Which automatic should I buy up to £20,000?
I'm going to be taking my driving test soon so am looking to buy a reliable automatic. My budget is £20,000. I think I need something the size of a saloon as I will be doing around 18,000 miles per year with frequent motorway trips (three people) but will also be driving in London frequently too. What should I buy?
Asked on 11 February 2022 by Damian
Answered by
Russell Campbell
It'll need to be ULEZ compliant to drive in London, which rules out most pre-2015 diesels – I'd run any car through the ULEZ checker before you buy.
Your budget is enough to get a 2018 BMW 3 Series 320d diesel in popular M Sport trim, which has sporty touches outside and in. The 3 Series is an excellent car on the motorway, where it will get great fuel economy, and most will have the optional eight-speed automatic fitted. It's ULEZ exempt, but will be subject to the congestion charge, given your projected mileage I'm assuming you won't be driving in central London where the CC applies.
The 3 Series is a Swiss Army Knife of a car – practical, easy to drive, cheap to run, but also fun. There are very few negatives.
Your budget is enough to get a 2018 BMW 3 Series 320d diesel in popular M Sport trim, which has sporty touches outside and in. The 3 Series is an excellent car on the motorway, where it will get great fuel economy, and most will have the optional eight-speed automatic fitted. It's ULEZ exempt, but will be subject to the congestion charge, given your projected mileage I'm assuming you won't be driving in central London where the CC applies.
The 3 Series is a Swiss Army Knife of a car – practical, easy to drive, cheap to run, but also fun. There are very few negatives.
Will you have to pay the low emissions charge?
Use our ULEZ checker to find out if your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges. Simply enter your number plate into the Honest John ULEZ checker to see if you will have to pay to enter the London Ultra Low Emission Zone.
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