Best used cars to buy now 2025
From city cars to large family SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
There’s never been a better time to buy a used car in the UK. A mix of booming new-car sales, allied with limited availability, has seen lots of people turn to the second-hand market – and that makes the 2025 Auto Express Used Car Awards more relevant than ever.
To choose our winners, we looked back at how we rated the cars when new, but hold the opinions of readers who actually own the cars, provided via our Driver Power survey, in equally high regard. Beyond that, we consider how used values have held up; in many cases, weaker residuals can lead to a used bargain.
On other occasions, a car that holds its value well can prove a sound investment – particularly in the performance-car categories, where robust used values help offset high maintenance bills.
Finding those bargains has never been easier, thanks to the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We’ve singled out some of our favourite examples on sale there in each category – though new stock arrives daily, so there’s every chance that by the time you read this, even better used options will have arrived. Happy searching!
Used Car Awards 2025: the best used cars to buy now
Below you can find out all about our experts’ recommendations in the Auto Express Used Car Awards. Click the links in the table for our in-depth guide to all the top models in each award category. Or scroll down for our analysis of the Used Car Award winners and why they make such amazing used buys at the moment…
| Used Car of the Year 2025 | BMW 3 Series |
| Best used city car 2025 | Fiat 500e |
| Best used supermini 2025 | Skoda Fabia |
| Best used compact family car 2025 | Hyundai Ioniq |
| Best used family car 2025 | Vauxhall Insignia |
| Best used estate car 2025 | Skoda Octavia |
| Best used small SUV 2025 | Ford Puma |
| Best used mid-size SUV 2025 | Dacia Duster |
| Best used large SUV 2025 | Kia Sorento |
| Best used compact executive 2025 | BMW 3 Series |
| Best used executive car 2025 | Jaguar I-Pace |
| Best used luxury car 2025 | Audi A8 |
| Best used MPV 2025 | Dacia Jogger |
| Best used coupe 2025 | Mercedes C-Class Coupe |
| Best used convertible 2025 | Mini Convertible |
| Best used hot hatchback 2025 | Ford Fiesta ST |
| Best used sports car 2025 | Porsche 911 (2011-19) |
| Best used hybrid car 2025 | Toyota Yaris |
| Best used electric car 2025 | Jaguar I-Pace |
| Best used van 2025 | Ford Transit Custom |
Designed to offer vitally important advice to anyone in the market for a car, the Auto Express Used Car Awards give drivers a clear picture of which models really deliver on reliability, value, and everyday practicality - the things that matter when you're spending your own money.
Our team of experts, with decades of collective testing experience, have put every model through its paces over the years, and combine that knowledge with data and insight from our industry leading Driver Power survey, where owners tell us what these cars are really like to live with.
BMW 3 Series is the best used car to buy
BMW was the big winner in the 2025 Auto Express Used Car Awards. The BMW 3 Series is our Used Car of the Year 2025, showing a breadth of talents that also saw it take the Best Compact Executive Car title.
“The 3 Series is a car that can do it all, with a fantastic range of engines from efficient diesel or plug-in hybrid options through to high-performance petrols plus saloon or estate bodystyles.”
“It’s a car that outpoints its competition as a new car, and those strengths easily translate to the used market, while strong sales mean there’s plenty of choice and value to be found for second-hand buyers.” - Paul Barker, editor
Jaguar I-Pace wins the Best Used Electric Car title
Jaguar’s electric I-Pace was runner-up in the overall Used Car of the Year category as well as topping both the Used Executive and Used Electric Car categories. The performance reflects the astounding value to be found in the pioneering SUV which still feels modern thanks to its innovative design.
Skoda’s Fabia and Octavia named as Best Used Supermini and Estate Car
Skoda collected class wins for the Fabia which was Best Used Supermini and Octavia - Estate Car - as well as an overall third place for the Fabia. The Superb was also Commended in the Family Car class, completing a successful outing for the Czech brand.
“Skoda has long been one of Auto Express’s most recommendable brands, combining space, practicality and plenty of clever touches at a great price. Though used buyers have now caught on and they’re maybe not the bargain they once were, Skodas still offer a lot of value for money, a vital characteristic of any used car.
“The Fabia has a roomy cabin for the sector and looks classy inside and out, while the Octavia Estate is possibly the best all-rounder out there and an obvious Estate Car of the Year winner once again.” - Paul Barker, editor
Three used car class wins for Ford
Ford’s Puma, Fiesta ST and Transit Custom also collected class wins in the Used Car Awards 2025. The Puma is Britain’s best selling new car for a reason and the huge numbers of models available on the used market means buyers are spoiled for choice. The Puma, is also a great car, of course with arguably the best driving experience in the small SUV class.
Speaking of experiences behind the wheel, The Fiesta ST is our Best Used Hot Hatch. The demise of the Fiesta as a new car has only made used examples look more attractive and the ST captures that essence of what made the standard car so much fun to drive, adding a bit more power and focus. Finally, the Transit Custom is our Best Used Van for its blend of polished road manners and outstanding practicality.
Toyota Yaris is the Best Used Hybrid to buy
Toyota’s reputation for building cars that are bullet-proof and reliable, as well as technologically advanced and backed by a great warranty offering, tends to serve its cars very well on the used market. The Yaris proved to be the stand-out choice for our judges but they also commended the RAV4 SUV and Proace City van.
“The Yaris’s victory in the Best Used Hybrid category, as well as being Commended in the Best Supermini class, shows how highly we rate the super-efficient small car with lots of passenger space.” - Paul Barker, editor
Dacias take the crowns in Used MPV and Used Mid-size SUV classes
Dacia has always stood for excellent low-cost motoring, but the two cars that each picked up an Auto Express Used Car Awards victory are much more than just good value.
“The Duster, our Used Mid-sized SUV of the Year, was a huge step up in quality over its predecessor, while the, Used MPV of the Year, Dacia Jogger offers seven-seat capability in an understatedly stylish package. Both Dacias exceed expectations in terms of what you get for the money, and are far from being just an option for those on a budget.” - Paul Barker, editor
How to buy a used car
Can you afford it?
This sounds like an obvious thing to ask yourself, but we’re not just talking about the up-front cost or, if you’re financing, the monthly repayments. Make yourself aware of the road tax band, because the annual outlay could be more than expected – cars from March 2001 onwards are taxed according to emissions, and from 2006, the amount charged for the most polluting cars went up significantly.
Be sure to look up servicing costs and find out when a potential purchase last had work done, and when it’ll next need it. It’s also vital to get insurance quotes – if you’ll be switching an existing policy to the new car, your provider will be able to tell you the premium difference either on the phone or online. Neglect to sort any of the above, and that bargain buy might end up being costlier than expected.
Where to look?
Things have moved on from buying a printed collection of classified adverts from the newsagent. There are myriad websites used by both private sellers and dealerships, including the ubiquitous Auto Trader, which says it lists around 400,000 vehicles at any time. Looking there is a must, but it’s by no means the only place to search. Auto Express now has its own used car buyering service with used cars available from top dealers all over the country, as well as new ones, so you can buy your car directly through us.
Also, eBay Motors is an increasingly visible player in the used car world, and many – particularly at the cheaper end of the market – are turning to Facebook Marketplace to avoid the fees charged by more established sites.
Regardless of where you look, you’ll really need to do your homework when buying from a private seller because there’s precious little comeback if you buy a dud (see our top buying tips, opposite, for more).
Where to buy?
Manufacturers’ approved used car schemes at main dealers are still well worth a look, particularly for the additional levels of protection offered. They come recommended, but you’ll pay for that peace of mind.
Independent dealers generally have lower overheads, so are cheaper. And the ‘pile-em-high’ ethos of car supermarkets is fertile ground for a bargain. Buying from any dealer will mean you’re protected by consumer legislation, but it’s still worth doing your own checks – not least researching other ‘trade’ ads in the classifieds to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
For fresher cars, there’s a growing number of online services, including Auto Express Buy A Car, aiming to take the hassle out of the process by offering quality-checked vehicles delivered to your door. The entire experience is often little more involved than ordering from Amazon.
As well as thinking about which websites to search on, you also need to think about where, geographically, you’re willing to look. We’d always recommend going the distance if it seems to be the right car for the right price – ask for more details or extra photos from the seller if you’re not sure, and you’ll soon get a feel for whether or not it’ll be worth the risk of taking a long trip for nothing.
Things to know before you go and view a used car
Arm yourself with knowledge in advance. Buyers’ guides (of which Auto Express has an expansive online archive) make for invaluable reading, pointing out all the common problem areas to check and the right sort of questions to ask the seller before being tempted to reach for your wallet. Find out what recalls your model of choice has been subjected to so you can ensure the work has been done, and read up on the service schedule to check against documents of the vehicle’s history to see if your potential purchase has been looked after properly.
Looking up the MoT test history online is also a great way to work out how well cared for a car might have been, and what bills to expect in the future. Pay particular attention to the advisories – which of these on the latest test could turn into failures by the time of the next one? Are there any which have been neglected for a few years running?
Also check online for faults specific to the car you’re looking at, and check it over from nose to tail – you’ll find guides for all the big-name models on autoexpress.co.uk. And if you’re not confident, several big-name motoring organisations offer paid-for mechanical checks. They’ll give you peace of mind, and any faults that are detected could be used as a bargaining chip during the haggle.
Should anything not look right – or the numbers don’t stack up – don’t be afraid to walk away. There are plenty more cars out there, so don’t feel pressured into buying.
Used BMW 3 Series for sale
2020 BMW
3 Series
46,807 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £19,649
2022 BMW
3 Series
54,910 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £20,649
2022 BMW
3 Series
34,898 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £17,676
2022 BMW
3 Series
10,919 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £25,280
2022 BMW
3 Series
40,239 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £24,577
2022 BMW
3 Series
40,700 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £22,154
2022 BMW
3 Series
26,260 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £22,758
2022 BMW
3 Series
13,129 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £25,011
2022 BMW
3 Series
57,677 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £19,901Did you know you can buy a used car with Auto Express? Choose from tens of thousands of cars with trusted dealers around the UK. Click here to buy used with Auto Express now...
