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Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
How cheap communist car maker became one of Britain's best-selling budget brands
There are a handful of cars that are celebrated for 'putting the world on wheels'. The Volkswagen Beetle, the Citroen 2CV and the Mini historically gave buyers four wheels for little cash, and in doing so gained huge fame. Today there's another brand that's making waves doing a similar thing for modern drivers: Dacia. The Romanian car maker started life as a national manufacturer with a goal to provide reliable and affordable cars to all Romanians - it has since metamorphosed into an unmitigated global success story. So, how have its cheap cars and back-to-nature branding combined to build up over 8million customers since its 2004 rebrand? Freda Lewis-Stempel drove the new Dacia Duster around Romania in a bid to understand the brand's gutsy outdoors origins and learn the formula that's led these frugal cars to become worldwide bestsellers. A brief history of Dacia: From Romania to UK roads Dacia was founded in Romania in 1996 under the Romanian Communist Party, with Dacia taking its name from a direct reference to the ancient region of Dacia, which is now part of Romania. A bit like the Volkswagens of Germany, the objective was clear: to provide modern, reliable and inexpensive cars for all Romanians. In 1999 Renault took over Dacia, and the mass-market Dacia models recognisable today started to go on sale in Europe. The Logan saloon came first in 2004, followed by the Sandero and Duster models by 2010. Costing just €5,000, the Logan revolutionised the automotive market and achieved huge commercial success. The Sandero and Duster built on this, bringing budget, no frills motoring to city drivers and rural dwellers. Then in 2013 Dacia launched in the UK, offering families its Sandero supermini for £5,995. That was the same price as a Ford Fiesta in 1989. The TV proudly said: 'We don't do frivolity, function's our thing'. Dacia's core branding hasn't changed since then, with the most expensive model on offer today, the Bigster, costing £25,215. Even in the new electric car market Dacia's setting the benchmark of affordability with its Spring EV. This small city car has a price tag of £14,995, making it the cheapest electric car in the UK by some mileage. In fact, the only model in Dacia's six-car line-up that costs over £20,000 is the Bigster, with the entry-point Sandero setting a new car buyer back £14,715. We know Dacia in the UK for cheap prices, low-running costs, reliability and unashamed functionality, but in its home country what else does Dacia symbolise? Dacia in Romania – the cars that move a country It was 7am on day two of the trip and I was walking along an empty mud road (see below picture) to Bran in the Carpathian Mountains when an elderly woman drove round the bend. Whether I was more surprised to see her, or her me, I don't know. But what didn't surprise me was that she had absolutely no concerns about tackling a mudslide mountain track in a saloon car from 2004 when it had been raining all night. Why was she so blasé when British drivers would worry about tackling that very same 'road'? Probably because she was in a Dacia. The 'road' to Bran: This is where I saw a woman in her late seventies driving a 2004 Logan without a worry or thought for the steep climb or the amount of rain that fell the night before Seeing a Dacia at this point was standard. There was no setting, no terrain, no circumstance where there wouldn't be a Dacia. That's because 60 per cent of Romanians drive a Dacia. To put that in context, a French Parc Auto survey in 2020 found that French brands make up 62 per cent of French households' fleets. But that includes Renault, Citroen, Peugeot – Renault itself made up 22 per cent. I had this bonkers three in five stat in my mind before I went to Romania and yet I naively started counting how many Dacias I could spot the first morning I was there. I counted about 20 in a remote rural village at 3,280ft altitude in less than 60 minutes, and unsurprisingly decided this game was rather futile. So by the time I saw the speeding grandma on day two I was almost immune to the ubiquitousness of Dacia. It was only to be expected that wherever you'd go, a Dacia would follow. It's hard to properly convey what seeing 60 per cent of the same kind of car on the road is like; in the UK the closest you can probably get is that you're surprised in London if you order an Uber and it isn't a Toyota Prius. But still not even comparable. Dacia's constant presence in Romania reminds you of the true sense of a car: it's a vehicle to get you from A to B. For so many people in the world, and Romanians in particular, a car is a need and not a want, and it's easy to forget that when you're constantly surrounded by drivers wanting the latest, showiest motors. Reliability, low running costs, and 4x4 capability are all needed. Chat GPT, 100 ADAS features, heated seats, Wifi and 360 cameras aren't needed. Dacia's popularity hammers this point home incredibly clearly. And you can't help but be infected with the sense of national pride that Dacia holds in Romania as you drive around the country's jaw-dropping landscape: Dacia is Romania's most famous export and holds great historical and cultural importance in the country. Providing accessible and reliable vehicles to the Romanian people has made Dacia not just a staple on the roads of Romania but a symbol of Romanian industrial strength and ingenuity. Dacia is a symbol of Romanian industrial strength and ingenuity, and puts the agricultural heart of the country on wheels Rural life in Romania - how Dacia is integral to the heart of agricultural working Romania is the country with the highest number of farmers in the EU, with almost 3.5 million farmers or just over 44 per cent. And 90 per cent of these are small farms of less than 5 hectares. In an age of industrial farming that's a hugely rare statistic, and it only goes to show how integral small scale farming is to Romanian life. A website I looked at to learn more about Romania before I went said: 'In rural areas, you will most likely see either a horse yoke or a Dacia'. Never has information been more accurate. In the mountain Transylvanian areas I saw traditional shepherds and their enormous Mioritic Sheepdogs moving the flocks, cows crossing the roads, horse and carts doing a steady 20mph on the main roads, and Dacias. If a farmer drove a car it was a Dacia. So, the 60 per cent of Romanians drive a Dacia stat actually goes much deeper - at the heart of it is how these communities and traditions are kept alive thanks to the budget transport Dacia offers Romanian farmers. And that's what Dacia stays true to in the way it builds and markets its cars - it's all about the wilderness and rural life. Every farm has a Dacia: This was a typical small farm up in the mountains and of course it had a Dacia, as did the farm next to it Dacia's brand positioning and clever marketing Dacia's sense of fun goes hand in hand with its rugged origins, and this combination has proved to be a winning one when it comes to advertising its cheap as chips cars. Commercial campaigns have played humorously on Dacia's lack of luxury, instead flagging up that Dacia does the basics well. Famous TV adverts include the Sandero ads 'Lawnmower feature?', 'Ping Pong' and 'Mermaid?', all of which amusingly suggest unnecessary features the Sandero could have while reinstating that the Sandero actually has all the features you need – such as high mpg and low costs. The Duster 'Another One Drives a Duster' advert took the original Queen song, redrafted the words to focus on the facelifted Duster, and showed the 'elite' classes coveting a Duster. It was a home run. Then the later 'Go Duster' commercial based on the Ghostbusters theme tune highlighted how the Duster gave you a family off-roader with just the gadgets you needed, all to an upbeat song that you'd come to associate with the model. Through commercials Dacia wanted people to know unequivocally what the brand offered, what buying a Dacia would mean, and how your life would be better with a Dacia. Dacia's commercial team nailed the brief, hugely helping Dacia to achieve its brand positioning and sales strategy that's led to today's success. Dacia sales success - how many Dacia drivers are there worldwide? In 2024 Dacia sold almost 680,000 vehicles worldwide – a 2.3 per cent increase on 2023. Not only was this a strong performance in itself, but it also meant Dacia secured 3.9 per cent of the Passenger Car and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales in Europe, and 4.5 per cent of Passenger Car sales alone. Hitting a major milestone, Dacia surpassed nine million vehicles sold since its 2005 relaunch, with the Sandero being crowned the best-selling car in Europe in 2024 with almost 310,000 units sold. By the end of 2025 Dacia is expected to have sold around 280,000 vehicles in the UK. Currently Dacia cars are on sale across 44 countries in Europe, providing eight million customers with its value for money cars – some feat for a communist car company from the 60s. Dacia has also announced another £15k electric car will be arriving very soon which means that Dacia could soon be the brand of trusted and cheap electric cars too. Electric cars just as dedicated to the function over frivolity promise of course.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
India-Bound Renault Duster 7 Seater (Boreal) Bags 3-Star ENCAP Safety Rating
The Dacia Bigster, a larger SUV based on the Dacia Duster platform, has achieved a 3-star safety rating at the Euro NCAP crash tests. This rating reflects the SUV's performance in side-impact protection and its ability to mitigate whiplash injuries, and the overall safety. The Dacia Bigster is equipped with six airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and load limiters. It features a front passenger airbag cut-off switch, a seat belt reminder, and Isofix child anchor points. To enhance its crash test performance, the vehicle includes Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) for vulnerable road users and motorcyclists, AEB for car-to-car collisions, speed assistance, lane assist, and a system for detecting driver fatigue and distraction. Let's take a look at the scores it received. Adult Occupant Protection The Dacia Bigster achieved 27.7 points, equivalent to 69%, in the Adult Occupant safety assessment. During frontal offset crash tests, the passenger compartment proved to be stable, providing good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger. However, the driver's chest protection received a weak rating. In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection for both the driver and rear passenger was deemed marginal. The side impact tests yielded excellent protection for all critical body areas, resulting in maximum points. Despite this, the absence of measures for far-side impact protection led to a poor rating in that category. Child Occupant Protection The Dacia Bigster scored 42 points (85 percent), in the Child Occupant Safety Assessment Test. Both 6- and 10-year-old child dummies were well protected during frontal and side impact tests. The vehicle allows for the front passenger airbag to be deactivated for the use of rearward-facing child seats, and it provides clear guidance to the driver about this feature. However, the Duster lacks a child presence detection system. Vulnerable Road Users The Dacia Bigster scored 38.2 points, or 60%, for pedestrian and cyclist protection. The bonnet offers decent protection in most areas, but the base of the windscreen and its pillars provide poor safety. The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system works well for pedestrians and cyclists but lacks features like cyclist door prevention. Pelvis protection is poor, while femur protection is good. The knee and tibia protection had mixed results. Safety Assist Systems The Dacia Bigster received 10.3 points, or 57%, for its safety assist features. These include an advanced eCall system, monitoring for driver status, and a lane support system that gently keeps the vehicle in its lane. However, it doesn't have some advanced features found in other models, such as rear-seat occupant detection and comprehensive AEB, which lowered its score in this area. While the Dacia Bigster continues to be unavailable in India, the third-generation Renault Duster is expected to debut in the country later in the first half of 2026. After the Duster, its 7-seater sibling, the Renault Boreal, is also planned for a later launch.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert
motor match Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I've driven my fair share of cars, and it's helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor. In this guide, I've selected some of my favourite used cars. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It's also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree. Whether you're a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we've got you covered. These cars are the used cars I'd buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let's start with my top choice of used car in the UK. What is the best used car to buy? Practical? Check. Affordable? Check. Reliable? Check. Fashionable? Err, maybe… All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster. 8 Model: Dacia Duster It's a great family car that's also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4x4 version). In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great. It's pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg. It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000. Dacia owners are like Millwall fans. Everyone hates them, and they don't care. Don't judge them until you've driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you'll probably buy a Dacia too. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here. Which used car should I buy? You're an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want. Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories. Best used city car 8 Model: Skoda Fabia The Skoda Fabia is a great-looking little car that's practical, safe and reliable. You'll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it's small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort. The Skoda Fabia isn't a blow-your-socks-off city car like the Audi A1, for example, but it's cheaper to buy and run. When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won't be as bothered. We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000. Best used for rural driving 8 Model: Subaru Forester Modern Range Rovers aren't the rugged beasts of the past (unless you're paying for premium models), so we're going for the Subaru Forester. These are a farmer's favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality. Top Gear calls it 'comfy, spacious and dependable', which is what you want from a rural runaround. Reliability, too, is amazing. It's not the most refined driving experience and the interior can leave you a bit cold, but countryside folk aren't worried about looks. Resale value is great as well. The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we're going old school with the 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0i XE. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors here. Best used car for first-time drivers 8 Model: Ford Fiesta Join generations of new drivers with the Ford Fiesta. First-time drivers will want a low-cost car that's affordable to insure. You'll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more). It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain. New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Zetec S. Best used family car 8 Model: Citroen C3 The Citroen C3 is a cool and compact city car that's just about big enough to fit a young family in. Classed as a supermini, it's surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great. When you drive it, it's fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss. Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, says WhatCar?, with the brand building some excellent cars. Check out this nearly new, 2022 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Shine Plus. It's a lot of car for £15,499, and with just 4,000 miles on the clock, it's ready for a few more family holidays… Best used luxury cars 8 Model: Range Rover Evoque This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice. But, if you're looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you're talking about a Range Rover Evoque. It's the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want. This 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is at the affordable end for a Range Rover. It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which pushes out 249 bhp. That will help you achieve a top speed of 142 mph and hit 60mph from a standing start in 7.4 seconds Best used small car 8 Model: Kia Picanto Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time. Turns out to be the former and we're huge fans of its small car, the Kia Picanto. It's small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car. While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic. The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S is an affordable and sporty small car with extra points for the go-faster stripe on the side. Car buying FAQs Here are some of the most common questions we're asked about buying a used car. When is best to buy a used car? When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You'll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much. If you're looking for the perfect time to buy a used car, it's today… What's the best mileage on a used car? In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much. What's more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who. A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that's mostly done on long motorway runs. Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear. Discover our experts' top 5 best-mileage used cars that will go the distance and find out what mileage is good on a second-hand car. Where to buy used cars Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You'll find the UK's best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can't remember. Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place. Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you're looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert
FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I've driven my fair share of cars, and it's helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor. In this guide, I've selected some of my favourite used cars. 8 The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It's also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree. Whether you're a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we've got you covered. These cars are the used cars I'd buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let's start with my top choice of used car in the UK. What is the best used car to buy? All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster. 8 Model: Dacia Duster It's a great family car that's also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4x4 version). In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great. It's pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg. It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000. Dacia owners are like Millwall fans. Everyone hates them, and they don't care. Don't judge them until you've driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you'll probably buy a Dacia too. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here. Which used car should I buy? You're an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want. Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories. Best used city car 8 The Skoda Fabia is a great-looking little car that's practical, safe and reliable. You'll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it's small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort. The Skoda Fabia isn't a blow-your-socks-off city car like the Audi A1, for example, but it's cheaper to buy and run. When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won't be as bothered. We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000. Best used for rural driving 8 Model: Subaru Forester FIND HERE Modern Range Rovers aren't the rugged beasts of the past (unless you're paying for premium models), so we're going for the Subaru Forester. These are a farmer's favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality. Top Gear calls it 'comfy, spacious and dependable', which is what you want from a rural runaround. Reliability, too, is amazing. It's not the most refined driving experience and the interior can leave you a bit cold, but countryside folk aren't worried about looks. Resale value is great as well. The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we're going old school with the 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0i XE. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors here. Best used car for first-time drivers 8 FIND HERE Join generations of new drivers with the Ford Fiesta. First-time drivers will want a low-cost car that's affordable to insure. You'll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more). It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain. New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Zetec S. Best used family car 8 The Citroen C3 is a cool and compact city car that's just about big enough to fit a young family in. Classed as a supermini, it's surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great. When you drive it, it's fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss. Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, says WhatCar?, with the brand building some excellent cars. Check out this nearly new, 2022 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Shine Plus. It's a lot of car for £15,499, and with just 4,000 miles on the clock, it's ready for a few more family holidays… Best used luxury cars 8 Model: Range Rover Evoque FIND HERE This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice. But, if you're looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you're talking about a Range Rover Evoque. It's the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want. This 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is at the affordable end for a Range Rover. It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which pushes out 249 bhp. That will help you achieve a top speed of 142 mph and hit 60mph from a standing start in 7.4 seconds Best used small car 8 Model: Kia Picanto FIND HERE Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time. Turns out to be the former and we're huge fans of its small car, the Kia Picanto. It's small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car. While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic. The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S is an affordable and sporty small car with extra points for the go-faster stripe on the side. Car buying FAQs Here are some of the most common questions we're asked about buying a used car. When is best to buy a used car? When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You'll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much. If you're looking for the perfect time to buy a used car, it's today… What's the best mileage on a used car? In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much. What's more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who. A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that's mostly done on long motorway runs. Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear. Where to buy used cars Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You'll find the UK's best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can't remember. Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place. Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you're looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert
FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I've driven my fair share of cars, and it's helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor. In this guide, I've selected some of my favourite used cars. Advertisement 8 The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It's also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree. Whether you're a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we've got you covered. These cars are the used cars I'd buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let's start with my top choice of used car in the UK. What is the best used car to buy? Practical? Check. Affordable? Check. Reliable? Check. Fashionable? Err, maybe… Advertisement MORE IN USED MOTORS All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster. 8 Model: Dacia Duster It's a great family car that's also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4x4 version). Advertisement In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great. Most read in Buy Sponsored Sponsored Sponsored Sponsored It's pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg. It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000. Advertisement Don't judge them until you've driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you'll probably buy a Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors Which used car should I buy? You're an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want. Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories. Advertisement Best used city car 8 Model: Skoda Fabia The You'll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it's small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort. Advertisement The When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won't be as bothered. We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000. Best used for rural driving 8 Advertisement Model: Subaru Forester Modern Range Rovers aren't the rugged beasts of the past (unless you're paying for premium models), so we're going for the Subaru Forester. These are a farmer's favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality. Advertisement The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we're going old school with the Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors Best used car for first-time drivers 8 Model: Ford Fiesta Advertisement Join generations of new drivers with the You'll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more). It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain. New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Advertisement Best used family car 8 Model: Citroen C3 The Classed as a supermini, it's surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great. Advertisement When you drive it, it's fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss. Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, Check out this nearly new, Best used luxury cars 8 Advertisement Model: Range Rover Evoque This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice. But, if you're looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you're talking about a It's the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want. Advertisement This Best used small car 8 Model: Kia Picanto Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time. Advertisement Turns out to be the former and we're huge fans of its small car, the It's small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car. While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic. The Advertisement Car buying FAQs Here are some of the most common questions we're asked about buying a used car. When is best to buy a used car? When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You'll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much. If you're looking for the What's the best mileage on a used car? In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much. Advertisement What's more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who. A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that's mostly done on long motorway runs. Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear. Discover Advertisement Where to buy used cars Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You'll find the UK's best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can't remember. Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place. Buying a used car? Check out
