Top 10 used family cars for less than £5000
What's the best used family car for £5000? With so many options to choose from, we've rounded up the top 10...
It isn’t the most spacious family car around, with tight rear seats and small apertures through which to clamber into them, as well as a small boot. However, if your children are small enough and you value driving excitement, the BMW 1 Series is worth a look. Both diesel and petrol models are powerful enough while also being impressively efficient; there’s a smart interior, too. In fact, the only thing that really spoils the party is the firm ride. Timing chain failures can cause expensive breakdowns on diesel models, so check for any rattles.
We found 2008 120i SE, 69,000 miles, £4799
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6. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic’s excellent reputation for reliability is the main reason for choosing one, but you might also fancy one for its off-the-wall, sci-fi-inspired looks or wacky interior. That interior has its flaws, however, and driving the Civic isn’t entirely pleasurable due to excessive tyre noise and an unsettled ride. That said, if you want a reliable family car that cuts a dash, it should be on your list of potentials. Avoid diesel engines, though, because they tend to wear their clutches out rather prematurely. Fortunately, the choice of petrol alternatives is plentiful.
We found 2009 1.8 i-VTEC SE, 64,000 miles, £4760**
Read the used Honda Civic review
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5. Vauxhall Astra
Quiet, comfortable, efficient and good value – that’s the Vauxhall Astra in a nutshell. It isn’t as good to drive as some rivals, and it doesn't have the same high-quality feel as others, but the Astra makes a great all-rounder at a very reasonable price. What’s more, because there are so many of them around, you’re left with a great choice of cars. Watch for reliability niggles, though – there are quite a few of them on the Astra, including flywheel and clutch issues and electrical gremlins.
We found 2011 Astra 1.6 SE, 50,000 miles, £4,950
Read the used Vauxhall Astra review
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Best family cars 2024 – top choices for you & your children
What makes a great family car, and which models should you be considering? Here we count down the 10 best family car models – and name the one to avoid
