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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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 29 January 2025
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
Tesla Model 3
Skoda Superb
Renault Kadjar
Peugeot 5008
Range Rover Evoque
Vauxhall Corsa
BMW i3
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Tesla Model 3
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Best electric car under £20k
Official MPG: 4.4mi/kWh, 436-mile range (Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive)
Boot size: 594 litres
Insurance group: 36 - 50
A used Tesla Model 3 is one of those cars that does it all but better. A used electric vehicle (EV) is a great entrance point to electric car ownership because they're cheaper than a new one so you take less of a financial hit.
With models consistently sitting at less than £20k with a few miles on the clock, it makes for a great used buy.
Overall range will still be strong even with some miles under its belt. Expect between 250 and 330 miles from a full charge – but this depends on many factors, so check the car's battery health beforehand.
Read our Tesla Model 3 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
For a sensible and grown-up option, you can never go wrong with 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 because 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
Range Rover Evoque
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Best luxury car under £20k UK
Official MPG: up to 46.9mpg (2.0 D200)
Boot size: 591 litres
Insurance group: 24 - 41
If you're on a budget but still want a high level of luxury and opulence, a used Range Rover Evoque may be the way to go.
With a large 591-litre boot, four-wheel drive and one of the best interiors for the price, you can't go wrong. Tech includes features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 1.4-inch screen, massage seats and more.
There's a range of engines on offer, too, including a petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid that offers 37.9 miles of electric-only driving.
Read our Range Rover Evoque 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 small 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.