Are you looking for the best family car under £5,000?
As a car dealership in Hampshire, we get asked this question a lot, so we have put together this list of popular second-hand cars that you can find for less than £5,000.
The good news is that there has never been so much excellent choice in the second-hand car market. Although you will not be able to afford the latest model, you will be surprised at the range of quality vehicles available for under £5,000.
The latest model may be slightly more fuel-efficient or have more improved technology, but the cars of only a few years ago still had a lot of luxurious features.
Things to consider when buying a used family car
If you are in the market for buying a used car, there are many things to consider before you part with your cash.
Safety
Many of the used cars available today carry a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating. This means that you could be driving a car for less than £5,000 which provides greater protection in a crash than second-hand cars of the past.
Fuel Efficiency
How much fuel will your choice of used car consume? By paying attention to MPG you can assess if a car that you want to buy will become too expensive as a fuel guzzler.
The higher the mpg, the more fuel-efficient your car will be.
Space
For a family car, you need to ensure that there is space enough for everyone to travel comfortably. Boot space is important too when you consider the amount of shopping that you need to bring home or sports equipment that your kids require for various clubs and activities.
Do you take the family pet out walking with you? If so, you should ensure that there is room for the dog too.
Journey Length
You need to also consider the types of journeys that you plan to take with your family. Are you going on long road trips every second weekend? Or do you mostly travel around town?
The longer the journey, the more reliable and comfortable your car needs to be. You also need to be aware of fuel consumption.
Choice
The great thing about buying a used car is that there is a wide selection of high-quality cars available to suit any budget.
Some of the most popular car makes and models were originally bought in plentiful supply. So you can find a wide selection with various accessories included.
Top family cars on a budget
The difference between a new car and the used cars currently available are not so extreme as you might think.
There are many excellent cars available today if you are searching for quality used cars. You can get vehicles of all sizes at a fraction of the cost of a new small city car.
So there are some great deals to be had.
If you are restricted to a tight budget of below £5,000, here are our top choices for used family cars that won't break the bank.
Suzuki Grand Vitara Mk3 (2005-2014)
The brand Suzuki is known throughout the world for offering great value. If you are looking for a hard-working four-wheel drive, these popular Japanese cars offer comfort and durability.
The MK3 can be easily purchased for under £5,000, which provides a real bargain for any family wanting to travel in this respectable SUV.
Before buying a Used Grand Vitara, check that it has been treated well. If it has been used extensively off-road, there may be reasons to move onto a vehicle which has been looked after.
For this reason, it may be worth investing in this SUV with the advice of a professional inspection.
The Grand Vitara is a robust vehicle and even at high mileage, this is a family car that won't let you down.
Citroen Nemo Multispace (2011)
The Nemo Multispace offers plenty of space for travelling around with the family.
Although this is not the fastest of vehicle, you will benefit from low emissions and reduced tax.
The interior is hard wearing so it can endure the toughest of requirements. This makes the Multispace great for transporting dogs or bikes after long weekend walks.
Toyota Yaris Mk3 (2011-2015)
For less than £5,000, the Toyota Yaris Mk3 is one of the most modern-feeling used cars available.
Toyota's popular supermini offers reliability and low running costs.
The high-quality reputation of Toyota comes from its record of dependability. Although the rival Ford Fiesta is better to drive than the Yaris, the Yaris is far more reliable than any Ford.
Several options are available in the used Yaris range. You can choose between the more lively 1.33-litre engine or the lower-priced 1.0. You can also find the economical 72mpg 1.4-litre diesel engine.
If you are looking for a trouble-free used car, there is no better option than the Toyota Yaris Mk3.
Suzuki Celerio (2017)
As one of the cheaper new cars available, the Suzuki Celerio is available for less than £5,000 in the used car market. This is thanks to it's small 1.0-litre engine.
A 2017 model will usually have less than 4000 miles on the clock yet still be within budget.
These are basic cars to suit city or town driving. So if you are looking for a nearly new car on a budget, this small family car is perfect.
Volvo XC90 Mk1 (2002-2014)
This Volvo SUV shows the value you can get for £5,000 in a used family car.
The 2.9-litre T6 model is powerful but not very fuel-efficient. For a more economical option, look out for the 2.4-litre D5 diesel.
The mileage of most used XC90s is usually quite high, but a well-maintained vehicle will not be affected by this.
Peugeot 407 SW Estate
If space is what you are looking for in a family car then the Peugeot 407 SW Estate offers just that.
These are practical vehicles that can transport all of your luggage with up to three kids on board.
There are plenty of low mileage models to be found as second-hand cars. But with a higher mileage than 25,000, you can get this car for much less than £5,000.
Because many of the 407's were used as company cars they are often available with a higher grade trim than the cars bought for private use.
BMW 1 Series Mk1 (2004-2011)
Designed to compete directly with Volkswagen Golf, when this stylish hatchback first arrived in 2004, it made a huge impact.
The BMW 1 Series offered responsive engines and excellent handling.
You can easily find examples of the 1 Series for less than £5,000 and many which have been upgraded.
It may be worth asking a professional to inspect this car before buying, as BMW owners are known to drive these cars hard.
Dacia Duster (2015)
Dacia Duster is a great second-hand option. Sold for £10,000 when new, you can find many used models for less than £5,000.
The build quality is tough and durable, with interiors built of hard-wearing plastic.
Most of the Dacia Dusters available are 2WD but if you are looking for a 4WD model, these can also be found.
Ford C-MAX Mk1 (2003-2010)
If you are looking for a compact MPVs, the Ford C-MAX is one of the best examples available.
There is much more room inside the C-MAX than a Ford Focus but still takes up the same space on the road.
Offering a good driving experience, you can usually pick up a Ford C-MAX for under £5,000.
You can find many newer examples with updated equipment. However, the newer models usually have high mileage from motorway use. If the previous owners provided regular maintenance, however, the high mileage is not a problem.
The Ford C-MAX Mk1 is the perfect family allrounder.
Ford S-MAX Mk1 (2006-2014)
The Ford S-MAX offers slightly more room than the C-MAX with seven seats available for the larger family.
The S-MAX has a sporty look and can work hard as your family run around.
You can drive in comfort and be confident of a safe drive since the C-MAX received a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating.
This is a mechanically hardy vehicle which means that even if it has a high mileage, it will not let you down.
Some common flaws to look out for include problems with air-conditioning, heated windscreens or stereos.
Mazda6 Mk2 (2008-2012)
The Mazda6 Mk2 offers a family car the size of a Ford Mondeo while looking more distinctive.
You will find these vehicles to be great for driving and offering impressive performance.
Models available include the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol engines and the 50mpg 2.2-litre diesel.
The main thing to look out for with this car is poor maintenance. This was a popular business car and commonly racked up a high mileage on motorway journeys.
On the Search for the best value family cars?
When you search for a practical family car, you need to find a model that offers high value for a low price.
There are many good examples of popular petrol and diesel engine cars that you can buy today.
Second-hand cars can save you money and can be bought on finance if you need help with finding the funds.
If you are looking for a wide range of family cars in Hampshire, we can help you buy a well-maintained make and model for below £5,000 to suit your needs.
Car Buyer Hampshire offer the best-used cars in Hampshire. Speaking to our sales team, we can work within your budget to find a car that offers reliability and a good price. You can save time and money when you buy your cars from our well-stocked showroom.