Manufacturers around the world make billions every year by selling cars that have unprecedented levels of performance, cutting-edge technology and increasingly fuel efficient engines. But if your budget doesn’t stretch to a brand new set of wheels, don’t worry, as we’ve found the best cars for under £1,000.
Here we’ve compiled a seven-strong, three-figure selection that covers hatchbacks, MPVs, crossovers and allsorts, proving that the second-hand car market can provide you with almost any kind of drive at almost any kind of price.
For example, a 3.2-litre V8-engined Jaguar XJ8 from the late nineties - originally priced at £36,405 - can now be had for less than a grand, not least because it’s approaching its 20th birthday.
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A 2005 Nissan X-Trail meanwhile has also sunk below the four-figure mark, though at 12 years old it still has many years of reliable service ahead of it.
There are pitfalls of course. Rust, mileage and maintenance are all things to be wary of, but with a thorough inspection and a bit of patience there’s no reason you won’t come across a genuine, cheap as chips star.
Whether you’re after a luxury ride or simple practicality, this list has it all. And at less than £1,000, every single one is very much a half-price hero.
Scroll down to read about our half-price heroes, all of which can be bought for less than £1,000...
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat 1.8T SE (2002/02 reg, 100k miles)
Price new: £17,590
Now: £785
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 150bhp
Economy: 34.0mpg
CO2/tax: 199g/km/£270
Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2001)
Saloon cars are falling out of favour in the new car market, and that has a favourable impact on their second-hand price. The Volkswagen Passat is classy, and while you should once again put history before mileage covered, you can find cars with fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock at this price point.
The VW Group’s five-valve-per-cylinder 1.8-litre turbo engine is more than adequate, and SE models feature equipment such as a CD player, heated seats and climate control.
Ford SportKa
Ford SportKa SE (2004/04 reg, 80k miles)
Price new: £11,195
Now: £800
Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 94bhp
Economy: 37.2mpg
CO2/tax: 182g/km/£230
Euro NCAP: 3 stars (2000)
Ford has a knack of producing sweet-handling small cars, and the original Ka is no exception. The flagship SportKa has a modest 94bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, but the crisp five-speed gearbox and lightweight construction ensure this is more than enough power, and the lively handling is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Kas are notorious for rust, so walk away from any model with bubbling paintwork, especially around the fuel filler. We found a 2004 car with 80,000 miles, and this SE version features leather, air-con and a CD player.
Jaguar XJ8
Jaguar XJ8 3.2 (1998/R reg, 131k miles)
Price new: £36,405
Now: £900
Engine: 3.2-litre V8, 240bhp Economy: 23.5mpg
CO2/tax: 288g/km/£235
Euro NCAP: N/A
A Sub-£1,000 luxury car is something of a punt, because running costs will be as high as they were when the car was new. But there are some bargain Jag XJ8s out there, and while its 3.2-litre V8 wasn’t the raciest, its smooth power delivery befits a luxury car.
If you’re looking at any pre-2000 example, timing chain tensioners, hesitant gearbox shifts and rust are all signs of poor upkeep, so an example like the one we found, with a full history, is worth investigating.
Toyota Celica
Toyota Celica 1.8 VV-Ti (140) (2001/Y reg, 93k miles)
Price new: £16,980
Now: £950
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 140bhp
Economy: 36.7mpg
CO2/tax: 185g/km/£230
Euro NCAP: N/A
The Toyota Celica was a rallying legend, but by the time the seventh and final T230-generation version arrived in 1999, it had turned into a stylish coupé. The wedge-shaped looks were designed to attract younger buyers, and the straight edges certainly helped it to stand out.
But there was more to the Celica than sharp design. Toyota also cut the car’s weight to improve handling, and power came from a rev-happy 1.8-litre petrol engine with either 140bhp or 189bhp. What’s more, this potential future classic also promises near-bulletproof reliability.
MINI Cooper
MINI Cooper 1.6 (2001/51-reg, 115k miles)
Price new: £11,600
Now: £995
Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 116bhp
Economy: 42.2mpg
CO2/tax: 163g/km/£185
Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2002)
Few cars combine the MINI’s mix of talents. Its retro-modern looks, compact dimensions, fun handling and classy cabin set new standards in the supermini class when the model arrived at the start of the millennium, and it’s a formula that MINI maintains to this day.
The first BMW-era MINIs are closing in on their 20th anniversary, and now could be the time to bag a bargain, before the car ends up in the realms of modern classic territory. There are still plenty to choose from at this age, but it’s better to find one with a full service history to prove it has been looked after, rather than simply opt for the one with the lowest mileage.
While the supercharged Cooper S is the most desirable MINI Mk1, you’ll have just as much fun in the standard Cooper. The 2001 model we found had covered a relatively low 7,000 miles per year, and the full service history put it ahead of similar examples.
Vauxhall Zafira
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Club (2005/55-reg, 120k miles)
Price new: £15,195
Now: £995
Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 103bhp
Economy: 38.7mpg
CO2/tax: 175g/km/£210
Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2005)
If you’ve got a big family, the car you buy needs to deliver the maximum space, but these days you can even get a decent seven-seater for less than a grand. The Vauxhall Zafira Mk2 is now hitting rock bottom on the used market, and while £1,000 only buys you a basic Club model powered by a 103bhp petrol engine, it still has seven relatively spacious seats.
Vauxhall’s Flex 7 seating arrangement was so good that it was carried over unchanged to the current Zafira Tourer, but do make sure the mechanism works in any car you’re looking at before you part with your cash – the seats should fold to leave a completely flat floor.
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi Sport (2004/04 reg, 120k miles)
Price new: £19,995
Now: £995
Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 136bhp
Economy: 39.2mpg
CO2/tax: 190g/km/£270
Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2002)
While the trend for crossovers has seen the X-Trail Mk3 turn into a soft-roader, the original was a genuine 4x4. With four-wheel drive on most models, it had more off-road ability than many owners would ever need, and it was more spacious than a Qashqai, too.
Mk1 X-Trails have dipped below £1k, but even these feature climate control, electric windows and mirrors and central locking. Sport models added a sunroof and six-disc CD changer, and while the torquey 2.2-litre diesel is a bit thirsty, it makes the Nissan a great tow car.