Used Small Cars & Superminis For Sale

Small cars are among the hottest used cars you can buy. More and more buyers realise that the latest generation of superminis can be just as good on the motorway as around town, and offer all the space many of us need.

The downside of that popularity is that prices have risen over 2009. You may be able to find larger hatchbacks and family cars of similar age for only slightly more money. Then again, these larger cars won't be as easy to park, inexpensive to insure or cheap to fuel as the best supermini.

Best supermini for value

The cheapest prices tend to be for cars which have been superseded in the new car market. Top of that list has to be the Ford Fiesta (02-08). The new Ford Fiesta is a better, roomier car but it isn't around in large numbers on the used car market just yet. However, its arrival has made the old model very good value. There are plenty to choose from, too. Autoquake usually has several in stock at different ages and price points.

Other cars which have recently been replaced include the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza. Both these cars drive well and make sensible, good value second-hand buys.

Best supermini for choice

The Vauxhall Corsa has one of the widest ranges of any supermini. There's a huge choice of engines and specifications to pick from. Last time we checked Vauxhall's price list, there were no fewer than 90 derivatives.

At one extreme, there's the SRi hot hatch. It's available as a petrol or a diesel. Either way, it's one quick used car. At the other end of the range, the 1.0-litre petrol is cheap to buy, and costs next to nothing to insure and fuel. It's a great first used car. In between, there are 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrols, plus 1.3 and 1.7-litre diesels. There are many different specification levels, too, ranging from the basic to the plush. Watch out for models which don't have air-conditioning, though. You're much better off buying a used Corsa with chilled air.

Best small car for reliability

Japanese used cars have a strong reputation for reliability, and with good reason. You'll struggle to find a more dependable supermini than the Honda Jazz. It finished third overall and top supermini in the 2009 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, and was 5th out of 100 cars for reliability in Auto Express magazine's Driver Power Survey.

Not only does very little go wrong with a used Honda Jazz, it's also exceptionally practical with an amazing amount of space for such a small car. The only real downsides are the firm ride and equally firm used car values. You'll pay a little more for a Jazz than for most used superminis, but if you want a car which won't let you down, it's worth the extra.

Best small car for safety

Of the superminis available in large numbers as used cars, you won't find anything safer than a Peugeot 207. When crash tested by safety experts Euro NCAP it scored five out five stars for adult occupant protection, four out of five stars for child occupant protection, and three out of four stars for pedestrian protection.

In general, look for cars with a good score from Euro NCAP, and try to find a model with electronic stability control. This will help avoid an accident in the first place.

Best supermini for style

It has to be the Mini. Nothing else really comes close.

The first-generation "new" Mini has now been replaced, but it's still in huge demand. Prices remain strong, so you'll pay a little more than for most used small cars of similar age and mileage. For the fashion-conscious the Mini has to be worth the premium.

If you love driving it's a great choice, too. The Mini is nimble and alert, even if you go for one of the more basic models. Step up to the Cooper or the Cooper S for a more powerful engine and greater thrills.