As Britain’s car industry continues to struggle and the cost of living crisis continues, more people are looking to the used motor market when looking to purchase their next vehicle. With this shift, the prices of some used cars have risen. However, it is still possible to find some gems in among the vast options.
To that end, a group of motoring experts have come together to name the best used cars on sale in the UK today. The group comes from the esteemed motoring publication Auto Express. Together, they have made a judgement on what the best used car on sale in Britain today is.
They did so through a series of factors including what the cars were like when they were new and owners' experiences of them while driving them.
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Overall, the best used car of the year was the BMW 3 Series, a verdict reached with a unanimous decision. On why it had been chosen, automotive writer Alex Ingram explained that it wasn’t just a case of the driving dynamics, but the sheer variety of body shapes and trim levels available to buyers.
He explained: “Whether you’re in the market for a fuel-sipping diesel or a fire-breathing M3 – or anything in between – the 3 Series line-up has you covered.
“Plug-in hybrids allow for electric-only driving on local trips, and six-cylinder petrols are both smooth and powerful. Then there are the various bodystyles, too.
“But whichever derivative you go for, the rest of the package leaves you feeling like there’s no compromise at all. Ride and handling are as good as it gets, making even the most affordable models a joy to drive.”
While the BMW was chosen as the best used car in the UK, it was only just in front of Jaguar’s I-Pace. Jaguar’s electric vehicle came second overall behind the BMW, but also won awards for the best used electric car and best used executive car.
In a statement on the state of the used car market earlier this year, CEO of SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) Mike Hawes said: “Growth in the used car market is good news given it is where most drivers buy their next vehicle – but their choice ultimately depends on thriving new car demand.
“Ongoing recovery in the new car market means almost 100,000 second-hand buyers have been able to snap up cars less than a year old this year.
“These nearly-new purchases help drive business activity and economic growth while ensuring consumer access to more affordable, increasingly zero emission used cars across the country.”
It comes after another car outlet – Carwow – named their new Car of the Year. They voted Chinese motor Chery Tiggo 8 as the best – a full £50,000 cheaper than its lookalike rival BMW.
