A £15,000 budget means a broad choice of makes and models when used-car shopping.
You could pick a practical SUV, a city-friendly hatchback, or a spacious saloon. We've even tracked down some sporty options if you want a bit of power under your foot.
Here are our 10 favourite used cars that cost less than £15,000. All options are on recent number plates with low mileage so you can enjoy years of trouble-free motoring.
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia is the sensible, practical cousin of the Volkswagen Golf. Both cars are available for less than £15,000 but family buyers might be better served by the Skoda. Despite sharing lots of the Golf's parts, the Octavia has even more rear-seat space and a boot that's several hundreds of litres larger thanks to the car's saloon-like body style – perfect for pushchairs or holiday luggage. Your budget affords a wide selection of previous-generation Octavias built until early 2020, along with a few examples of the latest Octavia built from late 2020.
Browse used Skoda Octavia cars or read our Skoda Octavia review
Mazda CX-30
There are several budget-friendly models on this list, but settle yourself in the Mazda CX-30 and you might wonder what it's doing in this company. Material quality is excellent and everywhere you look there's evidence of its sophisticated yet understated design. Mazda's used plenty of clever tech to make its engines feel punchy – despite not using turbocharging like most rivals – lending them a smooth, linear feel that enthusiastic drivers will enjoy. The CX-30 is just large enough to work as a small family car, as long as rear passengers aren't too tall.
Search used Mazda CX-30 cars or read our Mazda CX-30 review
Nissan Qashqai
Early examples of the current-generation Nissan Qashqai are now available for less than £15,000. These cars feel substantially more modern than the Qashqai they replaced, with better-quality materials and a totally overhauled infotainment system. The new version still has the best qualities of its predecessor, however, including its supple suspension setup and easygoing driving experience, as well as enough all-round practicality for most families of four, with lots of cargo space and easy rear-seat access.
Shop used Nissan Qashqai cars for sale or read our Nissan Qashqai review
Mini Hatchback
Few small cars are as desirable as the Mini Hatchback. This city car is achingly cool with plush upholstery, a retro circular dashboard containing the infotainment system, and plenty of neat details like its tactile chromed toggle switches. Your £15,000 budget buys a Hatchback with the popular 1.5-litre Cooper petrol engine, or can stretch to the 2.0-litre Cooper S hot hatch if you're happy with a slightly older model. If you have the ability to charge an EV at home, you could save a bundle by picking an electric Hatchback too.
View used Mini Hatchback cars or read our Mini Hatchback review
Citroen C5 Aircross
Large SUVs invariably come with bigger price tags, so you need to spend your £15,000 tactically if you need lots of space. The Citroen C5 Aircross might be the perfect choice, however, because this practical SUV has plenty of space in all five seats – in part, thanks to the three separate seats on the rear row. You'll also find a cavernous cargo area behind the seats, which can rival a small van with the back seats folded. Inside, you can spot where money has been saved with some scratchy plastics but the overall design is simple and appealing.
Check out used Citroen C5 Aircross cars or read our Citroen C5 Aircross review
Toyota Yaris
Older Toyota Yaris models always impressed with their durability but couldn't match the style of their sharpest-suited rivals. Thankfully, Toyota's given the latest model a clean-sheet refresh and it's worked wonders. The body is compact and curvy, with protruding wheelarches that – with a generous squint – echo the styling of original VW Beetles. Inside, there are more interesting curves and lines to give the Yaris a more distinctive visual character. All versions come with Toyota's excellent automatic-only 1.5-litre hybrid engine for smooth acceleration and excellent fuel economy.
See a choice of used Toyota Yaris cars or read our Toyota Yaris review
SEAT Leon
Your £15,000 budget is just enough for the latest eighth-gen Volkswagen Golf, but the most recent SEAT Leon gives you a bit more for your money. It’s the same car underneath, because the Leon shares many of the new Golf's parts and engines. While you miss out on some of the Golf's prestige, the Leon drives in a very similar manner with excellent composure and refinement. Plus, it arguably has even sharper looks thanks to the deeply sculpted bodywork. Practicality remains strong with enough space in the boot and rear seats for buyers with a small family.
Shop used SEAT Leon cars for sale or read our SEAT Leon review
Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Older Vauxhall Mokkas struggled to stand out, but the latest model gives the car a sharp-suited new look complete with its beady 'visor' front end. Your £15,000 budget will cover an early example of the current Mokka, possibly with the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, but stiff first-year depreciation means battery-powered Mokkas are actually more affordable. As our explainer on electric car depreciation shows, this represents a great opportunity for savvy second-hand shoppers, especially if they can charge their Mokka at home.
Shop used Vauxhall Mokka cars for sale or read our Vauxhall Mokka review
Ford Fiesta
With the Fiesta no longer in production, now’s the ideal time to buy a nearly new one with just a few thousand miles on the clock. It’s fun, frugal and familiar – and it’s just the right size. Big enough to fit four adults and a couple of suitcases comfortably, but small enough to thread through medieval city streets and less-than-generous car parks. You can also find examples of the slightly bigger Puma for this money, but we’ve chosen the Fiesta as it’s more widely available and comes with a greater range of trim levels to choose from.
Shop used Ford Fiesta cars for sale or read our Ford Fiesta review
Skoda Scala
The Skoda Scala squeezes into the space between the smaller Fabia hatchback and the Octavia. It's a good choice if you need a car that can carry a small family or fairly frequent rear-seat passengers, without being so unwieldy that it struggles to fit in city-centre parking spaces. Like its siblings throughout the Czech brand's lineup, the Scala is a doddle to live with thanks to its impressive practicality, ergonomic dashboard and effortless, composed driving experience. All models include air con, cruise control, rear parking sensors and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Search used Skoda Scala cars or read our Skoda Scala review
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