Best used cars under £2,000

Skoda Fabia

The Mk2 Skoda Fabia (2007-2014) shares its oily bits and many parts with the Polo, so it’s like getting a Volkswagen on the cheap. Available as a five-door, the Fabia has a large boot, so practicality isn’t an issue. The Fabia Estate is even more spacious and is ideal if you’ve got a dog or you enjoy visiting the recycling centre every weekend. There’s a range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, each one with an emphasis on fuel economy and low costs. Aside from the vRS hot hatch, it’s not fun to drive, but for comfort and ease of use, the Fabia is hard to beat.

Ford Fiesta

Choice is one thing you won’t be short of when buying a used Ford Fiesta. A budget of £2,000 is enough for a Mk6 (2002-2008) or early Mk7 (2008-2013) car, but in either case the Fiesta is nicer to drive than any of its supermini rivals. Cars built after the 2006 facelift look better, but all versions are practical, especially if you opt for a five-door model. There isn’t a weak link in the Fiesta range, but a 1.25-litre Zetec engine is probably the best all-rounder as it's peppy in the city and good for long distances. A Fiesta Ghia will feel a little more upmarket.

• Read our full Ford Fiesta review

Honda Civic

The Mk8 Honda Civic (2005-2012) is proof that spending £2,000 doesn’t mean ending up with something dull. Its space-age styling still looks otherworldly in 2022, while the dashboard design is more radical than you’ll find in the Civic’s contemporary rivals. Your rear-seat passengers might feel a bit claustrophobic, but you’ll love the ‘Magic Seats’, which fold up to allow carrying tall objects in the rear footwells. There isn’t a weak engine in the Civic range, but the 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel is a highlight. The 1.8-litre petrol also warrants a mention for its smooth acceleration.

• Read our full Honda Civic review

MINI Hatch

Few cars age as well as the MINI Hatch. It helps that MINI, under the ownership of BMW, has adopted an evolutionary approach to every new model launch, so the Mk2 (2006-2013) doesn’t look too dissimilar to the current model. In fact, we’d argue that it looks better. All versions are great to drive, so it all comes down to the choice of engine and trim level. The 1.6-litre petrol would be our pick, because it offers an excellent blend of performance and fuel economy. Look out for cars with a number of options from the extensive MINI personalisation catalogue – you’ll get more for your money.

Hyundai Coupe

A budget of £2,000 isn’t enough for a Ferrari, but if you squint a little, the Hyundai Coupe looks like it could have rolled out of the Maranello factory. OK, we might be pushing things a little, but the Hyundai looks more attractive than most other cars at this end of the market. You’re unlikely to find a Coupe with the 2.7-litre V6 engine for this price, but the four-cylinder 2.0 is a good alternative. The seats in the back are ideal for children, while the big boot will swallow your shopping bags with ease. It’s a coupe you can buy with your head and your heart.

Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat (2005-2010) represents incredible value for money on the used market. Feeling a little more upmarket than its mainstream rivals, the Passat is a spacious, comfortable and robust saloon or estate car. Your rear-seat passengers will have no complaints, because there’s plenty of room back there, while the boot is big, even on the saloon version. Diesel engines offer excellent fuel economy, but we’d recommend the 2.0-litre common-rail diesel, introduced in 2009, because the old direct injection unit is a little unrefined by modern standards. The interior isn’t the last word in excitement, but few cars feel as comfortable on a long motorway drive.

Ford Mondeo

Here’s a fun fact: the Ford Mondeo (2007-2014) was the first car driven by James Bond in the Daniel Craig era. Still want that Aston Martin, etc? We’re not going to pretend that the Mondeo feels as good behind the wheel as a DB5, but it’s hard to fault its ride and handling, so you won’t be shaken or stirred. Even the entry-level Edge trim boasts a long list of equipment, including a very handy heated windscreen. There’s also a wide range of engines to choose from, including some excellent and very long-legged diesel units. It’s a car large enough for five adults or one massive movie star.

Volkswagen Eos

We wanted to include a convertible on our list of the best used cars under £2,000, so why have we chosen the Volkswagen Eos? For a start, it’s a coupe-cabriolet, so you can enjoy the security and all-weather comfort of a coupe, plus the style and freedom of a convertible. It also feels a cut above its mainstream rivals, with a quality cabin and a general sense of solidity. The roof also features a sunroof, which is handy if the weather’s not good enough to get the top down. It’s a clever folding mechanism, but check for signs of neglect.

Vauxhall Zafira

The Mk2 Vauxhall Zafira was on sale from 2005 until 2014. It provided practical, flexible and generally reliable transport for thousands of families across the UK, but the earliest examples are beginning to show their age. Vehicles such as the Zafira are rarely cherished, with many people using them as tireless workhorses. We’d avoid the 1.9-litre CTDi diesel engine, because while it’s economical, it doesn’t boast the best record for reliability. The petrol engines are less troublesome, but don’t expect great performance when all seven seats are occupied. Get the highest specification you can find, because the basic versions are, well, basic.

Toyota Avensis

Buying something like a Mk2 Toyota Avensis will reduce the chances of ending up with a lemon. It’s a car loved by fleet managers and cabbies, and while even this fact is one of the least exciting things you’ll read today, it does mean that it’s a car you can rely upon. The diesel engines are reliable and economical, especially the 2.0-litre D-4D, introduced in 2006. This was when Toyota rolled out a comprehensive facelift, so buying a later Avensis is recommended. A practical Avensis estate is available if you need more space, but all versions should provide years of loyal service.