1Good choice, check first
Photo: M 93, Public domain
Mitsubishi Lancer VIII
Score93/100
The cheapest to run: €368 per month for 12,000 km/year
- Monthly cost
- €368/month
- Observed prices
- €1,200 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
Best used cars under €5,000: the ranking
Models with listings surveyed under €5,000, ranked by reliability, real cost and versatility. The range shown is limited to listings within this budget.
Top of the ranking: Mitsubishi Lancer VIII. Most reliable on the list: SsangYong Rodius I (reliability 5.0/5).
- 1
2Buy with carePhoto: M 93, Attribution
Renault Mégane II
Score73/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- —
- Observed prices
- €1,700 – €4,500
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
3Good choice, check firstPhoto: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0
SsangYong Rodius I
Score71/100
The most reliable in the selection: 5/5
- Monthly cost
- €427/month
- Observed prices
- €2,500 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
4Buy with carePhoto: DieselFordMondeo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Clio II
Score70/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €277/month
- Observed prices
- €1,900 – €4,240
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
5Excellent choicePhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0
Toyota Yaris II
Score69/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- —
- Observed prices
- €3,000 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
6Good choice, check firstPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Lancia Delta III
Score67/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €290/month
- Observed prices
- €3,490 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
7Good choice, check firstPhoto: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai i10 II
Score65/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €297/month
- Observed prices
- €3,900 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
8Good choice, check firstPhoto: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Subaru XV I
Score65/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €360/month
- Observed prices
- €4,000 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
9Good choice, check firstPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain
Subaru Tribeca I
Score65/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €458/month
- Observed prices
- €4,000 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
10Good choice, check firstPhoto: High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 de
SsangYong Korando III
Score65/100
Petrol powertrain suited to your mixed driving
- Monthly cost
- €328/month
- Observed prices
- €3,000 – €5,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
What about electric?
If you can charge at home, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV I costs €186 per month, all inclusive.
Good choice, check first
How this ranking is calculated
Same calculation as our adviser, for a typical profile of 12,000 km a year of mixed driving: reliability (40%), cost (40%, monthly cost when known, otherwise entry price; neutral criterion when prices are missing) and suitability of the powertrain (20%). Run the calculation with your own criteria
Frequently asked questions
- Which is the most reliable of the used cars under €5,000?
- According to our guides, the best-rated for reliability are: SsangYong Rodius I (5.0/5), Mitsubishi Lancer VIII (4.5/5), Toyota Yaris II (4.5/5).
- What budget should you plan for used cars under €5,000?
- Observed prices range from €1,200 to €5,000 depending on the model, year and mileage. The all-in monthly cost (fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, at 12,000 km a year) ranges from €277 to €458.
- Which used cars under €5,000 call for the most caution?
- The lowest-rated for reliability in this ranking are: Renault Clio II (3.5/5), Renault Mégane II (3.5/5). Check their known faults before buying.