Used Car Buyer Guides for the UK
UK-specific guides for buying a used car: road tax, the MOT, finance, running costs and what each budget buys.
Before you view a car, see the recalls DVSA has published for its model in car recalls by make and model.
Model common-faults guides
Year-by-year fault patterns, mileage thresholds and a pre-purchase inspection checklist for 55 popular used cars in the UK, with indicative UK repair costs where the guide gives them.
BMW 5 Series Common Faults
G30, 2017–2024
Audi A6 Common Faults
C8, 2018–2024
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Common Faults
W213, 2016–2023
Volkswagen Passat Common Faults
B8, 2015–2023
Volkswagen Golf Common Faults
Mk7 2013–2019, Mk8 2020+
Ford Focus Common Faults
Mk4, 2018–2025
Toyota Corolla Common Faults
E210, 2019+
Nissan Qashqai Common Faults
J11 2014–2021, J12 2021+
Hyundai Tucson Common Faults
NX4, 2020+
Kia Sportage Common Faults
NQ5, 2022+
Skoda Octavia Common Faults
Mk4, 2020+
Toyota Yaris Common Faults
XP210, 2020+
Mazda CX-5 Common Faults
KF, 2017–2024 (2022 facelift)
Hyundai i30 Common Faults
PD, 2017+
Vauxhall Corsa Common Faults
Mk5 (E) 2014–2019, Mk6 (F) 2019+
Volkswagen Tiguan Common Faults
Mk2, 2016–2023 (Allspace 2017+)
Honda CR-V Common Faults
Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid)
Toyota RAV4 Common Faults
XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid)
Dacia Duster Common Faults
Mk1 2013–2018 (on sale in the UK from January 2013), Mk2 2018+
Ford Kuga Common Faults
Mk3, 2019+
Renault Clio Common Faults
Mk4 2012–2019, Mk5 2019+
SEAT Leon Common Faults
Mk3 2012–2020, Mk4 2020+
Peugeot 208 Common Faults
Mk2 (2019–present)
Kia Ceed Common Faults
Mk3 (2018–present)
Volkswagen Polo Common Faults
Mk6 AW (2017–present)
BMW 3 Series Common Faults
F30 (2012–2019) / G20 (2019–present)
Audi A4 Common Faults
B9 (2015–2023)
Peugeot 3008 Common Faults
Mk2 (2016–2024)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Common Faults
W205 (2014–2021) / W206 (2021–present)
Toyota C-HR Common Faults
Mk1 (2016–2023)
Tesla Model 3 Common Faults
Mk1 pre-facelift (2017–2023) and "Highland" refresh (2024–2026)
Skoda Karoq Common Faults
NU7, 2017–2021 (pre-facelift) and 2022–2025 (facelift)
Ford Fiesta Common Faults
Mk8 (2017–2023)
Vauxhall Astra Common Faults
Mk7 / K (2015-2021)
MINI Cooper Common Faults
F56 (2014–2023)
Nissan Juke Common Faults
Mk2 (2019–2025)
Land Rover Discovery Sport Common Faults
L550 (2015–2026)
Audi A3 Common Faults
8V (2013–2020)
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Common Faults
W177 (2018–present)
Skoda Fabia Common Faults
Mk3/NJ3 (2014–2021) and Mk4/PJ (2021–2025)
Vauxhall Mokka Common Faults
Mk1 and Mokka X 2012–2019, Mk2 and Mokka Electric 2021–on
Range Rover Evoque Common Faults
L538 2011–2018 and L551 2019–on
BMW 1 Series Common Faults
E87 2004–2011, F20 and F21 2011–2019, F40 2019–on
Fiat 500 Common Faults
Type 312, 2008–2024
Honda Jazz Common Faults
GD, GE, GK and the 2020-on hybrid
Hyundai Kona Common Faults
OS 2017–2023 and SX2 2023–on
Kia Niro Common Faults
first generation 2016–2022 and second generation 2022–on
Nissan Leaf Common Faults
ZE0 2011–2017 and ZE1 2018–2024
Renault Captur Common Faults
Mk1 2013–2019 and Mk2 2020–on
Renault Megane Common Faults
Mk3 2008–2016 and Mk4 2016–2022
Skoda Superb Common Faults
third generation 2015–2024
Toyota Avensis Common Faults
third generation 2009–2018
Volkswagen T-Roc Common Faults
first generation 2017–2026
Ford Mondeo Common Faults
Mk4 2007–2014 and Mk5 2014–2022
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Common Faults
2014–2021 plug-in hybrid
Buyer-segment guides
Used Car Manufacturer Warranty by Make
Kia, Hyundai, MG and Toyota terms — and what voids each one.
What Your Budget Actually Buys
Median age, mileage and price per band, measured from live stock.
Petrol or Diesel: What a Used One Looks Like
Matched on age, the diesel on the forecourt has done about a third more miles.
Used Car Mileage by Age
What a car of each age has actually covered, and the spread at every age.
Car Rule Changes Coming in the UK
Dated changes to 2035 — and the widely repeated claims with no source.
Best Used Cars Under £5,000 in the UK
The absolute budget end of the market.
Most Reliable Used Cars in the UK
Real DVSA MOT pass rates for 55 models, age-matched.
MOT Failure Rates by Model and Mileage
How 40 popular cars hold up at the same mileage, age-matched against the national fleet.
The EV Battery Certificate Coming in February 2027
It applies in Northern Ireland, not in Great Britain — and it is not retrospective.
Best Used Cars Under £10,000 in the UK
Most reliable picks at the budget end of the market.
Best Used Cars Under £15,000 in the UK
Family SUVs, hatchbacks and hybrid options.
Best Used Cars Under £20,000 in the UK
Late-model EVs and premium hatches.
Best Used Cars Under £25,000 in the UK
Nearly-new territory — premium SUVs and long-range EVs.
Cheapest Used Cars in the UK
Sub-£8k bargains worth considering.
Best Used-Car Deals in the UK Right Now
This week's strongest value picks.
Used Cars with Warranty in the UK
What a UK dealer warranty actually covers.
Voluntary Termination of Car Finance in the UK
The half rule, and why the balloon counts toward it.
Autoza Dealer Trust Score Explained
What the number means today — and what it does not measure.
Section 75 and Car Finance in the UK
It does not cover dealer-arranged HP or PCP — and the two routes that do work.
What It Really Costs to Charge an Electric Car
Where you plug in matters more than which car you buy.
Expensive Car Supplement on a Used Electric Car
The £200-or-£640 question, decided by one registration date.
UK Number Plates Explained
What the age identifier tells you — and what it does not prove.
Buying a Car in Northern Ireland
A different test, a different fee, no clean air zones — with the figures.
What Actually Fails the MOT
DVSA data: the most common failure and the most dangerous are not the same.
Vehicle Tax When You Buy a Used Car
It does not transfer with the car — and that catches people out.
Glossary of UK Car-Buying Terms
MOT, VAT, V5C, PCP, HP, BIK — defined.
Selling a Car Privately in the UK
The green slip, the vehicle tax refund, safe payment and what a private buyer is owed, each with its official source.