If you have a budget of up to £10,000 for your next vehicle, then you’ll have a couple of options: you can either buy a new budget vehicle, or you can buy a used car. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, then it’s better to take the latter option. There are many excellent vehicles available in this price range when you’re not buying new. Cars for sale under £10K tend to be pretty basic; when you’re looking for used cars under £10K, the brands and vehicle types quickly become a lot more advanced.
So what sort of vehicles will you find when you’re looking for second hand cars under £10K? First of all, typical brands include Volkswagens, Vauxhalls, Audis, and Hondas. For the higher-end vehicles, the mileage will be in the 50-60,000 range. For vehicles that have a lower ‘new’ price, the range will be closer to 25-35,000.
Regardless of your budget, it’s always important that you’re taking the time to ensure that you get the vehicle that’s right for your needs. You’ll have a lot of options when you have 10K to spend, but that doesn’t mean that every car will be right for you.
The price of the vehicle should be a secondary concern; the first is figuring out whether it’s in line with your needs. There’s a big difference between driving a Vauxhall Mokka X and driving an Audi A1 Sportback. Before you begin your search, you’ll need to think about what you’ll be using the car for. Is it there to transport your family around town? Or are you looking for a professional vehicle that you’ll use to get to work each day?
It’s also important to take a look at the car’s history. First of all, you should check that whoever’s selling you the vehicle has all the papers and information you need to make an informed decision. If you’re looking at a car that ordinarily costs 50K yet which is listed for less than 10k, then it’ll be especially important to check the vehicle’s history since it could mean that there are problems that you’ll need to fix later on. This is generally more of an issue when you’re buying from a private seller rather than from a dealer.
It’s best to take a close inspection at any vehicle you’re thinking about buying, regardless of whether it’s new or used, but it’s of greater importance when it’s used. First of all, you’ll need to check the exterior to check for any dents or scratches. It’s probable that a used car will have a couple of scratches, but that’s not necessarily a problem -- all cars have some signs of wear and tear. The issue will be if there’s a dent or scratch that is easily noticeable and compromises the quality of the vehicle. Checking the windscreen for any cracks or chips is also important since that could develop into a more severe problem later on down the line. There are some other things that may be of concern, such as tyres that are past their best (they’ll need replacing sooner rather than later) and the fluid levels; if they’re low, then the car may not have been well looked after in the past.
As well as the exterior of the vehicle and under the bonnet, pay particular attention to the inside of the car. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, so it’s important that the interior is in good condition. Extensive wear and tear or bad smells will compromise your enjoyment of the vehicle.
Finally, you’ll want to take the vehicle for a test drive. This will be the true test of the quality of the used car! If you notice that something doesn’t feel quite right, then it’s probably not. If you enjoy the ride, then you may have found your next car!
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, then take a look at our used cars for sale under £10K. You might be surprised at just how far your money can go! Whatever vehicle you decide to purchase, you can have peace of mind that you’ll drive away with a great car. Here at Swansway Group, we have close to fifty years of experience in the car trade, which means you’ll be in safe hands during your search.