milemuncher with built-in reliability. TS2 spec delivers essential comfort features. Get a 2009 2.0 petrol or diesel; watch for leaky air-con.

Surprising number of survivors around, and a 1991 1.6L is £2000. An ironic classic that is catching on as a cheap way into something basic and interesting but reliable.

A lot come from caring private owners, and the standard spec is good. You will get a 2010 1.6 with 134k-plus miles for £1650. Check power steering pumps and low-level rust.

Lots around, but you do need to be careful. A properly specced early example with at least a Chili Pack is only going to make money. A 2007 102k miler for £1500 looks a steal.

These are solid little things and well appointed inside, and a 2007 1.4 petrol Dynamique with 87k miles for £10000 should prove economical and reliable. Electrical issues might include windows and locks.

Prestige badges on small affordable cars help to keep values solid. A tidy 2009 1.4 with just 36k miles for £2500 seems a cracking deal. It has charm and has proven to be reliable.

Previous Princess Diana 80-based cabrio was seemingly around forever, but this brand-new four-seater from 2001 was properly modern, and it’s still comfortable and relevant today.

Finding a quality multi-seater open-top has never been more challenging, which is why these hold their money. You can buy a 2005 with the decent entry-level 1.8T engine at around £1200. Other engine options include petrol V6 and a 38mpg 2.5 TDI, but for those be careful about both VED and ULEZ.

Quattro all-wheel drive system could be optioned too. On top is a high-quality three-layer roof with a glass rear window, and it all packs away out of sight. Opens in 24 seconds at the press of a button. There was an optional hard-top too. Look out for failing ignition coils and water pumps; the auto ’box can be unreliable.

An adorable brick. Has a 1300-litre boot with the seats folded. A 2006 2.4 petrol auto 149k miler for £1000 looks interesting. Automatic gearboxes can play up, though.

Egg-shaped big hatch comes with proper seats for five and space for their luggage. A 2002 1.6 SX petrol with 96k miles for £900 looks a good deal, but watch for rust, oil leaks and general tattiness.

Forgotten Far East coupé still looks good, and reasonable-looking ones are out there from £1500. Rust, worn brakes and suspension damage are downsides. 

The acceptable X model is now very affordable as you can get a 2008 2.5L facelift with 95k miles for £1600. Rear seats don’t fold flat, though, and automatic gearboxes can fail - but if it was good enough for QE2, it will be good enough for you.

Here is the original one, built between 1994 and 2000. This funky threedoor was in effect a fun alternative to the uninsurable hot hatch of the day but in a perky, compact SUV package. Could have been badged Toyota Bitza, being Corolla-based with Carina/Camry driveline parts and Celica GT-Four running gear. Perfect on road, so not a hardcore off-roader (get a Land Cruiser for that).

This was the SUV future for a while. The RAV4 grew up a bit with the arrival of the five-door GX in 1995, there was a passenger airbag from 1996 and the quite well-equipped VX with air-conditioning in 1997.

All that and a mild facelift for 1998. It’s possible to pick up fairly tidy examples of the early three-door, which are comfortably below £2000 for a 1997 GX. Few issues with the excellent 2.0-litre engine other than cumulative multi-owner servicing neglect.

Essentially a Golf with a weird name, but right now they are great value. Even has a sliding glass roof. Get a 2007 2.0 petrol with 76k miles for £1875; lots of ECUs to go on the blink though.

Seemingly around forever, the Vectra's unfashionability is your advantage as there are bargains to be had - how about a 2008 98k miler 1.8 petrol for £995? Compared with the previous model, the later Vectras are certainly better to drive and the interior is better resolved, so there’s a bit more room.

Most buyers would go for the pretty frugal diesels (but be ULEZ aware), but there was also a supersporty V6 and even factory LPG-fuelled examples, if you can find them. 

These are good old-fashioned family transport that make so much sense as a well-equipped mile muncher. Ex-company cars can be worn out with noisy, oily engines and shot suspension; diesels inevitably have blocked EGR valves, fuel injector failure and, worst of all, snapped timing chains. Best not to get a worn out one, then.

An ideal small car that is decent to drive and surprisingly spacious. A 1.0 engine has 60mpg-plus economy. Get a 2007 99k miler for £1000, but watch out for dodgy water pumps and leaks into the cabin.

An obvious enough choice, but incredibly there are still Mk1, 1.6-litre, early- to mid-’90s pop-upheadlight examples that haven’t yet rusted to bits. It’s an icon. How about a 2002 Mk2 with 77k miles for £1400?

SUV-like family hatch and rather excellent. Get an early ’08 1.6 petrol with 130k miles for £1500. Lots to choose from, but beware blocked DPFs on diesels, worn clutches and water leaks inside.

Looks super-cool but not exactly super-spacious, yet this compact estate still has a useful 419-litre boot, rising to 1273 litres with the rear seats folded. They don’t lie completely flat but do split and fold, plus there’s a ski hatch, underfloor storage and 12V power outlets. How about a 2007 2.0-litre 105k miler for £1895?

Practical enough for most families. Lots of engines to choose from and considerable spec combinations. Go for a simple 2.0 petrol or more frugal, high-40s 2.2 diesel from 2006 at this money.

Spares can still be found, so a safe buy. Not big numbers to pick from, but be fussy. Electrics are a weak spot, especially windows, remote locking and air-con. Failed engine ECU causes rough running. Certainly worth buying.

An alternative reality compact van. The sliding and reclining rear seats are removable, too. A 1.4 petrol will do in a 2007 with 130k miles for £1990. Sunroofs and power steering can leak.

A pint-sized estate that takes more shopping than the hatch. A 2006 1.4 73k miles Verve for £1500 seems a good deal, but worn ball joints and engine mounts can cause issues.

Safe and tuned for comfort, these are distinctive and easy to look after, plus you can get a 2007 2.0 petrol auto with 74k miles for just £1000. Coil packs and flywheel sensors might stop it working.

The funky version of the Rover 75 has added plastic and initially a 2.5 litre V6 with either 160bhp or 180bhp. BMW 2.0 diesel version was pretty good and can be teased up to 48mpg. Plus there was a handful of V8s (a Ford Mustang engine), but that is outside our bargain remit. A 2004 V6 example with just 59k miles for £2500 looks interesting.

Future classic buyers are after something practical, distinctive, affordable and historically significant. Bingo. Check for rust on the sills, wheel arches and underneath the suspension. Failed head gaskets and diesel pumps cause grief.

At the bottom of their value curve, so you can pick up a 2005 convertible 2.0 with 103k miles for just £950. A less practical Golf, but charming. Some have rust and minor electrical issues.

Its image softened over the years, but this one still had the spare wheel on the tailgate like a ‘proper’ 4x4 should. This is the British-built one, so it’s well screwed together, which is great long-term news. These are also bought by middle-class people obsessed with service intervals, so it's vital to find a looked-after example - so how about a 2004 example with 175k miles on the clock - but with a FSH? Yours for £1195.

No problems, just wear and tear. Continually upgraded with a significant facelift in 2003, adding suspension tweaks making it even better on the road. Cause for celebration for some was the arrival of a diesel, which is good, but the 2.0-litre VTEC petrol is an exceptional engine and, combined with Executive specification, is all us soft-roaders need.

Split rear seats fold and tumble, and if you’re really lucky you’ll find one with the factory-option boot-mounted shower attachment.

Luxury cars can cause trouble, but this is a Lexus. How about a 1997 with 72k miles and the 3.0 engine for £1990, but when parts are needed they’re going to be pricey.

Hurry while stocks last. There are still a surprisingly large number of survivors at the entry level of Bangerdom-  how about a 2008 1.3-litre with 70k miles for £700? Certainly the Ka remains a legendary little thing that drives like a demon but isn’t fast enough to be truly dangerous, thanks to its ancient iron engine.

The 1.3 delivers over 40mpg, and being so old, it can be relied on to be reliable. A comfy enough four-seater, but fold the rear seats and there’s an astounding 724 litres back there. 

All Kas are easy to live with and cheap to fix if a bit tight under the bonnet. Rust remains a killer; over-work and under-servicing means worn-out consumables. Plastic bumpers fade to grey, making it more lovable.

An example of what Fiat did best – small, light cars – but here with a four-wheel-drive twist. A 2007 107k mile 4x4 is £2000 and represents all the SUV most of us will ever need.

How about a 2008 110k miler 1.6 HDi with FSH for £1495? It’s certainly worth taking a chance on. Hugely comfy ride, most things as standard, great diesels.

Quite old now but still rather charming. Efficient, too, if you buy a 2004 1.4 with just 73k miles for £1190. The biggest issue is blown head gaskets. Otherwise, it is just wear and tear.

Satisfied owners don’t give these up easily. Legendary ability to last, but you can get a very tidy 1998 1.3 three-door 102k miler for £995 - that will see you through many more Christmases to come.