Britain's top 10 most popular used cars

Did you know that around seven million used cars change hands in the UK every year, which is more than three times the number of new vehicles registered annually?  

Second-hand car sales in the UK are soaring, reaching levels last seen before the pandemic in 2019, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).  

Why are used vehicles changing hands more than ever?  

The boom is being driven by lots of factors, including:

• the cost of living  
• pricey new models
• high demand for used hybrids
• discounts on second-hand electric vehicles

Demand for used EVs and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles continues to grow, but petrol and diesel still make up more than 90% of the overall used car market.  

1) Vauxhall Corsa

The latest Vauxhall Corsa (launched in 2019) is now officially the UK's most popular small car in terms of new car registrations and used car sales.  

The fact that Ford axed the Fiesta, its arch-rival, in 2023 after 47 years of production and eight generations is part of the reason.  

But maybe the biggest factor is that the fifth generation Corsa is the best yet. It's available with petrol and mild hybrid petrol engines, plus a 100% electric model.  

A diesel version was discontinued in 2022 but obviously is still a second-hand option.

Whether you go for the new model or the 2014-2019 Mk 4, it's a solid second-hand car choice.  

2) Nissan Qashqai

The British-built Nissan Qashqai is a great second-hand family choice that's as popular as ever.  

The car that started the crossover craze in 2007 is now in its third generation, though a good a lot of used cars are still Mk2s, made between 2014 and 2021.  

If you can stretch to the Mk3, it's well worth it because of its sharp looks, plus the latest infotainment and safety technology.  

And what it lacks in driving engagement, it gains in comfort and practicality.  

You can choose between two 1.3-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines (138bhp or 156bhp), plus an e-Power version which has a 1.5-litre petrol engine that exists solely to charge the battery.  

The battery then powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels, giving you instant electric car acceleration but without the need to plug it in to charge.  

3) Volkswagen Golf

A consistent top five seller in the UK’s new and used car markets, the VW Golf is another long-running model that just gets better and better.  

The Mk 8 Volkswagen Golf was launched in 2020, but previous generations are still selling well – especially the 2012-19 Mk 7, which is still a great drive.  

If you go for the latest Golf, it's fun to drive and is available as a:

• petrol
• plug-in hybrid
• mild-hybrid petrol
• diesel  

The only frustration is the fiddly infotainment system.  

The mild hybrid 1.5 eTSI 150 engine is a great balance of performance and economy, while the Golf R is still one of the best hot hatches out there.  

4) Ford Puma

Ford may have discontinued the Fiesta, with the Focus to follow, but the Puma has been a roaring success and filled the gap.  

Launched in 2020, the Puma is more of a compact SUV than a hatchback. It combines a unique design with class-leading load space and lively handling.  

Available with a selection of punchy 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines, it's nimble, economical, and achieved a maximum score of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.  

New for 2025 is the all-electric version with a claimed range of 233 miles, the Puma Gen-E. But, it’ll take a couple of years before it becomes more affordable.  

5) Kia Sportage

One of the best all-round family SUVs for several years now, the Kia Sportage delivers an award-winning blend of:

• striking looks
• hi-tech interior
• practicality
• top safety features
• driving engagement
• value for money

It's available with a range of mild-hybrid petrol engines, plus a full hybrid and plug-in hybrid – this one has all-wheel drive.  

From a second-hand point of view, the beauty of the Sportage is that it's sold new with a seven-year warranty.  

That means that if you buy one that's a few years old, it will still have a three of four years left of its warranty.  

The fifth-generation Sportage (launched in 2022) is the best yet, but don't overlook the Mk4 (2016-2022), which was also a cracking car and now more affordable.  

6) Nissan Juke

The second Nissan in this Top 10 list of used bestsellers is the latest version of the British-built Juke launched in 2019.  

The second-generation Juke is smarter, more spacious inside, and delivers a much better drive.  

Initially it was only available with a 1.0-litre petrol turbo engine, but that all changed in 2022 when an impressive 1.6-litre full hybrid model joined the range.  

Not only does it charge on the move, so there's no need to plug it in, but the extra power and better fuel economy make it a great all-rounder.

7) MG HS

Now Chinese-owned, the MG brand is enjoying a bit of a renaissance thanks to a good range of affordable hatchbacks and SUVs.  

Whether you're looking to go fully electric, stick with petrol, or dip your toes in with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, there's something for everyone in the line-up.

The current bestseller is the MG HS crossover. Produced between 2019-2024, the first-generation HS is great value for money.  

Only offered with a 1.5-litre petrol turbo engine initially, a plug-in hybrid came a year later. It pairs the 1.5-litre unit with a 16.6kWh battery and electric motor, giving an EV range of 32 miles.  

The MG HS may not be as plush or fun to drive as some of its rivals, but it's spacious, well equipped, comfortable, safe and refined.  

It also gives peace of mind as a second-hand purchase, because all MGs are sold with a seven-year warranty.  

8) Hyundai Tucson

The good-looking Hyundai Tucson is one of the best mid-sized SUVs on the market and is available as a:

• petrol
• mild-hybrid
• full hybrid
• plug-in hybrid

If you're buying used, you're probably looking at the third generation (2015-2020) or the stylish Mk4 (2021).  

A cousin to the Kia Sportage, the Tucson is competitively priced, spacious, safe and engaging to drive. It also comes with Hyundai's five-year unlimited mileage warranty.  

If possible, go for the fourth-generation Tucson in full hybrid guise. It pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery.  

It's capable of a claimed 49.6mpg, while CO2 emissions are a reasonable 129g/km.  

9) Volvo XC40

The first of two premium cars in the used car Top 10, Volvo's baby SUV is stylish, safe, comfortable and a pleasure to drive.  

Plus, its high driving position means you have a great view of the road.  

Launched way back in 2018, Volvo's given it a couple of makeovers since, and it still looks fresh today.  

Originally available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, it’s now available as mild and full hybrids. Plus, there’s a fully electric version called the XC40 Recharge, which is now known as the Volvo EX40.  

If your heart is set on an XC40, it may be worth doing some online research before choosing a model.  

It might look lovely, but there have been some reliability issues – a full service history and a low number of owners should help to give some peace of mind.  

10) Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Now in its third generation, the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class has proved to be a hit with British buyers – thanks to its stylish looks, comfort, technology and great build quality.

The second premium car in the 2025 Top 10 used cars, the A-Class is available as a five-door hatchback or four-door saloon.  

There's a solid choice of petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid (badged A 250 e).  

There's even a blisteringly fast version (Mercedes-AMG A 45 S) which is capable of 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds.  

Launched in 2018, the fourth-generation A-Class is a classy family hatchback with top badge appeal. Alternatives include the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.