Volkswagen Passat

New Skoda Superb Estate

Peugeot 308 SW

Skoda Octavia Estate

New Mercedes E-Class Estate

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Audi A6 Avant

Mercedes C-Class Estate

best-used-estate-cars-for-less-than-pound10000

Don't dismiss the good old-fashioned&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/estate-cars/n16998">estate car</a>. You might have been led astray by the promise of an adventurous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">SUV</a>&nbsp;lifestyle, but why spend a fortune running a high-riding behemoth when you could have a practical estate that’s much more fun to drive?

Buying used can net you a bargain, too, so even if money's tight there should be something for everyone. Here's the list of our top 10 favourite used estates for less than £10,000.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best used estate cars for less than £10,000

Estate

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

CEED

This earlier version of the&nbsp;Kia Cee'd&nbsp;is a very&nbsp;likeable five-door family car, but for those who require a little more practicality, there's the Cee'd&nbsp;Sportswagon estate – it's&nbsp;pretty much identical to the hatchback but with&nbsp;a more voluminous boot. It may not be the sharpest in the class to drive, but it's&nbsp;spacious and nicely built, and something of a bargain&nbsp;at this price point.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Kia Cee'd Sportswagon 1.6 CRDI ISG GT-Line, 60,000&nbsp;miles, £9555

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/ceed?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

10: Kia Cee'd Sportswagon

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Smooth ride</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some rivals are better to drive</li>
	<li>Some versions are short on power</li>
</ul>

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

CIVIC

From nose to&nbsp;rear doors, the Honda Civic Tourer is essentially identical to the&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/used-review/n773">2012-2017 Civic Hatchback</a>. However, the Tourer's&nbsp;bulkier rear end&nbsp;is enough of a difference to yield&nbsp;great advantages, such as more head room for rear passengers and a boot of praiseworthy proportions. The model also enjoys solid build quality, a great&nbsp;reliability record and a good driving experience, making it worth the slightly higher age-for-age purchase price here. &nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2016&nbsp;Honda Civic 1.6 I-DTEC SR, 56,000 miles, £9995

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/honda?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

9: Honda Civic Tourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge boot</li>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Poor refinement</li>
	<li>Expensive for what it is</li>
</ul>

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

The Mazda 6 Tourer is based on an executive car&nbsp;and has suitably&nbsp;sharp styling and a posh interior –&nbsp;without&nbsp;high prices&nbsp;to match. In addition to a generous boot, owners will reap the rewards of&nbsp;good fuel economy and intuitive infotainment, as well as handling that's among the best in its class. Reliability is strong, too. It's an incredibly smart package.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2017&nbsp;Mazda 6 2.2d SE-L Nav, 68,000&nbsp;miles, £9900

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mazda/mazda6?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

8: Mazda 6 Tourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Impressive fuel economy</li>
	<li>Strong but quiet diesel engine</li>
	<li>Excellent infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Firm low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Not as much fun to drive as some rivals</li>
</ul>

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

FABIA

We like the outgoing 2015-2021 Fabia small car very much&nbsp;but this&nbsp;estate version&nbsp;offers&nbsp;more practicality, and all in a diminutive package that suits city centres and is kind to your wallet – both in terms of buying and running costs.&nbsp;On top of that, it's good to drive, surprisingly refined and very comfortable. You should be able to find a 2019&nbsp;car comfortably within budget, too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0 TSI SE, 33,000&nbsp;miles, £9999

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/skoda/fabia?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

7: Skoda Fabia Estate

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Super spacious</li>
	<li>Economical engines</li>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Hard interior plastics</li>
	<li>Low speed ride could be better</li>
	<li>Used examples are notably outnumbered by the standard hatch</li>
</ul>

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

ASTRA

The Astra Sports Tourer is on this list because of the great value it offers – you should pick up a 2018 car for our budget. This generation of Astra is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, yet it's bigger inside – rear head room is particularly generous.&nbsp;It's no chore to drive, either;&nbsp;it handles neatly, its engines are strong and refined and its ride is well judged.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 CDTI Ecoflex SRI, 56,400&nbsp;miles, £10,000

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/vauxhall/astra?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

6: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cheap to buy</li>
	<li>Smooth ride</li>
	<li>Plenty for sale</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plasticky interior</li>
	<li>Diesels can be noisy</li>
	<li>Not especially reliable</li>
</ul>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FOCUS

The estate version of the Focus has always been popular with families; it brings much of the driver appeal of the hatchback while adding a bigger boot. This third-generation car improves efficiency further and brings better in-car tech and classier materials. Above all, though, it's as good to drive as ever, thanks to good grip and handling characteristics, not to mention steering that's pleasingly light and direct. It would have finished even higher if you could have got a petrol-engined version for our £10k budget.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018 Ford Focus 1.5 TDCI 120 Zetec, 45,000 miles, £9500

Find a used one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/focus?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">&nbsp;here</a>

5: Ford Focus Estate

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Eager handling</li>
	<li>Plenty of passenger space</li>
	<li>Large and practical boot</li>
	<li>Good value used</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior feels cheap</li>
	<li>Infotainment system a little old-fashioned</li>
	<li>Seating could be more versatile</li>
	<li>Reliability a bit mixed</li>
</ul>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

PASSAT

The Passat Estate has a broad spread of abilities. It's a smart-looking executive estate car with a nice interior, and it's great to drive, with flexible diesel engines and some peppy petrol options. It also comes well equipped and is pretty economical, and – of course – its boot is huge. You may have to shop around to get one exactly within this budget, we should add, but it'll be worth it.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2016&nbsp;Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI S, 81,000 miles, £10,000

Find a used one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/passat?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">&nbsp;here</a>

4: Volkswagen Passat Estate

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good range of engines</li>
	<li>Spacious interior and boot</li>
	<li>Classy interior</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Slightly unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Base S trim misses out on some kit</li>
</ul>

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

LEON

The Seat Leon ST finishes high up&nbsp;not simply because of how much car you get for your money, but also the all-round quality that your cash secures. It offers a wide range of economical petrol and diesel engines,&nbsp;a smart interior and a decent dose of design flair – despite its workmanlike capabilities. It's really good to drive, too. The best of all&nbsp;worlds, then, at a very tempting price.

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Seat Leon ST 2.0 TDI FR [Technology Pack], 50,000&nbsp;miles, £9890

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/seat/leon?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

3: Seat Leon ST

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Outstanding value</li>
	<li>Easy to use infotainment system</li>
	<li>Sporty drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
	<li>Diesels a bit noisy</li>
	<li>Bland interior</li>
</ul>

GOLF

The Golf is a Swiss Army knife of a car: it can be a family transport, a long-distance cruiser and a classy urban car. And the additional boot capacity of the Golf Estate adds 'load lugger' to that list. This Mk7 version is great to drive, plus it's available with some great engines that are nippy and fuel efficient. Couple that with respectable reliability and the Golf Estate proves amazing value.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0 TDI SE, 66,000&nbsp;miles, £9990

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/golf?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

2: Volkswagen Golf Estate

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge boot</li>
	<li>Great interior design</li>
	<li>Wide range of engines</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Expensive to buy</li>
	<li>Some rivals are bigger still</li>
	<li>Limited petrol choice</li>
</ul>

OCTAVIA

It's a victory for the masterful Octavia Estate. It might not look like it’ll set your heart on fire, but it's well-rounded enough to be&nbsp;one of the best&nbsp;used cars, let alone used estates, that you can buy. It offers virtually unmatched space and practicality, along with easy-going refinement and superb value for money.&nbsp;What's more, the&nbsp;Octavia Estate is powered by&nbsp;some of the Volkswagen Group’s best engines; there's something for everyone, from lively petrols to frugal diesels, and all at a reasonable price.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Skoda Octavia Estate 1.5 TSI 150&nbsp;SE Technology, 40,000&nbsp;miles, £9500

Find a used one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/skoda/octavia?standardBodyType=Estate&amp;maxPrice=10000&amp;maxOdometerReadingMiles=80000&amp;sort=vehicleAgeDesc">here</a>

1: Skoda Octavia Estate

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge load space</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Some great-value options</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>So-so refinement</li>
	<li>Choppy low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Some versions are expensive</li>
</ul>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

If practicality and affordability top your priorities list, you really can't go wrong with any of these capable estate cars

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