Looking for the best used cars under £1,000? It’s getting harder to find a good second hand car on a tight budget at the moment, but if you’re prepared to overlook mainstream models in favour of less obvious choices you can still find reliable (and interesting) transport.
There’s still a lot on offer at this end of the price range, though dealers are less keen on stocking it. Popular, well-known models that owners used to sell cheap because a new car was incoming are now in high demand, and both private sellers and traders will push the asking price up if it has a long MOT and looks good.
While most cars in this price range will be in poor condition or in need of work a bit of searching can turn up good examples. You can start by checking Parkers cars for sale near you to get an idea of what dealers have to offer – few will risk marketing a genuinely bad car here, but may have trade ins to sell.
Looking for some inspiration? Here’s what we’d look for in this budget. We’ve chosen a selection of cars that cover off style, image, reliability and usability – showing you just what a diverse range of models is available to those willing to search out the ideal car.
Best used cars under £1,000
Timeless and entertaining small hatch
These days a working MINI Cooper S (with the 163hp supercharged engine) is more likely to cost £3,000-plus, but the standard 115hp MINI One or Cooper offers plenty of power for everyday driving.
Problems to watch out for:
Focus on the the gearbox and electrics – issues with the gearbox are well-known. Overall build quality and rust resistance is a cut above many cheap small cars of the era. Compared with a similar age of Fiesta or Fabia the MINI’s got personality, and personality goes a long way.
Read the MINI (2001-2006) used review and buying guide
Pros
- Lovely steering
- Fun handling
- Lots to choose from
Cons
- Flaky early examples
- Gearbox issues
A true all-rounder and great value for money
Lots of examples available for around £1,000, although increasing that to £1,500 gives you far more piece of mind.
Problems to watch out for:
Look out for limp-home modes masquerading as expensive misfires, and noisy suspension with vague steering. The build quality of these Mk2 Focus cars is far better than the first-generation cars, although reliability was less impressive.
Manual gearbox diesels are known for clutch and DMF issues as well as emissions-system problems common to all modern diesel cars. The sophisticated key and immobiliser system can also cause issues, particularly if the battery in the car is draining quickly and goes flat.
Read the Ford Focus (2005-2011) used review and buying guide
Pros
- Roomy and practical
- Cheap parts and servicing
- Lots of choice
Cons
- Less interesting than the Mk1
- Some electronics issues
Versatile cabriolet for families
Both models offer decent space for four adults with excellent seats, good refinement with the roof up thanks to the glass rear window and multi-layer top, and passable luggage space. The 1.8t Vector has respectable performance, but the Aero is the one to find if you want real excitement – however, they tend to be beyond this budget, though, unless they’re projects.
Problems to watch out for:
Neglected Saabs are expensive to put right. Oil sludge in the four-cylinder, timing chain on the V6, slipping clutch/slurred changes on the automatic gearbox, and roof synchronisation issues.
Read the Saab 9-3 Convertible review
Pros
- Good-looking and classless
- Genuine room for four
- Efficient 2.0-litre engines
Cons
- Hoods are getting troublesome
- Suspension and steering issues
Stylish family car that’s good to drive and reliable
The bulletproof reliablility of the previous 626 did take a bit of dent here thanks to some parts sharing with Ford, but overall it’s still a dependable choice at this price point. Your £1,000 example won’t be particularly low mileage or well equipped, but it will be roomy for your family and good to drive.
Problems to watch out for:
The car’s biggest failing at this age is rust – so look closely at any example you’re considering buying.
Read the Mazda 6 review
Pros
- Decent room for your family
- Excellent petrol engines
- More reliable than rivals
Cons
- Less choice than Vectra or Mondeo
- Watch out for rust
Cheeky looks, with space for four
The boot might not be able to fit everyone’s luggage (just pack carefully), and the interior is pretty basic, but higher-spec Eleganza or special edition models should be in budget, so you at least get alloys wheels, electric front windows and air-conditioning. Engine power looks modest nowadays, but the Panda is light and provides all you need in stop-start traffic.
Problems to watch out for:
Rust on rear axle and subframes, noisy gearbox, general wear. Body rust can be an issue but is more likely on coastal cars. Some trim and electrical parts, such as lights are remarkably expensive.
Read the Fiat Panda (2004-2011) used review
Pros
- Cheap as chips to buy and run
- City friendly dimensions
- Tough and rugged
Cons
- Underpowered on the motorway
- Basic models really are spartan
Getting on, but still as well-engineered as ever
Your choices are down to the three- or five-door hatchback and 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrols. At the time, it was criticised for not being available as a diesel, but that’s no drawback now.
Problems to watch out for:
Engines are reliable, there are some rust minor issues to contend with, and the interior isn’t as solid as we’d like. But overall, a cracking buy for your money, despite some high parts prices.
Read the Honda Civic (2000-2005) used review
Pros
- Reliable and efficient
- Roomy interior
- Well engineered
Cons
- Expensive parts
- Some rust issues
Dull, dependable and as reliable as you’d expect
Think of the Getz as being the perfect car to recommend to someone who just wants a reliable car to get them from A-to-B.
Problems to watch out for:
There are few issues to report aside from looking out for worn out consumables, but beware that some Hyundai-specific parts can be expensive compared with European counterparts.
Read the Hyundai Getz (2002-2009) review
Pros
- Reliable
- Economical
- Cheap to buy
Cons
- Dull as ditchwater
- Some parts are expensive
Ageing well, but still suffers from a charisma bypass
There are a lot of diesels around at this price point, and they’re hugely economical with the 1.9-litre being particularly dependable. But if you’re anywhere near London or any of the emerging ULEZ zones, you’ll probably want one of the petrols. The 2.0-litre is reasonably economical and peppy, but you’ll still pay a handsome premium for a good one.
Problems to watch out for:
Neglected automatic gearboxes, window mechanisms, failing heater, rear window detaching on convertibles.
Read the Audi A4 (2000-2007) review
Pros
- Nice interior
- Cut-above image
- Excellent 2.0-litre petrol engine
Cons
- Not as reliable as you’d think
- Expensive to fix
A small SUV for under a grand? It’s possible thanks to this left-field choice
Don’t worry about reliabiity – it’s a rebadged Suzuki SX4, and considerably cheaper than its Japanese cousin. The engine and drivetrain is bulletproof, interior tough and rugged, and it’s also pretty solid to drive. Downsides are its rarity – you’ll struggle to find one – some parts prices are high, and it’s not especially economical.
Problems to watch out for:
Watch out for rusty subframes, and low oil pressure warning on diesels.
Read the Fiat Sedici (2006-2005) review
Pros
- It’s an SUV
- Four-wheel drive available
- Suzuki reliability
Cons
- Rare, so hard to find
- Some underbody rust issues
Small hatch that’s reliable and excellent in town
The base 1.0-litre four-cylinder can feel underpowered, but the 1.3-litre unit is much more usable without being much less economical or more to insure.
Problems to watch out for:
Underbody rust, evidence of accident damage and general wear and tear items, such as a slipping clutch or noisy gearbox. Water pumps should be changed regularly as well.
Read the Toyota Yaris (1999-2005) review
Pros
- Cheap to buy
- Inexpensive to run
- Reliable
Cons
- Not particularly fun
- Tight rear headroom
A bit more of a stretch
You might be lucky and find an example of one the following cars for your money, but sub-£1,000 examples have now pretty much fallen off the radar. They’re not impossible to find at this price point, but you’ll be exceedingly lucky thanks to rising values and increasing interest in cars now falling comfortably into the modern classic arena.
User-friendly affordable roadster
Problems to watch out for:
As with any Ford of this era watch out for rust – though unlike the MX-5, the rust is generally very obvious, usually found around the sills and boot floor, and easy to fix if the rest of the car is in good order. Other than that, the engine is robust, the suspension cheap and easy to maintain, and the interior, hardwearing with a surprisingly large boot.
Read the Ford StreetKa review
Compact executive with quality feel
Interior styling is far from dull, despite the restrained exterior. This is the car that launched a thousand aftermarket taillights; it has merits beyond such gaudy trinkets, particularly the 24 valve VVTi engine. Now very much a modern classic, your most realistic option at this price point is by buying a project car with work to do.
Read the Lexus IS200 review
Coupe style with low running costs
You can choose from a few petrol engines, starting with a 1.4 litre and heading up to the 1.7-litre, and it’s the latter we’d aim for. The number on the market through dealers is falling, so check out the Puma section of the Ford owner’s club if you’re looking for something to keep and look after.
Read the Ford Puma review
You can still find bargains from licensed, professional traders
Most independent dealers will offer cheap trade-in cars if they have a reasonable amount of MOT remaining, for a short period, just to get that balance of the sale back quickly. They are unlikely to put a bad car up for sale this way – it'll go to auction or further down the chain to amateur dealers or dodgy fake private sellers. It's not worth a hard-won reputation selling a customer a bad car for little profit.
Be a good buyer to get the best deals
While consumer rights legislation applies to sales from dealers, that law is based around reasonable expectations of condition. A cheap car will have problems, wear, and need maintenance; a dealer may offer to do some things, for an extra cost, if they have a workshop. Don't expect it to be done free when a garage charges a fifth of the car's value for an oil change.
You will get plenty of time to check the car over and discuss any issues. Treat the dealer with respect, and you're more likely to hear about the next low-value, but good, part-exchange they receive.
Pros
- Trading standards oversight
- Consumer rights apply
- Cars not worth risking reputation
Cons
- Be prepared to travel
- Don't expect perfection
- Cars may have short MOT
* Prices based on examples found on Parkers Cars for Sale and limited to availability. Similar examples may be on offer via classifieds, small ads and online auction or marketplace listings.
Parkers Top Buying Tips
As with all used purchases, do remember to get a car history check. It might just save you from an unpleasant surprise later down the line. Also, don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.
How to buy the best used cars under £1,000
At this price take your time looking over the car. Things like tyres, brakes, chipped or cracked windscreens, even neglected timing belt services make little difference to the asking price, but a big difference to your potential running costs and happiness.
Be choosy, and avoid backstreet dealers unless they’re near a large, main brand franchise that’s offering an unusually good trade-in (rare, but not impossible) and have a decent amount of stock at the upper end of the price range as well. It may also be worth considering a written-off older car with a category marker – it doesn’t take much cosmetic damage to get a Cat S or N on perfectly good cars over ten years old.
Also, let your family and friends know you are looking in case they are about to trade something in or stop driving. Save your time and fuel looking at shabby cars by checking the MOT history online before enquiring.
Few dealers are able to offer MOT’d, reliable cars at this price, but if you want a project or can accept a short MOT it’s still worth talking to your local trade/cheap car trader in case they get offered something and don’t have the space or funds to take it. When it comes to rarer or more specialised cars, we recommend looking for owner’s club websites and active Facebook groups.
Now freelance, Richard Kilpatrick worked across several roles with us at Parkers and in Bauer’s Automotive team. We are a close-knit group here so has been able to get stuck into helping with buying guides, reviewing and road-testing cars, editing our newsletters, and more. They offer advice from their years of experience and a chance for you to learn from the mistakes they have made!
