4 Cars That PROVE You Don't Need a New Car
Discover four five-year-old used cars that still feel modern, including the Ford Puma, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Octavia.
You don't need to buy a brand-new car to get that new-car feeling.
A car loses a big chunk of its value in the first few years, and most of that happens before the second owner ever sits in it. The good news is that the car itself doesn't change nearly as much. A well-looked-after five-year-old car can still feel modern, comfortable and well-equipped, for a fraction of what it cost new.
We've pulled together four options that we think are excellent choices for any driver.
In this guide
- Why a five-year-old car can still feel new
- Ford Puma
- Toyota Corolla
- Nissan Qashqai
- Skoda Octavia, our number one pick
- What to check before you buy
- How to finance a used car
Quick answer: If you want a used car that still feels new, the Skoda Octavia is our top pick for space and comfort. The Nissan Qashqai suits families wanting a higher driving position, the Toyota Corolla is the sensible choice for low running costs, and the Ford Puma brings modern tech in a smaller package.
Why a five-year-old car can still feel new
Cars have changed less in the last decade than you might expect.
Touchscreens, reversing cameras, Bluetooth, cruise control, parking sensors and lane assist were widespread well before 2020. A car from that era is usually carrying most of the kit you'd find in a new one, and the safety ratings hold up too.
What's changed most is the price. Which is the whole point.
Our top four options
4. Ford Puma
A compact SUV with modern technology, plenty of practicality and useful features like the MegaBox storage system.
The MegaBox is the party trick worth knowing about. It's a deep, lined compartment under the boot floor with a drain plug, so you can stand tall items upright or throw muddy boots and wet kit in without ruining the carpet. Small idea, genuinely useful.
Beyond that, the Puma is one of the better compact SUVs to drive. It shares a lot with the Fiesta underneath, which means it handles more like a hatchback than its ride height suggests. Ford's mild-hybrid petrol engines help with running costs, and because Ford sells in big numbers, parts and independent garages who know the car are easy to find.
Best for: drivers who want SUV styling without the bulk.
3. Toyota Corolla
A comfortable and dependable option, with hybrid versions offering a potentially attractive choice for drivers looking to keep fuel costs down.
The Corolla is the sensible choice on this list, and that's meant as a compliment. Toyota's reputation for building cars that keep going is well earned, and the Corolla is a straightforward example of it.
The hybrid is the one most people should look at. It runs on electric power at low speeds, which suits town driving and short journeys, and it doesn't need plugging in. For anyone doing a lot of urban miles, the fuel savings add up. Insurance groups are reasonable and servicing costs are predictable.
Available as a hatchback or an estate, the Touring Sports, if you need the boot space.
Best for: low running costs and peace of mind.
2. Nissan Qashqai
A popular family SUV with a higher driving position, plenty of space and a design that still looks current.
The Qashqai more or less invented the family crossover in Britain, and it's still one of the most common used cars on the road for good reason. It's the size of a hatchback to park but gives you a higher seat, better visibility and a boot that takes a pushchair without an argument.
That higher driving position matters more than people expect. It's easier to get in and out of, which makes a real difference if you've got knees that complain or kids to load into the back.
Because so many were sold, you get plenty of choice on the used market across different ages, trim levels and budgets.
Best for: families who want space without a large SUV.
1. Skoda Octavia
Our wildcard and number one pick. Comfortable, spacious and equipped with a huge boot, the Octavia is a great example of how a five-year-old car doesn't necessarily feel like an old car.
The Octavia is the car that makes the argument for this whole list. It's the size of a family saloon inside, with a boot that embarrasses cars a class above, and it shares much of its engineering with Volkswagen. You get the same solidity without paying for the badge.
It's quiet on a motorway, comfortable over long distances, and the interior has aged well. Skoda's habit of adding small practical touches, an ice scraper in the fuel flap, an umbrella in the door, is the kind of thing that makes a car nicer to live with day to day.
If you need even more room, the estate is one of the most practical cars you can buy at any price.
Best for: anyone who wants maximum space and comfort for the money.
What to check before you buy
A used car is only as good as the individual example in front of you. Whichever model you choose:
- Service history. A full, stamped record matters more than low mileage
- MOT record. Free to check online, and advisories tell you what's coming
- Mileage in context. A well-maintained car with 70,000 miles can be a better bet than a neglected one with 40,000
- A vehicle history check. Reveals outstanding finance, write-offs or a stolen marker
- Insurance quote before you commit. Premiums vary sharply between models and trims
- A proper test drive. Listen for noises, check everything works, don't rush it
How to finance a used car
If one of these appeals, spreading the cost can make it easier to budget. Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) both let you pay in fixed monthly instalments rather than a lump sum.
carloans 365 works with a panel of lenders to help find an option that suits your circumstances, including applicants with a less than perfect credit history. Our eligibility check is a soft search, takes about 60 seconds and has no impact on your credit score.
Whatever you decide, look at the total amount payable rather than just the monthly figure, and factor in insurance, fuel, servicing and MOT alongside the finance.
If you're searching for the best used cars in the UK, cars that feel brand new, five-year-old cars, modern used cars, or an affordable alternative to buying new, these four are worth researching.
