Compare the best used small cars

High quality second hand small cars from rated and reviewed dealers

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Mini hatch orange driving

Best used small cars of 2024

Are you looking for something inexpensive to buy and run that’s just as easy to drive in town as it is on the motorway? You’ll be wanting a used small car. But the market for small cars is huge, with myriad options to choose from - so with that in mind, our handy guide to the best used small cars has 10 great recommendations for you.

Volkswagen Polo

1. Volkswagen Polo

8/10
Volkswagen Polo review
The Polo’s popularity is well-earned, bringing a slice of the premium life to the small-car segment. The latest model was introduced in 2017 and still looks fresh, with sharp lines and a smart cabin. The boot’s pretty big, too.
Hyundai i10

2. Hyundai i10

8/10
Hyundai i10 review
The latest Hyundai i10 punches well above its weight against hugely popular alternatives, being practical, easy to drive and sporting a stylish exterior. All this despite being one of the least expensive options in the small-car class. It’s a bit dull inside and lower, poorly equipped trims are best avoided, but overall it represents fantastic value.
Ford Fiesta

3. Ford Fiesta

7/10
Ford Fiesta review
Almost since records began, the Ford Fiesta has been all-but-guaranteed a place at the top of the UK’s sales charts. It looks great, is fun to drive and has a range of nippy engines that are economical around town. It’s one of the best all-rounders here.
SEAT Ibiza

4. SEAT Ibiza

8/10
SEAT Ibiza review
Despite sitting in the small car class, the SEAT Ibiza is surprisingly roomy inside. You’ll even be able to carry a couple of passengers in the rear with their luggage fitting in the boot. Look for an FR model for a sportier look and better equipment.
Renault Zoe

5. Renault Zoe

8/10
Renault Zoe review
Battery range up to 245 miles
Electric vehicles can be intimidatingly pricey, but the Renault Zoe proves you can get a stylish EV with an excellent range without breaking the bank. Low running costs make it all the more appealing. It is very cramped inside and the interior feels cheap in places, though.
MINI 3-Door Hatch

6. MINI Hatch

7/10
MINI 3-Door Hatch review
The MINI Hatch is probably the poshest small car you can buy. It looks great outside and has a fancy, characterful cabin. It also pushes the Fiesta for being one of the most fun cars in its class to drive. On the downside the rear seats are tight and the boot isn’t the biggest.
Honda Jazz

7. Honda Jazz

7/10
Honda Jazz review
Introduced in 2020, the current Jazz is exclusively offered with a fuel-sipping petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, but isn’t as expensive as many other electrified models. With great visibility and light controls, the Jazz is easy to drive in town, while if you’re after a more affordable, previous-generation Jazz, reliability reports for this practical supermini have long been excellent.
Vauxhall Corsa (2019-2023)

8. Vauxhall Corsa

7/10
Vauxhall Corsa (2019-2023) review
Another small car that’s a shoo-in for the top-selling UK cars list, the Vauxhall Corsa has proved particularly popular as a first car because of its low running costs. However, it should appeal to anyone who needs a small second-hand car because it’s easy to drive and there are plenty on the used market to choose from.
Toyota Yaris Hybrid

9. Toyota Yaris

8/10
Toyota Yaris Hybrid review
In 2020 Toyota gave the Yaris a spruce up, with a more sporty-looking exterior and an efficient hybrid engine. If you’ve got the budget, these are the ones to go for, but earlier models are also practical, economical options with a strong reputation for dependability.
Skoda Fabia

10. Skoda Fabia

6/10
Skoda Fabia review
It might be a small car but the Fabia continues Skoda’s reputation for building practical, reliable cars. It looks great and is comfortable to drive, but loses some marks for feeling a bit cheap inside. The boot is one of the biggest in the business, though, and the Fabia is one of the more refined small cars out there, which is worth knowing if you do a fair few motorway miles.

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Advice about second hand small cars

Used small cars FAQs

When buying a small, affordable used car, the last thing you want is for it to keep going wrong. It’s impossible to guarantee reliability, but a good way to minimise the risk is to buy a car with a lot of paperwork that indicates the previous owner has looked after it.

Some of the cars in this list that have a particularly good reliability record include the Hyundai i10 and Honda Jazz. When it comes to repair costs, bear in mind that premium brand such as MINI can bring with them slightly higher bills.

With generally low prices when new, and the sheer popularity of small cars meaning there are loads on the used market, there are plenty of great value examples to be found. The Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa are two good examples that shouldn’t be too pricey to run or fix.

The Hyundai i10 is arguably the best value in this list, though. It’s not the most spacious, but it’s cheap to buy and run while also looking great from the outside.

There aren’t any second-hand small cars we’d specifically recommend avoiding. However, as with buying any used car, be sure to have a close look for any damage and check the car has been regularly serviced. If the owner is hesitant to answer questions or let you test drive the car it could be worth walking away. Do make yourself familiar with the different trim levels and optional extras these cars came with when they were new, and look for models that come with the gadgets and gizmos that are important to you.

You can buy a second-hand small car from all the usual places, such as franchised dealerships, car supermarkets and private sales.

You can also find a used car with Carwow. You can search by make and model, but if you’re not sure what to buy, our handy filters will point you in the right direction, and put you in touch with one of our trusted dealers.

Small cars are often affordable cars, so do make sure the previous owner didn’t scrimp on insurance. It’s also worth thinking about the fact that some of the cars on this list make excellent choices for new drivers, so do look out for any dings, dents or damaged alloys that might have been acquired as they, like we all had to, get to grips with the realities of day-to-day driving. 

Many of these cars focus on keeping costs low, meaning interiors tend to have cheaper materials that might not stand the test of time too well, so look out for scratched or damaged trim.