Best used cars for under £30,000
Have a budget of £30,000 ready to spend on a new car? Get a whole lot more for your money with some of these excellent used car deals
These days, an average family car with a few upgrades will cost you in the region of £30,000, so you'd be forgiven for thinking that you're out of luck when it comes to finding something a bit different for that figure.
That's not the case, though, because there are plenty of the latest-generation models around for a lot less than this, including hybrids, SUVs, and sports cars. Similar cars, if bought brand new, will cost considerably more than their second-hand counterparts, so there really is logic behind the idea of going used.
We've picked out some stand-out models including a hot hatch and some top-spec models with all the kit, but if you're willing to go without some of these things, you could get even newer versions of all of the cars below.
1. Audi A5
Our pick Audi A5 Coupe 2.0 '40' TFSI S Line S tronic
Used deals from £14,990
Monthly finance from £313.05*
With rivals such as the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class coupes to contend with, the Audi A5 must be good – and it is.
Rather than focusing on one aspect in particular, the A5 is a great all-rounder. It's stylish, surprisingly practical, fun to drive, classy and comfortable, as well as being brilliantly well-made and powered by a range of excellent engines.
It faces tough competition from the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Mercedes C-Class Coupe, but in most cases it is usually a fair chunk cheaper like-for-like, allowing you some wiggle room to go for a higher trim level or more powerful engine. It's available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes, and can even be had with four-wheel drive.
With its low sloping roof, you wouldn't expect the A5 to offer acres of headroom in the back, and it doesn't, but two adults should be able to cope in the back just fine. The boot isn't quite as big as the one in the BMW 4 Series but it is well-shaped and easy to load. Add the convenience of split-folding rear seats and you’ve got the makings of a very practical sports coupe.
2. Volvo XC60
Our pick Volvo XC60 2.0 B4 D R-Design
Used deals Limited stock
The XC60 has everything Volvo fans look for in the brand, starting with that very cool Swedish style. Like the XC40 and XC90, the XC60 interior has the sort of contemporary, minimalist appeal that design enthusiasts will love. Minimalist doesn’t mean spartan though, as even the entry-level Momentum trim is equipped with all the comfort features a typical owner could need.
The XC60 isn’t a sporting machine, so if that’s what you’re looking for then check out our deals on the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. However if you appreciate a comfortable, relaxing drive with an upmarket, luxurious and airy feel, then the XC60 should be right up your street.
There's a pair of plug-in hybrids badged T6 and T8 (with prices starting from £9,495 on BuyaCar), but we'd suggest sticking with a diesel-powered version which should prove reasonably economical. The D4 is a good pick and there's really no need to go for the more powerful D5, but we would spend the extra cash on a mild hybrid B4 D if you can find one in budget.
3. BMW 5 Series
Our pick BMW 520d M Sport automatic
Used deals from £10,999
Monthly finance from £335.43*
The BMW 5 Series has ruled the executive saloon class for decades. It’s the benchmark thanks to its rear-wheel drive chassis that makes it fun around corners, while refined and powerful engines, excellent interior layout and top-notch build quality lift it high above the competition.
The interior is roomy even in the rear where there’s plenty of leg and headroom. It’s just a pity there’s a bulky transmission tunnel that forces anyone in the centre seat to place their feet on either side.
In terms of engines, the 2.0-litre 520d diesel is our pick. It’s powerful enough not to warrant the 3.0-litre 530d, and the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox makes it relaxing to drive. All models get leather seats, climate control, sat-nav, and rear parking sensors, but because the better-equipped M Sport models sold so well, there are plenty of these to choose from at decently low prices.
4. Ford Mustang
Our pick Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 GT Convertible
Used deals from £24,990
Monthly finance from £589.18*
The majority of the cars on this list are classy and understated affairs from European car makers. The Mustang isn’t. It's unapologetically American, especially in 5.0-litre V8 form.
This generation of the Mustang was the first to be officially sold in Britain with its steering wheel on the correct side. Both coupe and convertible versions are on offer, and there are two different engines to choose from too - you ought to have the choice of the lot with a budget of £30,000 budget.
The 2.3-litre engine is fast enough and should manage just over 30mpg. But if you want an American muscle car with a soundtrack to match, go for the 5.0-litre V8. Better still, opt for the convertible and turn up the active exhaust for the full experience.
5. BMW X2
Our pick BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport automatic
Used deals from £14,805
Monthly finance from £234.79*
If you’re looking for a compact SUV with a contemporary and upmarket feel, the BMW X2 is an appealing choice that stands out from the crowd. It’s a bit different from most other SUV-type cars of this size, largely because it sits lower to the ground and has a more sporty feel than rivals which play up to the tough ‘off-roader’ image - even though most aren’t equipped for real off-roading at all.
Under the skin the X2 is identical to the more boxy and practical X1 SUV, which means it also shares engines and other mechanical bits with the Mini Countryman. It's a little less practical thanks to its sloped roofline, but it's a perfect choice for small families.
With drivers turning away from diesel power, and the X2 likely spending most of its time around town, we'd go for a petrol model like the 18i or 20i. The plug-in hybrids are worth considering; they're a little expensive with prices starting at £13,000 on BuyaCar, but they do open the door to substantially lower motoring costs.
6. Ford Kuga PHEV
Our pick Ford Kuga 2.5 PHEV ST-Line X Edition
Used deals from £11,250
Monthly finance from £264.48*
The Ford Kuga is a popular and likeable SUV, especially if your budget runs to the latest third-generation version launched in 2019. You'd have to fork out more than £30,000 for an entry-level Ford Kuga Zetec with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and around £38,000 for the cheapest plug-in hybrid model.
It's pretty powerful, with 225hp on tap, and even though it uses a CVT gearbox which is renowned for being best suited to gentle driving, it still feels fun to drive. Because it's only available in higher-spec trims including ST-Line variants, you'll get lots of kit like a powered tailgate, a digital driver's display, all-round parking sensors, a reversing camera, and keyless entry.
The 2.5-litre petrol engine used in the hybrid models is quite big compared with other hybrids, but the PHEV should be able to do around 30 miles on electric power from a full charge, and Ford reckons you could get as much as 250mpg if you charge it as intended. Fail to charge it and you'll get a figure more similar to the self-charging hybrid's claimed 50mpg.
7. Mercedes-AMG A35
Our pick Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic
Used deals Limited stock
The A-Class remains a popular family car and often makes it into the top 10 best selling cars in the UK. Most buyers go for something tame like the A180, but Mercedes also makes some of the best hot hatches and performance cars around, too, including the A35.
It has more than 300hp, so it's good for 0-62mph in under five seconds, but drive it carefully and you could get more than 30mpg. It's so good that there's little need to upgrade to the 421hp A45 model, which is only around one second quicker to 62mph. Both models get four-wheel drive for added grip, weather you wish to use it for straight-line acceleration or extra security in the winter months.
It does face stiff competition from the Audi RS3, though, which sits somewhere in the middle of the two with 400hp, but is substantially quicker than the A35. The Mercedes and the Audi are available in hatchback and four-door saloon forms, but this doesn't detract from the performance.
8. Jaguar F-Pace
Our pick Jaguar F-Pace 3.0d V6 S
Used deals from £20,000
Monthly finance from £412.68*
The F-Pace is a direct rival to the Volvo XC60 above, and like that, you'll be looking at one of the earlier models for this price point, which won't be quite as lavishly finished as the updated version that landed in 2021.
While all XC60 models come with some form of a 2.0-litre engine, the F-Pace can be bought with a 3.0-litre engine, or even a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 in the form of the expensive SVR model. We've picked the 3.0-litre diesel for its blend of efficiency and performance.
Under its swoopy skin, the F-Pace has a lot of shared engineering with the fine-handling Jaguar XE and XF models, which helps to account for its impressive driving qualities.
9. Peugeot 3008 PHEV
Our pick Peugeot 3008 SUV 1.6 PHEV 225 GT Line
Used deals from £6,795
Monthly finance from £195.40*
The Peugeot 3008 is a popular pick among buyers who favour the high-up driving position of a crossover, but it goes up against other big sellers like the Nissan Qashqai, so it needs to stand out.
Fortunately, all of its engines do just that. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrols are nippy and especially efficient, as is the 1.5-litre diesel which could see 60mpg on a long trip. Unlike some of its rivals, though, it comes with a pair of plug-in hybrids with either 225hp or 300hp.
All the PHEV trim levels are generous, as you can't get a low-end 3008 with plug-in tech, so any used models should prove an appealing option for drivers looking for a car that can run on electricity alone when charged up. It's worth seeking an updated 2021 model if you can, though, with its fresh design and updated kit list.
10. Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake
Our pick Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TSI R-Line DSG
Used deals from £15,999
Monthly finance from £239.84*
The appeal of the Arteon isn't huge, because most private buyers tend not to go for saloon-shaped cars as they did in previous years. If that shape does appeal, though, the Arteon is arguably one of the best looking of its kind. It also gets a more practical and usable hatchback boot, which cars like the BMW 3 Series don't get.
The entry-level Elegance trim features goodies like keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, as well as a reversing camera, heated seats and voice controls for the media system. Sporty R-Line trim suits this car's sporty looks better, though, with 19-inch alloy wheels, sporty styling details, a panoramic glass roof and darkened rear glass.
VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON BUYERS' GUIDE
*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta:
48 monthly payments of £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage limit: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%
BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.