Best used family cars for less than £5000

It's a victory here for the previous-generation Ford Focus.

Just like the present model, it's sharp, agile, engaging and fun to drive. If you're a keen driver, this is probably the right family car for you. There's plenty of room inside, too, and top-spec models are well-equipped. 

And the driving experience and the practicality aren't the only things going for the Focus, because buying and running costs are very reasonable, aided by decent fuel economy.

You can pick up a 2016 model within our budget, which really seals the deal here as that's getting you a much younger car than most of its rivals. Used prices for an earlier 2011 or 2012 model start at around £3500 for a car in good condition with an average mileage for the age. Check out used prices for a Ford Focus by clicking on the link below and heading over to our classifieds site. 

"At this price level, the Focus shines supreme. Its all-round ability and terrific value for money make it immensely appealing. I've driven many of this generation, and they are never less than fun to drive. Parts will be freely available too." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2016 Ford Focus 1.0 125 Titanium, 65,000 miles, £5000

Read our full used Ford Focus review

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The previous-generation Skoda Octavia is a tremendous family car. 

Sure, its interior lacks the level of class found in one or two of its rivals, but the added interior and boot space more than make up for that. 

Also helping make the Octavia’s case is the fact that it gets plenty of equipment (as standard from new) and that it’s delightfully smooth at high speeds, making it a splendid long-distance cruiser.

It's a terrific all-round car, one that's comfortable and cost-effective to buy and own. Reliability for this generation of Octavia has been particularly strong over the last few years. 

Price-wise, the Octavia is a bit of a bargain. Used prices for this generation of car start at around £3000 for a car with a higher mileage for the age, £3500 for an average mileage. For our budget, you can easily pick up a 2014 or maybe even a 2015 car. Not as good value as the Focus, but well worth looking at. 

"I've run an Octavia of this generation as a long-term car, and it was not only faultless, it was also one of the most complete family cars I've ever driven. If you need the interior and boot space, this is the one to choose." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2014 Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI SE, 59,700 miles, £4495

Read our full used Skoda Octavia review

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Low, sleek and blessed with an upmarket interior, this previous generation of the BMW 1 Series was the hatchback of choice for aspiring family buyers for years.

It's not quite as spacious and affordable to buy and run as its more functional rivals, but it's got punchy engines, entertaining handling and a fantastic infotainment system.

Reliability has proven to be fantastic, too. In our 2024 reliability survey, it achieved a 100% rating, and it nearly matched that in our most recent 2025 survey. 

Prices for a used BMW are as you might expect higher than comparable cars like the Focus and Octavia, but you can still pick up a bargain. Used prices start at around £3000. Check them out by clicking on our used car classifieds site link just below the review. 

"This is the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series, so you'll find the handling is especially entertaining. Really, though it's the fantastic reliability of this car that earns it the runner-up slot here. Friends will like the BMW badge, too." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2014 BMW 1 Series 118i Sport, 69,000 miles, £4990

Read our full used BMW 1 Series review

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This previous-generation version of the Audi A3 is one of the finest family cars around.

For starters, it's the classiest car in the class with a beautifully designed and built interior, decent amounts of equipment and smart styling. But it's also comfortable, practical, great to drive, and every engine in the range is impressively efficient.

It compares well for interior room with immediate rivals, too, and in this top 10, it only just gives way to the top two by way of it being generally a bit more costly to buy – you can get the price down by opting for an older model or one with more miles on it, of course. 

Used prices start at around £3000, but we'd spend up to £5000 on a later model with a more average mileage for the age. Check out the second-hand prices on our classifieds site by clicking on the link below. 

"What a great car, and a previous and deserved winner of our What Car? Used Car of the Year award. I love it. Only the BMW's reliability and the fact the Focus is much newer count against it here." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2014 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport 5dr, 69,900 miles, £5000

Read our full used Audi A3 review

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We’re huge fans of the seventh-generation VW Golf, but, like the Audi A3, it is a bit more expensive than some of its rivals age-for-age. 

As a result, for this price, you’ll probably have to put up with a slightly older and/or higher mileage example than some of its rivals here.

Nevertheless, if you can live with that age, you do get some great benefits: a classy interior (that's only second to the A3's), a comfortable ride, sharp handling, a spacious interior and impressive safety standards. Reliability ups and downs over the years, so check the condition of the car you're looking at carefully. 

Used prices for the Golf look particularly attractive, even if they're not as cheap as mainstream rivals from Ford and Skoda. You can find a Golf of this generation from just £3500, but we'd use up all our £5000 budget here and buy a 2014 car with an average mileage for the year. A service history is an essential. 

"Few cars are as well-rounded as the Golf, hence it's been a popular model for decades now. I love its solid, reassuring feel and the wholesome driving experience. I ran one long-term and loved it." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2014 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI SE 5dr, 70,000 miles, £4999

Read our full used Volkswagen Golf review

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Like the Skoda Octavia, the previous-gen Seat Leon is a little way off the VW Golf for interior quality, but it's still ahead of most other rivals on this list.

What's more, the Leon offers the same great choice of engines as the Golf and even the more premium Audi A3, too. The Leon is also great fun to drive, more so than most alternatives (including those we just mentioned). 

How come it fails to finish higher? Well, that's mainly down to space and comfort, because, while the Leon fares well in both of those areas, it's still no match for the mighty Octavia. Reliability for this generation of Leon has always been pretty good, though. 

The used prices for the Leon suggest it's great value, and it is. Shop carefully and you should find a good 2014 or 2015 car for this budget. And the good news is Leons often have more moderate mileages than some of its rivals. Check the service history, though. Click on the links below to head to our classifieds site. 

"Here's another previous overall winner of our What Car? Used Car of the Year award. At the time, buying a two or three-year-old Leon was exceptional value, and even now, at this price, it's good value. I like its driving experience too." - George Hill, used cars writer 

We found: 2014 Seat Leon 1.2 TSI SE Dynamic Tech, 64,500 miles, £4995

Read our full used Seat Leon review

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The Volvo V40 remains one of the Swedish firm's most popular models, according to the number of views we get for it on our website.

Perhaps that's not surprising - it offers all the traditional qualities we expect from a Volvo but at very reasonable second-hand prices.

It shares a lot in common with our top car here, the contemporary 2011-2018 Ford Focus, but that's not a bad base to start from, and you'll find few clues to the V40's mainstream heritage by simply sitting in it.

Indeed, there are plenty of brushed metal trims and soft-touch materials to give it enough quality to edge it ahead of its main competitors, with only the 2013-2020 Audi A3 having a more premium feel.

Reliability has proven to be a bit mixed, which is why it doesn't finish even higher up our list here. 

Second-hand prices look good on the V40. It's a lot of car for the money, quality-wise. You can pick one up for £3000, but we'd spend more on a later car. Check out the full range of prices on our used classifieds site. The links are below. 

"No wonder this review is so popular on our website. There must be many faithful owners drawn to the V40's solidity and logical approach who want to hold on to their cars as long as possible. Good for them, I say." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2015 Volvo V40 2.0 D2 R-Design, 64,500 miles, £4995

Read our full used Volvo V40 review

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This was the car that transformed how we thought of Kia.

You see, compared with its predecessor, this second-generation Kia Cee’d was so much more stylish inside and out, and much better to drive.

Just as importantly, seeing as this was a car aimed firmly at families, the Cee’d had a boot larger than you’ll find in the contemporary Focus and it's a match for the Golf's. The interior quality is impressive for this level of car, and it's comfortable, too. 

Nicely made and reliable, a used Cee'd now looks remarkably good value too. There are plenty for sale on our used car classifieds site for our chosen budget, many with only an average mileage for the age. 

"Guess what, I've run a Kia Cee'd of this generation as a long-term car too. I ran it for a year, and in that time it proved itself to be smooth and comfortable and trouble-free. It even transported me and my family all the way to the south of France and back one very hot summer." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2015 Kia Cee'd 1.4 GDi SR7, 68,500 miles, £4995

Read our full used Kia Cee'd review

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Just finishing behind the Kia Cee'd here, but in reality, the two could be practically interchangeable as they share a lot of the oily bits under their skins.

The Hyundai i30 is a really good, solid and user-friendly family car. It's reliable, spacious, robustly built and comfortable, and it came with plenty of standard equipment from new.

Find a good one, and there should be plenty of them out there, and you'd get a practical and usable family car that should also be relatively cheap to run. 

The prices of a second-hand i30 vary, but you should be able to find a 2015 car for our money. Check out all the prices on our used car classifieds site. 

"Although so similar to the Kia Cee'd, the i30 has its own distinct character. It feels slightly softer and more comfortable, while its body is more rounded. I prefer the looks to the Cee'd's, but both cars would make admirable used buys at this price level." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2015 Hyundai i30 1.2T GDi SE, 77,000 miles, £4995

Read our full used Hyundai i30 review

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Are you the kind of person who gets fed up reading about a car’s character? Basically, you just want a car that will get you around dependably and quietly, with the minimum of hassle and the maximum of ease? If so, there’s a strong chance the Toyota Auris will be right up your street.

It's nicely made, good to drive and comfortable to ride in. Boot space in the Auris is adequate, but rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Pulsar both offer more room, while the Skoda Octavia blows the Auris away in this area.

In the last What Car? Reliability Survey it featured in, the Auris finished in a very impressive sixth place out of 28 family cars. Meanwhile, Toyota came third out of 30 manufacturers, all of which adds up to a car that should give you less trouble than a great many of the other cars on our list here. 

Prices for the Auris are quite competitive, considering how strong a used car it is. Its slightly underwhelming looks mean there are several 2015 models in our classifieds listings for less than £5000. 

"A left-field choice but a favourite of ours, the Auris would finish higher up on our list if it were perhaps more exciting to drive, but its strong reliability means it's a real contender here." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2015 Toyota Auris 1.2 VVT-i Icon, 72,900 miles, £4999

Read our full used Toyota Auris review

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