When someone says second hand, it may bring back nightmares of your first ever car – the dreaded hand-me-down old banger. The one that used to breakdown outside the school gates while you were trying to impress your mates. Personally, we prefer the term “pre-loved” and it’s not something to be sneered at – there are some amazing savings to be made by going second hand. If you’re buying privately and are unsure what to look out for, check out this handy guide from the Citizens Advice Bureau on buying second hand.
New cars suffer from steep depreciation within the first few months of their life. In fact, the average new car loses up to 20% of its value just for being registered and driven off the showroom forecourt. This can translate to real savings for you – on an average £14,000 hatchback, you could save £2800 against the new purchase price, just for getting a car with a few warm-up miles on it. Let’s take a look at some of the best deals around in 2014.
VW Up!
The VW Up! is a fantastic city car with VW’s premium quality feel. Having won What Car’s ‘City Car Of The Year’ award in 2013, it’s a desirable little supermini and, as such, it’s still in strong demand. Expect to pay between £6000-8000 for the Up! depending on model and condition. The Up! makes a perfect first car for new drivers – it’s easy, fun and practical to drive.
Ford Fiesta
Ford released a facelifted version of the Fiesta in 2013, meaning great savings on the older version as demand shifted. The Fiesta has continually won awards over the years and is constantly recognised as the supreme leader of the small car category. Low running and maintenance costs, classic Ford reliability and the Fiesta’s excellent drivability make it a serious contender for anyone in pursuit of the ultimate bargain. Prices vary quite dramatically depending on age and mileage – you can expect to get a pre-2013 Fiesta in good condition for between £5000-10,000.
Nissan Qashquai
Set to be replaced with a new model this year, now is the time to get your hands on this award-winning SUV crossover. You can expect to get your hands on an old model Qashqai for between £7000-12000. With its impeccable safety record, you get plenty of bang for your buck with the Qashqai – this roomy crossover is perfect for families, with plenty of space, quality and refinement all around.
BMW 3 Series
Fancy getting your hands on some serious luxury? Now you can, with great savings to be had across the BMW 3 series range. Firmly holding position as the definitive executive saloon, the 3 series has received numerous accolades due to its build quality, refinement and handling. There’s a wide range of choice when it comes to looking for a second hand 3 series – we suggest doing some research into which model you are after before starting your search. Expect to pay at least £6000 for a well used 3 series, and up to £27,000 for newer, high spec versions.
Mini One
The new Mini has been in demand since its launch, and the demand seems to be insatiable – with good reason – it’s simply fantastic to drive. Much of the handling qualities which made the original Mini cooper so popular have been retained in its modern day counterpart. Sitting low to the ground, driving the Mini is like driving a giant go-kart, keeping tight lines in the corners with responsive and direct steering. You can expect a decent, used Mini One to set you back anywhere between £6000-14,000 depending on age, specification and mileage. Second hand is the way to go if you fancy a piece of the Mini pie.
Did you know you can get second hand cars on finance? If you need a little extra help getting your hands on your next dream machine, look no further than the Car Loan Warehouse. We’re specialists in both new and second hand car finance. Already got a car in mind? Use our car loan calculator to see how much you could save.