Best used SUVs for less than £10,000

Be warned, if you prefer a high-riding SUV, the Skoda Kamiq places you quite low to the ground, with a driving position that is barely more elevated than that of the Skoda Scala family hatchback, which it's closely related to. 

However, in every other respect, it's a brilliant used choice, with a supple, well-controlled ride and a remarkably spacious and classy interior. It's very practical, too, for a small SUV. 

The entry-level 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is more than peppy enough and economical, making it a cheap car to run, and it's the cheapest Kamiq on the used car forecourt. On top of that, all models are good to drive, with surprisingly high levels of refinement. 

Reliability is strong, too, with the Kamiq scoring an impressive 94.1% in the small SUV category in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. 

"All who drive or even live with the Kamiq come away impressed. It's easy to drive and it's got more space than you'd think, too, which makes it a really nice car for day-to-day use." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor 

We found: 2021 Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI 95 SE, 45,000 miles, £9995

Read our used Skoda Kamiq review

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The Volkswagen T-Roc isn't the cheapest small SUV used, but it's a great buy if you stick to the cheaper engines and trims.

On that basis, it's almost competitive on value with the Skoda Kamiq and the Volkswagen T-Cross. The T-Roc’s cosseting ride, superb refinement and practical boot will appeal to families, and it has one of the best driving positions of any car in the class.

Later models have a much-improved interior, with soft materials and bright plastic finishes where you’d want them. It's reliable, too, with a great score of 99% in our most recent reliability survey.

Only the fact that you can buy a newer Kamiq for this budget than you can a T-Roc pushes it down a place or two. 

"It's a little more expensive to buy than some, but I think this T-Roc combines all that's best of modern VW in a small and entertaining package. Top marks." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2019 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.0 TSI 115 SE, 55,150 miles, £9990

Read our used Volkswagen T-Roc review

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The Skoda Karoq just edges out its broadly similar sibling, the Seat Ateca. It's extremely practical (even more so than the Ateca), it drives well, and it's excellent value for money.

There's a good range of engines to choose from, and it's handsomely equipped. Skoda's mid-range petrol engine, badged as the 1.5 TSI 150, is our pick of the range, because with 148bhp it never feels out of puff, yet it should still keep your running costs in check. As a bonus, the Karoq's ride is much more comfortable than that of the closely related Ateca.

The Karoq’s greatest asset, though, is its interior, which is flexible, smart and beautifully built, with loads of space for all your passengers. Even today, few can match it. It's a size up from the Kamiq and T-Roc, for example. 

The Karoq's been out for many years now, so early ones from around £10,000 look especially good value. 

"Skoda doesn't scrimp on space and the Karoq is no exception. When testing one out, my family and I very much appreciated the vast passenger space and big boot." – Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2019 Skoda Karoq 1.0 TSI SE Drive, 40,000 miles, £10,000

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Citroën historically specialised in designing cars with a comfortable ride above all else. This is perhaps why the Citroën C5 Aircross has such supple suspension: to tie in with that tradition. Plus, those quirky looks could only really come from a company that arguably knows more than any other carmaker about avant-garde design.

Under its skin, you’ll find engines and mechanicals that are less radical, but that's not such a bad thing. It shares its underpinnings with the Peugeot 3008, Peugeot 5008 and Vauxhall Grandland of the same era.

It drives well, rides comfortably and has a good amount of interior space. Reliability is much improved, according to our most recent reliability survey, with the C5 Aircross scoring a healthy 93.4%. 

Prices for a used Citroën C5 Aircross start at around £8000 for a high mileage 2019 1.5-litre diesel models in mid-spec Flair trim. Expect to spend around £9000 for a similar 1.2-litre petrol, a little more for a 2020 model. 

"For years, we've had our doubts about Citroen's reliability, but we ran a C5 Aircross as a long-term car, and it was fine. On that basis, few SUVs can match it for all-round practicality and, in my eyes, style. " - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2020 Citroen C5 Aircross 1.2 Puretech Flair, 30,000 miles, £9490

Read our full used Citroen C5 Aircross review

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The latest Dacia Duster not only looks rugged and handsome in a chisel-jawed sort of way, it's also good to drive, comfortable and cheap to run. 

Space is very good, too; four adults should have few complaints about longer journeys and you can even take five – at a pinch. The boot capacity is also excellent. It might not be of the highest quality inside, but it'll stand up to abuse from even the most ardent DIYer, or the most abusive toddler.

Its reliability record is strong, scoring an impressive 95% in our most recent survey, and existing owners love them. Our budget buys a good 2022 model, making it one of the newest cars here.

"You gotta love the Duster. I do. This version is much better to drive than the original Duster. It'll do all the practical stuff that all the other cars here do and even more than that but at a lower cost, age-for-age." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found 2022 Dacia Duster 1.5 DCi Laureate, 36,000 miles, £9999

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The Mazda CX-5 is a terrific all-rounder. If you’re after a used SUV to transport your family around in it’s almost unbeatable, being good to drive, decently practical and, above all, superb value for money.

Enthusiastic drivers will love it for its surprisingly agile handling, and families will love it for its practical, spacious and exceptionally high-quality interior. The CX-5 is also handsomely equipped and exceptionally well screwed together, with a good reliability record. 

It's larger than most of the cars on our list here, and also unfortunately a fraction more expensive; otherwise, it might have finished even higher. 

"The CX-5 is great to drive, especially if you don't mind an old-school driving experience like I do – for instance, the petrol engines need plenty of revs to really get going." – George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.0 SE-L, 60,402 miles, £9995

Read our used Mazda CX-5 review

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A great family SUV, the Seat Ateca is one of the very best of its kind to drive – feeling sure-footed on a challenging B-road, nimble on city streets and refined on a motorway.

It’s also backed up by a cracking range of engines.

Practicality is still a top priority: the doors open wide to make putting a child car seat in easier, the boot is big and the interior is spacious.

It's a great used buy, too; our budget buys a 2017 car, but shop around and you should be able to find a 2019 model. 

"The Ateca's a terrific car and gives the Skoda Karoq a run for its money. One thing I really like about the Ateca's interior is the fact the dashboard is angled towards the driver, which means the controls are within easy reach." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2019 Seat Ateca 1.5 TSI SE Technology, 51,000 miles, £9995

Read our full used Seat Ateca review

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The Peugeot 3008 is a great family SUV and a good used buy.

Its striking looks are still on-trend today, with its eye-catching, raised up and blocky styling, and that tough-looking black plastic cladding all over its handsome exterior.

The interior lives up to the billing supplied by the outside, being neat, practical and nicely made. It's nice to drive, comfortable to ride in and well equipped. Used examples are now proving to be good and very solid buys. 

"I've always been sold on the 3008's film-star looks but it's more than got the goods to back it up. It's good to drive, easy to live with and really good value for money. "- George Hill, used cars writer

We found 2019 Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech Allure, 30,000 miles, £9495

Read our full used Peugeot 3008 review

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The Seat Arona is one of our favourite small SUVs. It offers the convenience of a high driving position, a practical boot and the sort of reasonable running costs you'd expect from a smaller car. 

Added to that, it's got a roomy interior, a comfortable ride and peppy petrol engines. Indeed, if what you want above all is that your small SUV drives well, this is the one to choose; it has plenty of punch and can tackle corners with enthusiasm.

And then you can add in its value when bought used. Reliability has been an issue in the past with the Arona, though, which is why it doesn't feature higher up this list, but in our most recent Reliability Survey it scored an excellent 92.7% in the small SUV class. 

"The Arona was one of our very favourite small SUVs, but its reliability, mostly related to electrical issues, has let it down before. This year, things seem to have changed, in which case it deserves its place in our top 10." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2022 Seat Arona 1.0 TSI 95 SE Technology, 42,463 miles, £9440

Read our used Seat Arona review

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The very apogee of the family SUV, the Nissan Qashqai has pointed the way for all others since it started the trend way back in 2008.

This second-generation version really upped the game when it was introduced in 2014. It's immensely practical and spacious inside, and comfortable. It's better to drive than previous Qashqais, too, with a good interior quality. 

However, reliability has always let the Qashqai down a bit. It's had a few average showings in our What Car? Reliability Survey, but our recent results have given it an above-average rating, in which case we're more than happy to include it here. 

"The one that started the trend for family SUVs and still a good car today. This model I ran as a long-termer and found it spacious and comfortable for my family needs." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found 2020 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T Acenta, 55,000 miles, £9700

Read our full used Nissan Qashqai review

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