£15,000 gives you plenty of choice on the used-car market.
You could pick a practical SUV, a city-friendly hatchback, or a spacious saloon. These are all recent models too, so they come loaded with the latest mod cons and infotainment tech.
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 a few hundred 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 early versions of the latest Octavia built from late 2020.
Browse used Skoda Octavia cars or read our Skoda Octavia review
Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai – built right here in Sunderland – is an easy recommendation for family buyers. It's smartly sized for British roads, with enough space for a family of four to get comfy, while being compact enough to tackle congested city streets. Material quality has taken a noticeable step up over older Qashqais, with soft-touch materials and stitched details used throughout the cabin. £15,000 will buy an early current-gen Qashqai along with a wide choice of high-end previous-gen Qashqais if you want lots of standard equipment.
Search used Nissan Qashqai cars or read our Nissan Qashqai review
Ford Puma
If you've outgrown the Ford Fiesta, the Puma is the obvious next step. Like the Fiesta, the Puma has just enough space inside for four adults, and an easy-to-use dashboard. And, being based on the Fiesta also means the Puma still has some driving sparkle. The chain-driven EcoBoost mild-hybrid engine is a delight, with peppy performance and the promise of over 52mpg. Get a manual one and you'll enjoy the sweet gearshift every time you get behind the wheel. The Puma impresses further with a big boot and lengthy equipment list.
Shop used Ford Puma cars for sale or read our Ford Puma 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
Dacia Jogger
The Dacia Jogger is a masterclass in unpretentious but clever design. It's clear that Dacia took a long hard look at what's necessary and what's not – the entry-level Jogger gets bright LED headlights so you can see well at night, air con for all-weather comfort, cruise control to make long journeys easier and rear parking sensors to stop you bumping its big bum. There's no screen on the basic model, but you can use the smartphone in your pocket as one, and only the essential driver aids are included – extra systems add cost and a frustrating user experience. While a frugal hybrid is available, the 1.0-litre petrol is a good all-rounder, with decent enough performance, strong MPG figures and low insurance costs. We haven't even mentioned that the Jogger comes with seven seats as standard. Look for used seven-seaters for under £15,000 and your other options are largely double the age and mileage of a Jogger.
Shop used Dacia Jogger cars or read our Dacia Jogger 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
Renault Captur
The Renault Captur is far from the only choice in the small SUV class but, for some drivers, it might be the best. Unlike so many rivals that trade away ride quality for the sake of 'sporty' handling, the Captur has well-judged suspension that glides over bumps like cars costing many thousands more. And it has a comfortable, neatly designed cabin to go with its cushioned ride, plus an admirably fuss-free infotainment system. Your £15,000 buys a pre-facelift example of the current Captur, and even stretches to versions with the smooth hybrid engine.
Shop used Renault Captur cars or read our Renault Captur review
Vauxhall Mokka
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. A £15,000 budget means a reasonably wide choice of nearly new Mokka models, including versions with the flexible 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine. However, if you can charge at home, EV Mokkas are even cheaper on the used market, and come with lower running costs and an automatic gearbox as standard.
Shop used Vauxhall Mokka cars or read our Vauxhall Mokka review
Volkswagen Golf
Chances are, you already know what the Volkswagen Golf's all about, considering it's been on sale for half a century. This family hatchback delivers a consistent, easygoing ownership experience, with understated styling and predictable handling. Latest models are possibly a little over-reliant on their touchscreens but, once you've acclimatised, it starts to make a bit more sense. £15,000 gives lots of choice among seventh-gen Golfs built through to 2020, along with more affordable examples of the current eight-gen Golf.
Search used Volkswagen Golf cars or read our Volkswagen Golf review
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