The best used cars to buy in 2026
The secondhand cars that every PHer should consider, in every segment that matters...
Supercars | McLaren 720S
Now looks like a great time for a prospective 720S buyer. The 750 has replaced it, and is just-ever-so-slightly better, while it’s also some way from being the most affordable McLaren, so it doesn’t hog the headlines as a 200mph supercar for hot hatch money. But the first 4.0-litre McLaren looks incredible value as its 10th birthday nears, with little more than £100,000 securing an early example. And that buys one of the greatest series production supercars of this century. It upped the performance and ability of a Super Series McLaren, thanks to the MonoCage II and new engine, while also boasting the style, theatre and excitement that previous Maccas hadn’t quite delivered on. The fact that the 750S didn’t really alter a huge amount from the 2017 car demonstrates just what was achieved. A milestone, in other words. And this one is little more than 911 Carrera money after 13,000 miles.
Nearly new | Maserati MC20
With the Maserati MCPura imminent, deals are surely there to be done on the incredible MC20. Like an Alpine A110 with twice the power: deft, thrilling, engaging, hugely special - and too often overlooked for the equivalent Porsche.
Sports cars | Alpine A110
Speaking of the Alpine, it had to get the sports car nod. It has always been a contender in the category, of course, because it looks cool, drives beautifully, and celebrates lightness in a unique, compelling fashion. There really is nothing like an A110, and that deserves celebrating. More so than ever, in fact, with production about to finish and its electric future uncertain. And while purchasing what could be one of the last combustion-engined Alpine sports cars would be undeniably special, the A110 really has been great from the get-go; it never needed a refresh to be superb, so all of them come highly recommended. This 2019 S boasts a little extra oomph and a more focused chassis that makes it better suited to circuit, but honestly it’s almost impossible to go wrong with an A110. Which is why it’s such a great sports car to buy right now, and likely for a long time to come as well.
Nearly new | Lotus Emira V6
More than £20,000 off a 50-mile, 75-plate example of the best-looking Lotus sports car since the original Elise? With a manual gearbox and a V6? Sign us up…
Coupes | BMW M2 Competition
While it is to BMW’s credit that it still offers a 2 Series-shaped M car with a turbo straight six, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, you probably don’t need us to tell you what’s wrong with it. Like so many new cars, it’s heavier, more complicated and pricier than it used to be; on top of looking as it does. While it drives very well for such a big car, it’s hard to be as excited about this generation. The original M2, however, requires no such qualification: it looks great, it drives brilliantly, and it has an interior designed by adults, for adults. Arguably it’s the modern M car as it should be, as usable as it is thrilling and as fast as it is fun. Firm ride notwithstanding, as an all-round coupe package it’s hard to fault. Which is why we’ll keep recommending it, and why you’ll still need more than £35k for a really good one. But values are holding pretty strong…
Nearly new | Ford Mustang GT
With the Mustang range now V8 only and better to drive than ever, there’s not a bad one in the bunch. A Dark Horse is the best in the stable, though it’s hard to argue with a few hundred miles, a six-speed manual, and not much more than £50k.
Track cars | Toyota GR86
While those who know their Coppice from their Craner Curves might crave something a little more intense as a track car offering, the 86 is simply too sorted to ignore as a circuit option. The larger engine over a GT means proper performance; the revised assists provide a much less severe helping hand; and it’s been kept light, which will reduce wear on consumables. Alongside a wonderful chassis balance, confidence-inspiring control weights and a good driving position, it’s the perfect thing to hone your craft in, from heel-and-toe to opposite lock. With some racier pads and fluid it’ll be good for loadsa laps - and there’s always the GR86 Cup to take inspiration from for further modification. Plus there’s the added benefit, if any further convincing were required, of strong residuals: this £29k car would have cost £30k 12,000 miles and three years ago…
Nearly new | Caterham 420R
Before too long, there won’t be new Duractec-engined Caterhams any more, and the world will be a worse place. This one beats the build queue, and will keep you smiling for years to come.
Convertibles | Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder
It says a lot about the 718 Spyder’s quality, much like the GR86 in fact, that it could still be a selection in more than just this category. There is absolutely a case for it being in the track or sports car to recommend, for example. But with the glamour of the Spyder conversion against a standard Boxster, plus all the joy of a 420hp GT4 experience with roof down thrills, this Porsche is a very easy tip as best used convertible. Particularly with production now wound up. Cheaper than an RS, more exciting than a GTS, and just as usable as any other Boxster, the Spyder really is the mid-engined Porsche sports car at its absolute zenith. With a manual gearbox here, too. One for the ages.
Nearly new | Mazda MX-5 (ND)
Thanks to a raft of revisions in 2024, the ND MX-5 is now better than it’s ever been. And still available for close to £30k. What’s stopping you?
Hot hatches | Hyundai i30N
On the basis that there are very few hot hatches left, it feels like you can’t miss when buying secondhand. Having said that, Hyundai’s recent intimation that it is seriously pondering a return to combustion in a segment where it already builds by far the best zero-emission option (i.e. the Ioniq 5 N) speaks volumes about customer mindset in 2025. Either way, the i30 N, unfairly cast aside last year, looks much as it ever did - which is to say decent value. Granted, it drinks like a fish and was never blessed with the most nuanced chassis in the world, yet its route one approach was always intended to invoke a chest-out, old-school attitude; accordingly, it made the much more discreet Golf GTI seem a wee bit anaemic. Still does.
Nearly new | Mercedes-AMG A45 S
The prices being asked for box-fresh hot hatches these days are bonkers, given it’s only the premium flagship stuff left. This makes the initial depreciation cliff-like, making a nearly new A45 S expensive, but also a comparative bargain.
Super saloons | Mercedes-AMG C63
Plenty of choice here, too, thanks to the popularity of upmarket, big-engined German execs. BMW is typically the go-to given the perennial strength of the M3 (take your pick, really) though on the basis of the controversial schnoz we’ve swerved in the opposite direction and gone for the Q-car appeal of a very buttoned-down Mercedes-AMG C63. Needless to say, the really loveable bit is the hot vee 4.0-litre V8 underneath, and its unfettered connection to the rear axle. This one has very modest miles and has apparently been attended to like a firstborn child. Best of all, it’s available for significantly less than £40k, making it seem like a steal versus the all-wheel-drive super saloon that everyone loves to hate.
Nearly new | Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
We might be stretching the ‘nearly new’ description here, but the Giulia is hard to leave out: brand new, you’ll pay £80k. Two years old, it’s under £60k. Only the presence of even cheaper, older examples precludes no-brainer status.
Fast estates | Alpina D3 S (G21)
Assuming you’re not wildly opposed to the prospect of a performance diesel, you’re looking at arguably the best do-it-all car money can buy. Sure, BMW M has recently left its own very significant notch in the fast wagon bed post, but if you’ve got motorway miles to pile on, the D3 S puts a warm, oily duvet around you and never, ever lets it slip. Alpina’s high regard for rolling refinement and monster torque has always made sense in the real world, but there’s more than enough high-spec G20 left in the mix for it to seem like a pleasure against virtually any backdrop. Admittedly not cheap at nearly £55k - but Alpina is not making any more like it, ever. Given the choice between now and never, we’d heartily recommend now.
Nearly new | Skoda Octavia vRS
Old faithful, for many - and with good reason. Skoda has barely changed the recipe, except to make it progressively quicker. Won’t tickle your funny bone; will do pretty much everything else.
Luxury SUVs | Range Rover Sport V8
Cards on the table: the PH brain trust remains intrigued by the idea of a 5.0-litre V8-powered Range Rover Sport that isn’t an SVR. The combination, from our high horse, looks unbeatable; more than 500hp but without all the questionable carbon add-ons. Set against this, the fact that we’ve never driven one seems like a trifling detail - especially when one, with only average miles accrued and the later centre console, can be had for a smidge under £35k. Even with the usual reservations about older Land Rover products taken into consideration, it seems like an awful lot of upmarket SUV for the money. Who’s with us?
Nearly new | Aston Martin DBX 707
No need to refer this one to the gallery: we’ve driven the DBX 707 plenty, and it’s a peach. Even better if you can find one that has the best part of £50k trimmed from the retail price - like this one.
Traditional 4x4s | Land Rover Defender
Do we, objectively speaking, recommend you pay £58k for an old Land Rover Defender? No. The car was aeons past its sell-by date a decade ago, and there are umpteen superior options - not least the Discovery 4, which is much lovelier to drive and more liveable, and currently around half as much in good nick. But there are two additional factors to consider here. Number one, the concept of a genuinely ‘traditional’ 4x4 is practically extinct (save perhaps for the Ineos Grenadier or the car below), so if you really want one, you might as well buy the gold standard. Number two, the Defender has long since attained the status of modern classic, and therefore low-mileage, late models like this one are coveted like a Condor’s egg. In other words, you stand a decent chance of getting your money back, assuming you don’t want to do 20k miles a year in it. Which you probably won't.
Nearly new | Toyota Land Cruiser Series 70
Forgive us for closing with a very left-field option: the 70 Series is not for everyone, which is why Toyota doesn’t bother selling it over here. But the fact remains - if a Defender is too common by half, £70k buys you one of the most distinctive old-new cars available.
Unless the established European manufacturers sort their house out, I do fear for them with the relentless supply of Chinese cars flooding the market.
What are you smoking?
There is no Porsche equivalent to a MC20. Or at least there hasn’t been since a 918 or CGT.
It’s a mid-engined carbon tubbed supercar, Porsche don’t do one of those.
If you want to be lazy just get chatGPT to do it and shut up shop.
Goes to check how much they were new in 2019....
Spyder for me off that list.
I think a 340i xdrive touring would be the better bet for Q wagon over the Alpina?
Cheers,
T1b
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