I'm a used car expert, and this is the 'budget-friendly' and 'highly capable' motor I'll be buying this spring

The Irish Sun

26-04-2025

I'm a used car expert (with a young family), and with my cash, I'm buying this particular motor this spring.
It's a budget-friendly and highly capable compact SUV. It looks good, drives well and is available at an incredibly attractive price.
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The MG ZS is my choice of used car this year
Credit: MG
It is, of course, the MG ZS.
Children and expensive cars don't mix well. SUVs are great for carrying around kids, bikes, and all the other stuff you need, but they're expensive.
Sure, the Nissan Qashquai or VW T-Cross look great, but fill them with sand, half-eaten snacks and a boot full of bikes, and you'll soon see your pride and joy turned into junk. The answer? The petrol-engined MG ZS.
You can pick up a nearly new MG ZS for just over £10k on
READ MORE USED CARS
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This 2025 MG ZS SE EV is one of many available on Sun Motors for under 18K
Model: MG ZS
Why so cheap? The average MG ZS suffers from 67% depreciation in its first three years, says
Learn why you should seriously consider the MG ZS as your next car.
Benefits of the MG ZS
The MG ZS is cheap if you're buying used. When buying a family car, you want something that's cheap to buy, insure and run. The MG ZS ticks all the boxes.
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It's not the most refined motor and the future resale value is likely to be low, but for a growing family that uses (and abuses) their cars, it's an ideal choice.
You can drive with confidence as the MG offers a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty on its cars. That's similar to market leader Kia, but at about half the price of the Kona or Sportage.
There's more in-car entertainment and driving support than on a 3-year-old Dacia Duster, and for our money, it's more fun to drive too.
Who would the chosen car suit?
The MG ZS is a compact SUV that's ideally suited for use as a family car.
It's not a capable off-roader and isn't a 4x4. (If you want one of those, get a 4x4 Dacia Duster.)
It's a budget motor that should last a long time, and not cost the earth to run.
Even better, as we've explained, the first owner has taken the hit, so you should be able to get a great deal on a used MG ZS.
Sun Motors: Buy your next vehicle today
If you're part of the 3.3 million Brits looking to buy a used vehicle this year, Sun Motors is an ideal place to start
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Buying the MG ZS new vs used
Buying any MG new is, at the moment, at least, a bad idea. The original MG brand was a British classic.
Today, the Chinese-owned modern MG brand is fighting for market space with UK drivers not yet convinced to buy in massive numbers.
As we've said, new MG's lose a massive 67% of their value in the first few years. That means you're getting a lot of car for not a lot of cash.
When you buy a used MG ZS, you'll have the pick of the market (as you'll see in our choice of the best MG ZS models for sale today below).
Prices for used MGs are highly attractive and competition is low, so you could strike a good deal. With all used cars, it's better to go for a low-mileage car with a full-service history.
Driving the MG ZS
The MG ZS isn't the most refined SUV, but we like the big grill and bold MG badge.
It's a standard shape with an elevated driving position that makes every SUV driver feel like the king or queen of the road (and drive like it, too).
It's not a small car and it can be a challenge to park sometimes, especially if you're dealing with a backseat rammed with screaming kids, but it was your choice to have them, so you'll have to deal with it.
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This 2025 MG ZS 1.5 SE 5dr is one of many available on Sun Motors for under 20K, coming in at £18,495 with just 5 miles on the clock
Model: MG ZS
While cheaper to buy than the Duster, it feels classier with a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen, Bluetooth connection (enabling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and built-in sat nav adding to the experience.
Like most modern SUVs, it feels light to handle. Acceleration from the older 1.5-litre or more recent 1.0 litre petrol engine is nothing special, but that's not your major concern when driving with kids.
Safety, on the other hand, is, with the older MG ZS getting a four-star NCAP rating.
Despite the low price, the MG doesn't feel – or drive – like a cheap car. That's why it's our pick as a superb spring bargain.
The top three MG ZS cars for sale on Sun Motors right now
Lowest-priced MG ZS
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Model: MG ZS SUV 1.5 VTi-TECH
This beautiful red MG ZS SUV 1.5 VTi-TECH is available for just £6,499 – or a miniscule £133 per month (with a PCP agreement).
It comes in the top-tier, Exclusive trim, which includes 360-degree parking cameras, heated front seats and blind-spot monitoring.
This low-mileage model looks in great condition, with fantastic bodywork and a fresh interior.
Nearly new MG ZS
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Model: MG ZS 1.0T GDi Exclusive
This MG ZS 1.0T GDi Exclusive is less than a year old and can be yours for a few Happy Meals (and fruit bags) under £16,500.
Again, we've selected the Exclusive trim because we think it's worth the extra. You'll find the 1.0-litre engine more economical than the larger 1.5-litre engine on older models.
The manual is, for our money, nicer to drive than the automatic (although that's personal preference).
You can find cars with fancier colours, but classic white works. It also keeps the price down.
Eco-friendly MG ZS
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Model: MG ZS 115kW Trophy Connect EV Long-Range
We've not been carried away with the green revolution just yet, but this eco-friendly MG ZS 115kW Trophy Connect EV could change our minds.
It's a standard modern MG ZS shape with an aggressive grill design (with the flap for the charger). Talking of charging, you'll get 273 miles out of a full fill-up.
The Trophy trim features some lovely extras, including a panoramic sky roof, leather-style seats (not real leather, so eco-warriors can relax), roof rails and heartwarming heated front seats.
It's cheaper than other like-for-like EV SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai e-Power.
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