The best car for under £35k
Our guide to the best used car for less than £35k in the UK
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If you're looking for a used car and have a budget of £35,000, you're in a great position – there are plenty of impressive models to choose from, and this price point will give you wiggle room for flashy trims and features.
Whether you want an electric car, something sporty or a luxury machine, there will be something that suits your needs.
Best cars under £35k
Take a look at our top picks for the best car under £35k that you can buy in 2024, and scroll down to read why we love them.
MG4 EV
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One of our all-time favourite electric cars is the MG4 EV. It’s a sizeable SUV with a menacing appearance that won’t look out of place next to a guzzling Range Rover, and it's equally as fun to drive.
Range is impressive as well, with the standard SE trim offering 218 miles and the SE Long Range boasting up to 270 miles. You can recharge all models with a 7kWh charger in less than 10 hours.
Tesla Model 3
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A used Tesla Model 3 is another option we’d recommend, especially if you like to feel on-trend. This iconic model feels like a fish tank to drive in, thanks to all of the windows and glass roof, and it has a dashboard laden with tech.
It’s fun to drive, with the top-of-the-range Performance model capable of 0-60mph (Tesla doesn't give 0-62mph times) in just 3.1 seconds.
Charging won’t hold you back, either – the standard model gets up to 267 miles of range, while the Long Range model gets 360 miles.
Cupra Born
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Another spicy electric car, the Cupra Born is a sharply-angled hatchback with a ferocious rear-wheel-drive setup. You’ll get up to 231hp and can smash 0-622mph in 6.6 seconds – it’s a lot of fun to drive.
The Cupra Born claims an impressive mile range of up to 264 miles and can be rapid charged at 130kW – perfect for a quick boost on long journeys.
Best hybrid cars under £35k
A hybrid car is a great first step if you aren’t ready to ditch fuel completely, giving you the option for electric motor support alongside traditional petrol and diesel.
It’s easy to find the best hybrid cars under £35k when there are so many options, but which is the one for you?
Kia Niro
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A used Kia Niro is a very capable crossover SUV that’s perfect for families, with a tidy appearance and a comfortable interior that offers heated seats and plenty of legroom.
All models come with a six-speed automatic gearbox that’s smooth and won’t have you feeling held back. The same can be said for the plug-in hybrid Niro offering and its laidback drive, all while claiming more than 200mpg.
BMW 3 Series
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The BMW 3 Series is a car with a real fan club, and it’s recently offered us a hybrid engine that takes the edge of the fuel bill. The 330e claims up to 148mpg with WLTP testing and can drive for up to 37 miles using only electric power.
It’s a stunning car all-round. It drives as gorgeously as it looks, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. It easily puts out 252hp, boosting further to 292hp with the XtraBoost function.
Toyota Corolla
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Not quite as peppy as the 330e but every bit as efficient, a used Toyota Corolla is one of the best hybrid cars on the market. It’s a reliable cruiser that suits families, commuters, and even taxi drivers.
With a 2.0-litre engine, the Corolla is capable of up to 64.2mpg so is impressively efficient. It’s smooth to drive and comfortable to be driven in, with handy interior tech like the chunky infotainment screen and sat-nav.
Best performance cars under 35k
A budget of £35k for a performance car is a generous one – there are loads of feisty models that handle impressively, offer plenty of power, and are a lot of fun to drive.
Jaguar F-Type
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The Jaguar F-Type was designed purely with performance in mind, aiming to provide the perfect driving experience. You can pick from all-wheel or rear-wheel drive, but both feel sharp, with balanced suspension and plenty of power.
There are currently two engine setups to choose from – a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that can hit 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, or a 5.0-litre V8 model that does 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds.
BMW M135i
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The BMW 1 Series is an impressive car in itself, but we particularly love a used BMW 135i model for a performance car under £35k. The engine on offer is a 2.0-litre petrol that produces 301hp and can hit 0-62mpg in just 4.8 seconds.
It’s impressively rapid but it’s also got finesse, with a slick eight-speed gearbox and four-wheel-drive setup. If you want something punchy and powerful but still elegant, the M135i is a top choice.
Best sports cars for 35k
If you’re after the best sports cars for £35k and under, you’re pretty much going to be spoilt for choice. There are plenty of sporty models on the market that will fit your price point.
Mazda MX-5
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An iconic little cruiser with added convertible fun, a used Mazda MX-5 is a cute sporty pick that can really do no wrong. It’s compact but comfortable, easy to live with, and a lot of fun to drive.
If you want something really refined, pick the 2.0-litre petrol engine is ideal for daily cruises but also makes light work of the motorway.
In fact, you could even regard the MX-5 as fuel-efficient, with its 44.8mpg figure from the 1.5-litre engine.
BMW M2
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The BMW M2 is among the brand’s smallest car offerings, but it packs the type of performance that wouldn’t feel out of place on the 3 Series. It’s a sporty little model that feels light and nimble on the roads.
In the M2 Competition, you can hit 0-62mph in just four seconds. That’s thanks to a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine and an impressive seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Best used luxury cars under £35,000
Driving around in a luxury car is a real pleasure, and you can do this at a lower price point with some of the best used luxury cars under £35k. Take a look at a few of our favourites.
Range Rover Velar
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A used Range Rover Velar is a great option if you love the appeal of a rugged SUV but can’t stop thinking about sleek and modern designs. It’s a stylish pick that has always been loved by motorists with an eye for design.
All Velar models are available as petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models. They’re easier to drive than their bulky size would lead you to believe, with a flashy interior that includes all the bells and whistles.
BMW X1
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If you’re after an SUV but don’t want to shake off the luxury appeal, a used BMW X1 is another impressive pick. With a choice of rear- and four-wheel-drive models, all options are agile and nippy.
The interior gets that famed BMW rotary controller to use with the infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay included. It’s functional, comfortable, and very elegantly designed.
Volvo XC90
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Volvo is a sneaky one that comes in and easily rivals the big brands – there's not an Audi, BMW or Mercedes SUV that can easily blow a used XC90 out of the water.
It’s an elegant SUV with a minimalistic and rugged feel – perfect for those who want genuine but premium practicality.
There’s the T8 twin engine plug-in hybrid option for extra fuel efficiency, as well as a couple of petrols and diesels that still get a mild-hybrid touch.
What makes a used car good for under £35,000?
The best cars under £35,000 are going to be the ones you fall in love with, but you’ll also need to make sure they’re safe, reliable, and suit your lifestyle.
While a chunky Range Rover might have you falling head over heels (or wheels...), it might not be the best car if you live in a busy urban area with tight parking. Consider these types of lifestyle factors to see if the car is the right fit.
It’s also worth checking reliability ratings and driver reviews – not all expensive cars are reliable, so be vigilant and well-researched when purchasing.
Things like Euro NCAP safety ratings can help aid your decision. The best cars under £35,000 will have a full five-star rating so you know they’re safe and secure.
Fuel efficiency can also be an important factor for lots of drivers (or mile range if you’re opting for an electric car), as well as running costs like tax and insurance.