Ford Mondeo 1.8 GLX – Rewind Wednesday

How much do they cost now?

You’ll do well to find a first-generation Mondeo in the classifieds; they are very rare indeed. This isn’t because they are a sought-after and much-loved classic, but rather because they were fairly ordinary and so often run into the ground by fleet companies. If you do find one, it would command a relatively hefty price. Early models with around 50,000 miles cost around £1500.

If you widen your search to include post-facelift (Mk2) models, then you’ll find a few more on the market for a lot less money. One from around 1999 can be had for as little as £500. However, while Fords do generally have a pretty good reliability record, any car that old will likely require a bit of investment in its upkeep. So long as it's been cared for previously, though, it has a good chance of running fairly sweetly.

Rather something more modern?

There are plenty of excellent-quality used executive cars on sale today, including a lot of surprisingly affordable options. Here, we count down the top 10 for less than £5000 – and reveal the models to avoid

Best used executive cars for less than £5000

10. Lexus IS

Buy a Lexus IS and you’ll get a sharp-looking and beautifully made executive saloon. Not only does Lexus consistently feature at the very top of most customer satisfaction and reliability surveys, the IS is often the individual model that tops the lists. True, it’s not the most exciting car to drive, but the interior is laden with kit and the finish is very impressive. This second-generation car certainly looks the part.

We found 2007 IS250 SE, 73,000 miles, full service history, £5000

Read the used Lexus IS review

Find a used Lexus IS in the What Car? Classifieds

9. Citroën C5

It might seem like a bit of a left-field choice – after all, the Citroën C5 was never one of the best-selling or most popular executive cars – but that doesn’t mean this soft-riding and spacious saloon should be overlooked on the used market. There are bargains to be had and what you’ll get for your money is an immensely comfortable and impressively refined motorway cruiser with more than enough room for the family.

We found 2010 1.6 HDI VTR+, 55,000 miles, full service history, £4995

Read the used Citroën C5 review

Find a used Citroën C5 in the What Car? Classifieds

8. Honda Accord

The thing to remember about the Honda Accord is that it’s a much better car than its looks and image would lead you to believe. It’s beautifully made, for starters, with an exemplary reliability and customer satisfaction rating. In addtion, all models have a healthy supply of standard equipment and safety kit. It’s good to drive, too, with nimble handling and a spacious interior. What’s not to like?

We found 2007 2.0 VTEC SE, 48,000 miles, full service history, £4995

Read the used Honda Accord review

Find a used Honda Accord in the What Car? Classifieds

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