Top 10: Used family cars for £7000
If you're in the market for a practical family hatchback or saloon, you're in luck – as there are plenty to choose from. A budget of £7000 gets you lots of choice so, if you’re seeking a good used family car, here are ten of the best options around.
Kia Cee’d 2012-2018
A Kia Cee'd is a wise choice if you're seeking hassle-free and reliable motoring. For less than £7000 you can get an example that's only three or four years old from a dealer – which means a substantial amount of the original seven-year warranty remaining. The Cee’d is also neatly styled, comfortable, spacious and durable. It’s not the most exciting car around – but it can tackle everything that family life throws at it.
Toyota Auris 2013-2019
It's a drum we bang repeatedly, but if you want reliability when buying a used car, look for a Toyota. While the Auris may be far from the most exciting car to drive, you know it's highly unlikely to ever go wrong. Sadly our £7000 budget won't stretch to a hybrid, they hold their value strongly like the Prius, but there are plenty of well cared for petrol and diesel five-year-old models around.
>>Find a used Toyota Auris for sale
| List Price from | £20,190 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £14,764 |
| Contract hire from | £158.98 per month |
Ford Focus 2014-2018
It’s impossible not to include the Focus in our list as it has so much going for it – including, unlike some alternatives, being a gratifying car to drive. A range of efficient petrol and diesel engines are on offer and, for £7000, it’s possible to pick up a three-year-old example with less than 70,000 miles on the clock. The 1.5 TDCi is ideal for high mileage drivers looking for economy.
>>Find a used Ford Focus for sale
| List Price from | £18,540 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £14,167 |
| Contract hire from | £179.77 per month |
Skoda Octavia 2013-onwards
The Octavia is one of our favourite cars and it sticks to a strong formula. It’s practical, well equipped and very comfortable – all along with good fuel economy and, of course, plenty of space. There are plenty of 1.6 TDI models around at this model and while the engine isn't the nicest around, it is economical. But if you're doing lower mileages, look for a 1.2 TSI which has more than enough get up and go.
Mazda 6 2013-onwards
We think the Mazda 6 offers an impressive blend of handsome styling and family friendly practicality. For our budget you’ll find plenty of six year old examples with low mileages. Most will be fitted with 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines - the latter is the one to go for with Real MPG of 45mpg+. All models are well equipped with Sport Nav or SE-L Nav the ones to look for.
>>Find a used Mazda 6 for sale
| List Price from | £23,590 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £17,943 |
| Contract hire from | £176.40 per month |
Honda Civic 2012-2017
If you want versatility and practicality in your hatchback, the Civic is the car to go for. There's generous room and the clever Magic Seats cleverly fold down - with the seat base sliding forward and down - to create a flat load floor with a huge load space. The 1.8 i-VTEC would be our choice and EX models come well equipped.
Citroen C4 Cactus 2014-onwards
The Cactus may look quirky but it's also a family-friendly car with plenty of interior space while a forgiving ride makes it comfortable even with four on board. The good news is that £7000 gets you lots of choice, with lots of below average mileage three and four year old models around. The 1.2 Puretech is the best engine to go for.
>>Find a used Citroen C4 Cactus for sale
| List Price from | £22,080 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £18,034 |
| Contract hire from | £169.20 per month |
Volvo V40 2012-onwards
The V40 may feel a little dated alongside Volvos newer models (indeed this generation will not be replaced) but it represents good value for money as a used car if you're after something with an upmarket feel. There are plenty of higher mileage examples on the used market but the V40 is proving durable and reliable - just be wary of the the 2.0D which can suffer from EGR problems.
Peugeot 308 2014-onwards
We think the 308 is a much underrated car - it's genuinely good enough to compete with the likes of the Honda Civic and ever-popular Ford Focus. We like the minimal interior, its small steering wheel and the keen handling. Plus it comes with the excellent 1.2-litre Puretech petrol engine which is one of the best small turbo engines around.
BMW 1 Series
While the BMW 1 Series does have some areas that need improvement, namely the lack of standard equipment list and its middling practicality, it still offers an undeniably appealing blend of precise handling lustre and executive-schmooze. For this money there's plenty of choice, such has been the small BMW's popularity, but the 116i is cheap to run and would be our choice.