Best used cars for £10,000 and under | Autocar (2024)

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Fancy some great new wheels but on a budget? From Audi to Volkswagen, we’ve got you covered

Early versions were handicapped by a modest five-speed manual gearbox, but a Getrag six-speeder became standard in 2003.

As befits its blue-collar persona, mileages are generally highand gearboxes and suspension linkages have usually taken a hammering - but that doesn't mean you can't spot a diamond.

Mazda RX-8 (2003-2010)

This car takes accepted notions of purpose andlaughs in their faces.It’s a 1.3-litre rotary-engined, rear-driven, four-door coupé with performance capable enough to match a Golf GTI and styling busier than Times Square.

From its naturally aspirated Wankelyou can get 228bhp and 159 lb ft, and while that's probably less than you'd expect, it makes up for it. With a redline of 8250rpm, the rate at which this engine spins could match any contemporaryFerrari.

That soaring redline was one of several reasons why this was nearly as fun as the MazdaMX-5roadster –andof courseit helped that it was one of the most intuitive steers of its day.

Unlike with the MX-5, though, Mazda didn’t skimp on equipment in the fight to make it light. The RX-8weighs only 1350kg, yetyou still get heated electric seats, sat-nav, air conditioning.

What about faults, though? The main reason the rotary never caught on was because issues it can develop are complicated and awkward to put right - often the case if it hasn't been taken care of. Oh, and it goes through oil like a high streetchip shop.

BMW 330i Convertible (2007-2013)

The fact that this is a BMW 3 Series with a straight-six petrol engine should be enough to convince you, but you will probably want to know more about why it's here.

If the 325i didn’t exist, the 330i would be the archetypal 3 Series. It draws its reserves from a 268bhp 3.0-litre engine, with power sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

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BMW is to straight sixes what Heinz is to tomato-flavoured food, and this powertrain is widely recognised for producing one of the industry’s most resonant soundtracks, so it’s no surprise that we’re recommending the drop-top.

It’s also just a very well-proportioned car.From its prominent (but not overbearing) beltlines to the soft yet angular roll of its bonnet droop, the attention paid to its styling details remains exemplary to this day.

If you’re interested, remember that they need proper maintenance.Abused examples commonly suffer from oil or coolant leaks, as well as wind noise from the roof mechanism while it's closed.

Renault Clio RS 197 (2007-2009)

Journalists rave about Renaultsport cars because the division always prioritisedthe same thing: back-to-basics fun.

The Clio 197 is no different.To the untrained eye, it looks like a standard Clio, and its interior is an unremitting sea of grey plastic, but the way it handles itself on a B-road makes it one of the world's best cars for driving enthusiasts.

But you need to look after it if it's to look after you. Some owners have reported issues with the gearbox when cold, while some haveweak air conditioning systems that need to be regassed and failing fuel pumps.

Failings aside, £7000 grabs you a tidy example, and it will beunlikely to depreciate.

Audi A4 1.8 (1994-2001)

‘Bargain basem*ntbut make it classy’ pretty much summarises the B5-generationAudi A4.

It's not fast, nor does it have many toys, and it looks as outlandish as mayonnaise.But there's a reason why the A4 has long been the workhorse of the Audi range:it's built with a comforting solidity, drives exactly how you want it toand is as reliable as rain in Scotland.

While its competencies have been judged to perfection, you won't be buying it as a performance machine. But if you get one with the 1.8-litre turbo petrolengine, it doesn't leave you wondering why you didn't plump for a bigger engine. And if that motor was good enough to find itself in the TT, it'sgood enough for this saloon.

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Reliability is as you would expect for a car that's now well over 20 years old, so make sure that your purchase has as many service stamps as possible.

Otherwise, you’re likely to meet issues with the coil pack, timing beltor just an interior so filthy that you will have to ask your passengers if their tetanus booster is up to date.

Mercedes-BenzSL 350 (2001-2011)

You might think a car like this deserves a V8, but the V6 in the MercedesSL 350 is an unsung hero. If the V8 spins a web of restrained, rumbling efficiency, the V6 effortlessly acquires mass appeal.

Scouring countless owners' forums and pages online, you will notice that the vast majority love the V6 because it's not only more reliable and more fuel efficient than the V8 but also just as fast in everydayrunning.

With a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec, it is slower than the V8, but the bigger engine gets from 40-60mph only 0.1sec faster than the V6, and both have a top speed limited to 155mph. In terms of usable performance, then, there's not much in it at all.

The V6also came as standard with coil springs that are much cheaper to repair than the air springs that came on many V8s (these cost around £1000 per corner).

So if you enjoy lower repair costs and better fuel consumption, the 350 is the SL for you. Not to mention that whichever car you go for, you willbe buying into one of the most recognised names in the business.

Fiat Punto (2005-2018)

Stay with us, because there's more to this urban shop-about than meets the eye.

Yes, it’s dull,but if you judge this list based on price relative to age, the little Fiat isthe best car here. Examples with fewer than 10,000 miles and a number plate that reads '17' can be had for less than £5000.

Racier trim levels can also liven it up enough that it crosses into enthusiast territory. You will notice a deep front bumper, sporty 17in alloy wheels, a pea-shooter exhaust tip and the same rev-happy 1.4-litre engine used in the Panda 100HP.

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Better still, its relatively young age means it complies with Euro 6 emissions standards (making it ULEZ-compliant), and it hasn't had time to develop catastrophic faults.

Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP GT (2010-2015)

Ignoring the 267bhp R version, the 1.6-litre engineused in Peugeot's flagship coupé was available in two states of tune:156bhp and 197bhp.

You could buy the 2.0-litre diesel, but we would strongly advise you not to:it’s slower to 62mph than a pigeonand even the higher-powered petrol will still (theoretically) get500 miles to a tank.

The 197bhp modelhasa 0-62mph time of 7.4sec anda top speed of 146mph, and prices are mostly in the region of £5000-£8000. For that, you get a ULEZ-compliant coupé that looks like it wasstyled with a very sharp pencil.

It's the same story inside, with brushed metal finishes, red stitching, body-hugging sports seats, clear analogue dials, dual-zone air conditioning and one of the only clocks in the automotive world that still looks modern.

Problems? As ever, shop carefully and you will find a diamond. But badly treated RCZscan develop rattly exhausts, squeaky brakes, suspension knockand a temperamental infotainment system.

Our advice, then, would be to avoid one that looks as though it has been run on a tight budget.

Jaguar XJ 3.0 (2002-2009)

Just as theXF saved Jaguar from financial ruin, the X350-generationXJ of 2003 saved it from fierce German competition.

Audi stunned the world with the all-aluminium A8 and BMW was on the verge of launching one of the most technologically advanced saloons the industry had ever seen.But Jaguar threw a leather-lined punch:not only was the new XJ made entirely of aluminium, but it was also blessed with an effortlessly involving drivetrain to rival the E65-generation BMW 7 Series.

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