Best used cars under £20,000
Take a look at the best used cars under £20,000 that you can buy or finance
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If you're searching for the best car under £20k, you'll be pleased to know you're not short on options.
Cars under £20k never have to feel basic - that's a great budget for a practical SUV, smart small car, or even an efficient electric vehicle.
There are also some premium picks if you're looking for the best luxury car under £20k.
We've put together a list of exciting examples that might match your needs if you're looking for the best car under £20k.
You can also take a look at our full range of cars under £20k for more options.
Best used cars under £20k
Audi A3
Skoda Superb
Renault Kadjar
Peugeot 5008
Volkswagen Golf
Vauxhall Corsa
BMW i3
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Audi A3
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Best luxury car under £20k UK
Official MPG: 50.4mpg (Sport 30 TFSI)
Boot size: 380 litres (Sportback)
Insurance group: 14 - 29
Sitting at the top of the picks for small premium hatchbacks, the Audi A3 is a superb choice for any type of person.
Whether you have a growing family or are a single working professional, the used Audi A3 can do it all thanks to its spacious interior and reliable engine options.
There are a few different A3 trim levels to pick from, including the top-of-the-range Black Edition trim and entry-level Technik trim – both of which are kitted out with a great infotainment system with added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Read our Audi A3 review
Skoda Superb
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Best used family car under £20k
Official MPG: up to 51mpg (1.5 TSI e-Tech 150PS DSG)
Boot size: 625 litres (hatchback)
Insurance group: 19 - 32
Perhaps a more sensible and grown-up option would be the Skoda Superb. Available in both saloon and estate form, a used Skoda Superb is a great all-around family vehicle that comes at a very competitive price point.
This long-standing model has received great praise since it first launched in 2002 and has been incrementally improved with every facelift.
It’s available with the choice of a petrol or diesel engine, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant – so there’s something for everyone.
You'll be able to secure a great deal on a used Superb model as well, making savings on the brand-new purchase price.
Read our Skoda Superb review
Renault Kadjar
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Best SUVs under £20k UK
Official MPG: up to 42.8mpg (Play TCe 140)
Boot size: 472 litres
Insurance group: 14 - 25
We told you there’d be some SUVs on this list, and what a car to kick off that trend. The Renault Kadjar is one of the most popular mid-sized SUVs on the market because of its affordability and low running costs.
What makes this used Renault extra special is that it shares many of its parts with the Nissan Qashqai – another popular SUV in the same segment.
Models are available with either a petrol or diesel engine, and you can choose both automatic and manual gearboxes.
Read our Renault Kadjar review
Peugeot 5008
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Best family SUV under £20k UK
Official MPG: up to 54.1mpg (1.5-litre BlueHDi 130)
Boot size: 167 litres (seven seats)
Insurance group: 11 - 29
Finding a good family SUV for around £20,000 sounds near impossible – until you discover this brilliant used Peugeot.
Okay, this is a little cheat as not all Peugeot 5008s can be had for less than £20k, but they are usually around this mark – some dipping below, some slightly above. But we added it because it offers such great value for money and is ideal for a larger family that needs the extra space.
This is especially true if you go for a used Peugeot 5008 - these can be found at brilliant prices.
And if you want to relax a bit more from your hectic family life, then don’t worry because the 5008 comes with an automatic gearbox option – making your life a little bit more faff-free.
Read our Peugeot 5008 review
Volkswagen Golf
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Best small car under £20k
Official MPG: up to 53.3mpg (1.0-litre 110 PS turbocharged)
Boot size: 381 litres
Insurance group: 7 - 34
Cut the world, and it bleeds Volkswagen Golfs. There’s a reason VW has made 35 million of these and counting. Walk down almost any street in the UK, Europe and beyond, and you'll probably see a Golf.
Not only are they reliable, but they’re also perfect hatchbacks for families and couples alike. And considering you can get a great used Volkswagen example for less than £20k, why would you not consider one? It’s no doubt one of the best budget first cars for new drivers, too.
They can be had in a huge range of trim levels, from the basic Life all the way up to the full-fat Golf GTI and Golf R models.
Read our Volkswagen Golf review
Vauxhall Corsa
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Best car under £20k for value
Official MPG: up 53.3mpg (1.2 litre 75PS)
Boot size: 309 litres
Insurance group: 1 - 26
If you’re lucky enough to have a healthy £20k budget for your first car, then look no further than the Vauxhall Corsa, as you can bag almost any of the trim levels with this chunk of money.
Not only does this include the usual petrol and diesel models, but it also means you have enough spare to opt for the all-electric Corsa-e for some guilt-free driving.
But even if you don’t go for the EV, the petrol and diesel variants are both very economical and offer a smooth and pleasant driving experience.
Read our Vauxhall Corsa review
BMW i3
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Best electric car under £20k
Official mile range: up to 181 miles
Boot size: 260 litre
Insurance group: 21 - 29
Coming as either a petrol-powered car with an electric range extender or as a full EV, the BMW i3 is a great option for city dwellers.
If you’ve recently moved to a city or you want a more suitable car for your city life, then this used BMW may be perfect for you. It’s stylish, has a great interior and is full of character to spice up your commute.
BMW made sure to use many environmentally friendly eco materials when building the i3 to ensure it’s at one with nature. They also feature a carbon fibre aluminium body frame for extra rigidity.
Read our BMW i3 review
What to look out for when buying a used car under £20k
When buying a used car, it's always best to choose a trusted seller to make sure you're getting what you pay for. All of our cars are given a full inspection before they're posted on our site and come with a free 90-day warranty, so you know you're getting good quality.
Once you've chosen your perfect used car, an HPI check can give you all the details about the vehicle. You'll find an HPI check particularly helpful if you're buying from a private seller.
These checks will highlight if the car has been stolen or written off, as well as other helpful bits of information that can aid your buying decision.
You might also want to look at things like the Euro NCAP safety rating of your car, as well as the miles per gallon figure, and any used car reviews.
What's the best car to buy under £20k?
The best car under £20k is the one that suits your needs the most.
Consider what you need from your car and see which options tick those boxes and stick under your price point.
You can use our filters when searching our range of used cars. This will allow you to look at cars within your budget that have the right amount of seats, your must-have tech, and perfect engine size.
You might also want to consider things like road tax and insurance prices, as well as fuel efficiency. These can be make or break factors for your everyday car.
What fast cars are under £20k?
There are plenty of fast cars under £20,000 if you want performance without breaking the bank.
These can also be ideal for a daily driver with some extra punch.
The Audi TT is sometimes called the 'baby R8' and is a perfect pick for power under £20k. The 2.0-litre engine offers up to 245hp and features the Audi all-wheel quattro system.
A surprising pick that's often overlooked, the Abarth 595 is nothing but fun. Its small stature makes it slick to nip about it, and the low centre of gravity adds to the performance.
For an electric pick, the Tesla Model 3 is a modern classic. Instant torque means this option flies off the line, achieving 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds in the entry-level model.