Looking for the best value for money when buying your next car? Start by choosing from the UK’s most reliable used cars. Parkers bring you 10 of the most dependable second hand cars, plus the 10 most reliable approved-used cars to buy in 2024. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find a car that won’t let you down.
Which is important, because our research shows that reliability is the one of the main buying consideration among Parkers’ readers when looking to purchase their next car. We’ve compared info from aftermarket warranty provider, Warrantywise, which releases real-world claims data – including average cost – with the results from the latest Fleet News FN50 awards that reveal the top ten most reliable new and nearly-new cars over the lifespan of a typical lease.
The resulting line-up is heavily skewed towards Japanese and Korean cars, but there’s good news if you like BMWs or fancy a Tesla. The aftermarket warranty claims data suggests Toyota, Hyundai and Kia won’t be regretting their long manufacturer guarantees.
Top 10 most reliable approved-used cars to buy in 2024
With data from the largest fleets in the UK and based on a typical three-year lease, these are the pick of the crop you can buy from a typical franchised/main dealer when buying an approved-used car. The FN50 Most Reliable list is based on unplanned days off the road, excluding punctures, and as such doesn’t just reflect the reliability of the cars. There is also an aspect of how efficient and effective the dealers are are repairing issues when they do come up.
| FN50 rating 2023 (2023) | Most reliable fleet cars over three years |
|---|---|
| 1 (1) | BMW 3 series |
| 2 (4) | Toyota Corolla |
| 3 (-) | Hyundai Tucson |
| 4 (3) | Audi A4 |
| 5 (-) | Kia Sportage |
| 6 (2) | Tesla Model 3 |
| 7 (9) | Honda Civic |
| 8 (7) | Audi A3 |
| 9 (8) | Volvo XC40 |
| 10 (10) | Toyota C-HR |
Fleet News also looks at the most reliable brand – and in 2023, BMW lost the top spot to Toyota. Combined with the innovative 10-year warranty scheme, Toyota remains our top recommendation if you’re buying a second hand car for the first time and just need reliable transport.
Reliable, affordable used cars to buy in 2024
Based on warranty claims, MOT pass rates and your reviews in the Parkers owners’ reviews section. All our car reviews include a link to real-world experiences, and you can submit your own – good, bad or indifferent.
Editor’s pick: a used Toyota Auris
One to buy and keep forever if you want an easy life
Pros:
✅ Well-proven hybrid tech delivers great MPG
✅ Smooth and refined to drive
✅ Practical, roomy and easy to use
Cons:
❌ Can be expensive to fix
❌ Dull as ditchwater to drive
Toyota’s Auris is reliable, sensible and British-built. Plus it came with petrol and hybrid engines, the latter offering mpg in the seventies if driven serenely. No wonder so many taxi drivers pilot these models. Repair prices are relatively high, but there’s no escaping that it’s one of the most reliable cars around.
Read our full Toyota Auris review
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Hyundai i20
Capable, reliable, but not much fun
Pros:
✅ Long warranty means they tend to be looked after
✅ Roomy front and rear
✅ Cheap to buy
Cons:
❌ Parts prices quite high
❌ A rational, rather than emotional, purchase
Alongside the Japanese, Korean carmakers are building a strong reputation for reliability, starting with the Hyundai i20 on this list. A supermini that starts from less than £2,000, it has rock-solid reliability ratings and inexpensive to run engines.
Read our full Hyundai i20 review
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Toyota Aygo Mk1
Tiny tearaway that’s excellent fun to drive – one of the cheapest reliable used cars
Pros:
✅ Typically Toyota reliable
✅ Excellent dealer and warranty backup
✅ Inexpensive to run, good to drive
Cons:
❌ Small boot and rear seats
❌ A bit lost on the motorway
Toyota’s tiny city car is a great bet if you’re looking for inexpensive, reliable motoring and don’t need much space. As with the mechanically similar Peugeot 107, average repair costs are impressively low, while it also benefits from cheap insurance and running costs.
Read our full Toyota Aygo review
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Peugeot 107
Like an Aygo, but dealers make a difference
Pros:
✅ Great score for small French hatch
✅ Is this the perfect used first car?
✅ Cheap to run, great to drive
Cons:
❌ In reality, it’s a two-seater
❌ It has a lower score than the Toyota Aygo
One of Peugeot’s most reliable used cars, the 107 is a popular choice with learner drivers. Average repair prices are low, as are running costs and insurance premiums. Worth noting that this is mechanically nearly identical to the Toyota Aygo – the key difference is the rock-solid customer support Toyota offered in the first years the car was on the road.
Now these are bargain-basement second hand cars they should be judged on the example you’re looking at. if you can’t find a good Aygo near you, the 107 is a solid alternative.
Read our full Peugeot 107 review
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Used Suzuki Alto
Another pint-pot that’s impossible to ignore
Pros:
✅ Cheaper than walking
✅ Surprisingly fun
Cons:
❌ Not one for the motorway
❌ Getting on a bit now
It might have been off sale in the new car market since 2014, but the reliability of the pint-sized Alto remains undimmed all these years on. It’s a great example of a likeable, indecently cheap-to-run car that’s also fun to drive. It’s one of the most reliable used cars you can find for less than £2,000 these days. Overlook it at your peril.
Read our full Suzuki Alto review
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Kia Rio
Hard to find used, but well worth seeking out especially if still covered by the seven-year warranty
Pros:
✅ Well equipped
✅ That long warranty
✅ Good value
Cons:
❌ Gutless engines
❌ Dull to drive
Kia’s Rio supermini scores highly here. The most common fault relates to the gearbox, but the average repair cost is reasonably low. Early cars didn’t sell all that well, and owners appreciate the reliability and value for money. They are a bit harder to find on the used market in comparison with some of the cars on this list.
Read our full Kia Rio review
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Kia Ceed
Strange name, but a rational, reliable used choice
Pros:
✅ Excellent build quality
✅ Stylish, functional interior
✅ Lots of space inside
Cons:
❌ Flat seats
❌ Lack of driving engagement
South Korean carmaker Kia is well known for its impressive seven-year warranty and it looks like it has every right to offer such a huge guarantee. Common faults on this Ceed include wheel bearings, but the average repair price is usefully low and consumable items should not disqualify it from being considered one of the most reliable used cars.
Read our full Kia Ceed review
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Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) 2005-2014
A fabulous sports car that’s available at all prices – reliability is a bonus
Pros:
✅ Reliable sports car is a great combination
✅ Great to drive
✅ Can be cheap to run
Cons:
❌ Lots of abused examples out there
❌ Oldest models are getting rusty
Proof that reliable cars don’t need to be soulless. The Mazda MX-5 is renowned as one of the sweetest handling cars you can buy and the result for this third-generation ‘NC’ model proves it’s a worthwhile and sensible used motor too. Prices start from as low as £1,500, but watch out for rust.
Bear in mind that an aftermarket warranty is unlikely to cover things like a leaking roof.
Read our full Mazda MX-5 Mk3 used review and buying guide
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Mazda 2
The reliable supermini choice for keen drivers
Pros:
✅ Excellent reliability for interesting supermini
✅ Looks like a brand-new car
✅ Great to drive and economical engines
Cons:
❌ Lack of space in the rear
❌ Not as many dealers as bigger brands
The Mazda 2 is one of those great cars that annoyingly gets overlooked by more flamboyant opponents. It’s difficult to understand why, given its chic appearance and solid reliability – it’s also a fun car to drive, channelling some of the spirit that’s made the MX-5 such a global success story. As a new car it should take the space vacated by the Fiesta, but it’s a better used buy too if you’re looking at entry-level models.
Read our full Mazda 2 review
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Honda Jazz
A safe place to invest your money – and surprisingly brilliant to live with
Pros:
✅ Excellent fuel economy
✅ It’s highly unlikely to ever let you down
✅ Practical city runaround
Cons:
❌ Owners reluctant to give them up
❌ Parts prices higher than mainstream rivals
❌ Not many engine options
The previous-generation Honda Jazz has an enviable reputation for reliability and longevity that rival manufacturers would dearly love to replicate. With low failure rates and competitive parts prices, there’s no reason not to recommend a used Honda Jazz to any of your dearest relatives.
Read our full Honda Jazz review
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