Buying a used car for £4000 - what do you recommend? | Ask Honest John

Buying a used car for £4000 - what do you recommend?

I'm looking to buy a reliable used estate or hatchback. I have approximately £4000 to spend, but want something that will have a good resale value to trade in for a newer car in February. I cover 300 miles a week on a mixture of long and short trips. What do you recommend I buy?

Asked on 29 September 2013 by Opsontap

Answered by Honest John

If you buy in October, at auction, you should get your money back in February. The reason is a glut of part exchanges in October from the September plate change at a time of year when demand is generally slack in the run-up to Christmas.

I'd go for a KIA Cee'd SW or Hyundai i30 SW. Do NOT buy a Ford Focus diesel estate for £4000, otherwise it could cost you that figure again in repairs.

Tags: auctions buying a used car

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Related models

Hyundai i30 (2007 - 2012)

Well equipped. Refined. Good ride and handling. Economical. Available as a 1.6 diesel auto, which is rare. Five-year unlimited mile warranty.

Kia Cee'd (2007 - 2010)

Designed for Europe. Built in Slovakia. Excellent 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel engines. Decent quality and handling. Seven year powertrain warranty.