Best used cars under £2,000

It’s surprisingly easy to find televisions that cost £2,000 these days, so it’s quite pleasing to know that you can also find cars in reasonable condition for the same amount. Obviously even the best used cars costing £2,000 won’t be in brand-new condition but you should be able to find one with plenty of life left in it for the price.

Whether your budget is for essential family wheels or as a second car, you may be surprised at the variety of cars you can pick up for the money. Perhaps you have a company car for commuting but would like a family-friendly SUV for those occasional trips to the dump, or perhaps a sports car for weekend fun. You'll find both extremes in our list of cars that you can snap up for two grand or less.

Top 3 used sporty cars for £5,000

Trawl the classifieds and you’ll find some cars that need major maintenance work or won’t run at all, so make sure you don’t waste your time considering something that’s destined for the scrapyard. At this end of the market, you may well be looking at cars with higher mileages, but that won’t necessarily be a concern as long as the car’s been well kept. We’d recommend avoiding cars that have had a high number of owners.

It's worth remembering, too, that used-car dealers will want to squeeze every penny of profit out of the cars they have in stock, so it's worth doing a bit of research to check that a car's really worth the price on the windscreen. If you're uncomfortable with haggling, our guide will put you at ease when it comes to driving a deal.

Here's our guide to 12 of the best second-hand cars under £2,000. If you can stretch your budget, why not look at our guides to the best used cars for £3,000 and £5,000.

Vauxhall Corsa D Mk4 (2006-2014)

12

Vauxhall’s fourth-generation Corsa (the first was called the Nova in the UK) has plenty of things to recommend it as a sub-£2,000 used purchase. First and foremost they’re absolutely everywhere; the Corsa has long been one of the UK’s best-sellers, and this ubiquity means you can afford to be fairly picky when it comes to the engines, trims and colours that best suit your needs.

There’s a huge range of engines on offer too - our budget covers the 1.0-litre three-cylinder, 1.2 and 1.4-litre four-cylinders and a 1.3-litre CDTi diesel, though the two smaller petrol engines can feel pretty sluggish. Three- and five-door versions are available, the former getting a sportier look. All Corsas of this vintage are built well but do check for regular servicing and for accident damage - they’re popular first-cars, and can suffer some punishment as a result.

Skoda Octavia Mk2 (2004-2013)

12

As a means of getting maximum car for minimum money, the Skoda Octavia is hard to beat. It really came of age in its second generation, feeling less like a VW spin-off (Octavias have always shared their underpinnings with the Volkswagen Golf) and more like a standalone car, with chunky exterior styling, a pleasant interior and, most usefully for family buyers, an absolutely enormous boot; at 560 litres with the seats up, there’s more space than some estate cars of similar size. And of course, there’s an estate version too, which is even more cavernous.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to engines. The smaller 1.6-litre petrol will be fine for short journeys but the economy and punch of the turbo diesel models (initially a long-lived 1.9-litre TDI, later 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI options) make a lot of sense in the large Octavia body, particularly for those covering longer distances. Greenline-badged models are very frugal indeed - more than 55mpg should be possible in real-world driving. They’re not the most exciting cars (though if you can find one in budget, the sporty vRS can be fun), but should provide many reliable miles of motoring.

Volkswagen Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

12

The Volkswagen Polo is an evergreen favourite, and it's arguably a more solidly engineered machine than its Ford Fiesta rival. Around £2,000 is all that's needed to put yourself behind the wheel of a Polo in Mk4 guise, but it's worth finding a post-2005 facelifted car for a more modern look and feel, inside and out. While this age of Volkswagen Polo is far from the most exciting supermini to drive, it's a safe, smart and comfortable choice, and its strong reputation for durability makes it a popular and desirable choice.

As with all cars on our list, proof of service history is essential, and it's worth giving wear-and-tear parts such as tyres and brakes a thorough inspection before you buy. You'll find that diesel Polos are worth a little more than petrol examples, but the latter may be ideal if you don't expect to cover a high annual mileage.

Mazda3 Mk1 (2003-2009)

12

The Mazda3 is a bigger car than the Polo; it's a rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, and actually shares some mechanical components with the Mk2 model of the Focus. For £2,000, you'll get behind the wheel of a 2006 Mazda3 hatchback with a petrol engine and a manual gearbox – a mechanical package that has proven very reliable when maintained correctly. Chain drive means that these petrol Mazda engines don't require an expensive occasional cam-belt change, which is a bonus when running a car on a budget.

With such robust running gear, a well maintained Mazda3 is more likely to suffer from body damage than mechanical maladies, so check for evidence of dings and scrapes. Mazdas of this vintage are beginning to suffer from corrosion too, so have a good poke around any car you’re test driving, particularly around areas that may cause problems come MOT time, such as suspension mountings and the sills. 

Toyota Avensis Mk2 (2003-2009)

12

If a car regularly appears at a cab rank in the livery of a local minicab firm, that's a good barometer of its reliability. Minicab drivers hate unreliable cars, because the more time they spend being repaired, the less time they spend ferrying passengers. Repair costs eat away at profits, too. The Toyota Avensis is a long-established favourite among minicabbers, and deserves its popularity. Professional drivers love its comfort, too, with seats that are shaped well for long stints behind the wheel.

As ever, maintenance is everything and what seems like a high mileage shouldn't necessarily put you off if servicing hasn't been skimped on. If you're looking for a comfortable family workhorse, the second-generation Avensis is a sound choice, and £2,000 will secure an average-mileage 2003 car or a 2006 example with a higher mileage. Which is best? In this case, it comes down to personal preference. Given its popularity as a minicab do pay attention for models that might have served as such in a former life - high mileage and worn interior surfaces will often give the game away.

Suzuki Swift Mk2 (2004-2010)

12

The Suzuki Swift supermini has actually been around for almost 40 years, but it was the 'second-generation' model from 2004 that really grabbed the attention of motorists in the UK. With its stylishly rounded shape and 'floating' roof design, the Swift could rival the MINI hatchback when it came to style, and was an easy and enjoyable car to drive, too. As with the previous model, the second-generation was popular with driving schools, thanks in part to its robust nature and unthreatening demeanour.

Light weight means impressive economy, too, although that advantage swiftly fades if you drive enthusiastically. That’s easiest to do with the Swift Sport, many of which now sneak under our £2k limit, and for the money it’s difficult to think of another small hatch that can match it for fun, though given it’s a sporty car popular with younger audiences, do check for damage and avoid those with modifications. Although Suzuki dealers are quite widely scattered, any competent workshop should be able to service a Swift – but ensure you choose one that's been maintained to its maker's guidelines.

Mazda MX-5 Mk2 (1998-2005)

12

Of all the cars on our list of sub-£2k bargains, the Mazda MX-5 is the one that best fits the 'second car' remit, and that's exactly what most are bought as. What could be better than a reliable, fun, open-top sportster as a partner to your everyday family car? What's more, as sports cars go, the classic Mazda isn't ruinous to run, with reasonable fuel economy and a simple mechanical layout that makes maintenance inexpensive. There is a caveat, though: although the MX-5 attracts enthusiastic owners, not all are sympathetic and there are examples that have suffered from neglect and abuse. Many are modified too, so try to get one that’s still standard.

When inspecting an MX-5, it's vital that its history is established, and we recommend sourcing a car that was originally supplied by Mazda in the UK, rather than independently sourced from Japan as a 'grey import'. It's rumoured that MX-5s intended for European and UK sale were given more comprehensive rust-proofing, though all but the very best MX-5s will now suffer from corrosion in at least a few places, and it’s not always easy to spot. If the sills are crusty on the outside, there’s a good chance the inner sills are in poor condition. The better news is that engines and gearboxes are very robust, so mechanical issues should be rare.

MINI Hatchback 1.6 Cooper (2001-2007)

12

The MINI hatchback established BMW's upmarket small-car brand and was deservedly popular, marrying fantastic build quality with a sense of fun that few supermini rivals could match. Thanks to the model's desirable image, it has taken a long time for values to drop to £2,000 and under, and even the oldest low-mileage examples can still exceed our budget. However, if you exercise caution, you can still find less expensive examples for sale. A 1.6-litre Cooper makes a good compromise between economy and fun, but specification can vary dramatically.

When buying an older MINI, we recommend that you concentrate on service history and condition as opposed to features and power – it's not unusual to see cash-strapped owners skimping on maintenance, and some examples have lived a hard life and bear the scars to prove it - rust and worn trim aren’t unusual now. Look at the MoT history of any MINI you consider buying, and make doubly sure there's no outstanding finance by carrying out a HPI check.

While some newer, post-2007 MINIs are available within budget, we’d avoid these as the engines can be susceptible to major defects that can cost more than the car’s value to rectify. If you’re looking at pre-2007 Cooper S models, meanwhile, be ready for a stinging road tax bill and poor fuel economy, and ensure the ‘Supercharger service’ has been done at around 100,000 miles.

Fiat Panda Mk2 (2003-2012)

12

Introduced way back in 1980, the first Fiat Panda was seen by many as a design classic that future generations would struggle to live up to. However, while the second-generation model isn't as ruggedly simple as the original, few complained about its newfound comfort and convenience, and build quality that set new standards for Fiat at the time. Though its squared-off lines make it hard to believe, the Panda actually has a lot in common with the Fiat 500 and second-generation Ford Ka, and shares parts of its dashboard with the latter. It means the Panda is far more fun to drive than it looks, as well as being by far the most spacious of all the city cars. The 500 is now available within budget but examples at this price may not be in great condition and naturally not all 500 owners were diligent with maintenance.

A £2,000 budget will secure you a relatively early example of the breed, but age isn't necessarily an issue, as long as it's been well looked after. Fortunately, many Pandas had loving homes, but cosmetic dings and scrapes are commonplace among those that rarely escaped from urban life. Some rare models, such as the limited-edition Panda Alessi, are developing a following and may yet attain cult status, while the 1.4-litre Panda 100HP is well worth keeping an eye out for as an affordable hot hatchback to buy and run.

Honda CR-V Mk2 petrol (2002-2006)

12

The next three cars in our list highlight the fact that you can find a really practical car for under £2,000. The Honda CR-V, for example, is a fantastic family SUV that's a little more compact than some, and that means it won't necessarily cost a fortune to run. This second generation CR-V feels a lot more modern than its predecessor, and benefits from a more spacious interior. A subtle facelift in 2005 brought slightly tougher exterior looks, and introduced upmarket design touches inside.

A hydraulic four-wheel-drive system was available, but don't be fooled into thinking this is a car to take on safari – wet campsites and snowy roads are more the CR-V's forte, and it copes with family adventures very well indeed. The CR-V has also proven reliable, and you'll find that many examples have been lovingly looked after. Nevertheless, always look for evidence of proper servicing, and check the condition of tyres carefully, as they can be expensive to replace.

Ford C-MAX Mk1 1.8 petrol (2003-2010)

12

The original Ford C-MAX hails from a time when the compact SUV hadn't yet become a must-have family accessory, and is almost refreshing in the way it puts accommodation and practicality ahead of image. It's a little plain to look at, but the C-MAX is actually very responsive and enjoyable to drive – it's based on the same mechanical package as the Ford Focus as well as the Mazda3 featured earlier on this list. Unlike its Vauxhall Zafira rival, the C-MAX doesn't make any attempt to seat seven, but this means five adults can sit comfortably while preserving a big, useful boot.

Although diesel examples are available within our budget, we recommend a petrol, especially the 1.8-litre, which offers a bit of extra pulling power compared to the 1.6-litre. The diesels are a little more complicated, and repair can be costly, so we only recommend one if you expect to cover more than 12,000 miles or so per year. We've produced a guide to choosing the right Mk1 Ford C-MAX for you.

Renault Kangoo 1.2 Mk1 (1997-2007)

12

The Renault Kangoo is a bit of a wild card in our selection of £2,000 bargains: it isn't necessarily a car that readily springs to mind. There's method in the madness, though, and the first-generation Kangoo really is the very definition of a family workhorse. As its squared-off shape betrays, the Kangoo is essentially a van with windows, but that doesn't mean it's unpleasant to drive. Indeed, it shares much of its running gear with the Renault Clio hatchback, and offers an enjoyably smooth ride on even rough and broken road surfaces.

There are seats for five, with masses of headroom for both seating rows, and the huge boot and its flat floor means it swallows pushchairs and mountain bikes with ease. There's even a rare Kangoo Trekka four-wheel-drive version for those who make forays off the beaten track, though these used larger 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel engines instead of the base 1.2-litre. Best of all, the Kangoo wouldn't be so popular among van drivers if it wasn't reliable, and the well proven petrol and diesel engines can cover big mileages if properly looked after.

For more used car buying advice, why not read our guides to buying a used car for a budget of £3,000, and £5,000.