10 Used Winter Bargains

The Insignia has just sold, and sold, and sold, ever since it replaced the Vauxhall Vectra which had become dated by that time. The Insignia is a hugely popular company car capable of chewing up motorway miles with ease and composure. The 2.0 CDTi models are the most economical and the SRi spec offers the most comprehensive amount of kit. A new model of the Insignia is now on the market, meaning used models have taken a shot of depreciation recently and you’ll find a lot of Insignias have been maintained with no expense spared by fleet managers.

The starting price of the Juke is around £14,000 for an entry level model. Not a bad price, all things considered. The Juke is a practical hatchback/crossover with looks that split opinion right down the middle. What we can all agree on though is that it offers a comprehensive package for families and the exceptional safety figures and comfort offered by the high ride height will be enough to sway parents who are umming and ahhing. Two and a half years down the line and you can grab a 2012 model for under £7.5k with the ‘Tekna’ level trim, which is one below top-spec and will offer everything you need in terms of connectivity, comfort, soft-touch materials and nice alloys too. Definitely a cosy-cruiser to keep you warm this winter...

The quirky Fiat 500 was a blast from the past when it resurfaced in 2007 after laying dormant in the Fiat archives since 1975. The 500 is a hugely stylish car which has recently gone through a minor facelift, so pre-facelift models have dropped in value even though they look extremely similar. Now’s a good time to grab an early (07 - 09 plate) 500 with reasonable mileage, which can be had for under £4,000 from a franchised dealership. This will include a warranty too so you can have comfortable motoring with the peace of mind, just in case the worst was to happen.

It’s always a good time to buy a Golf. They’re a safe bet year-round and offer outstanding value for money as a family ‘all-rounder’ capable the school run, supermarket dash and everything in between without breaking a sweat. The ‘Mark 7’ Golf has now been out over 2 years, those who bought the car on a 2 year lease deal will be handing their keys back over right about now, meaning you can get into a well cared for Golf knowing that there is still 1 years worth of manufacturers-warranty left on it. The newest model is only just creeping under the £10k mark with average mileage but you can be sure depreciation will be slow from here on as reliability records have been exception, as expected.

The Freelander is no more. At the end of last year the new ‘Discovery Sport’ entered the limelight offering buyers a more luxurious, and slightly more ostentatious, option for those in the compact SUV market. The Freelander now lives only in the ‘used’ section but that’s no reason to look beyond the rugged entry-level off roader. The Freelander was the most capable vehicle in its segment at the time and the same is still true today. With 4x4 technology derived from the world-famous Discovery, the Freelander certainly has the pedigree to overcome the most demanding conditions through winter, whether that’s flood water in Cumbria or the snowfall in Scotland. The TD4 versions have now dipped well below the £20,000 mark and later models are still covered by the manufacturer warranty, just in case…

If you fancy something more prestigious for the winter months you’ll do well to find a more financially justifiable car than the Q5 from Audi. Reason-being, the Q5 has barely lost any value since introduction, in fact over 3 years and 30,000 miles a Q5 will retain over 70 percent of its original value. Now, if you’re in the used market this may seem like bad news, but you’ve already swerved the initial VAT cost, so you’ve already made a big saving there, but going forward into the future the Q5 will lose relatively little compared to alternatives… Plus it is one of the most luxurious, well equipped, comfortable and capable 4x4 on the market.

Perhaps you’re not looking for an SUV or 4x4 this winter? Fair enough, why not look at something more luxurious in the Jaguar XF. The XF has always had a lovely warm leather interior to match the supple ride offered by the luxury car-maker's flagship saloon. A new XF is on the market though, so as expected the older models have taken a hit of depreciation. This happens every time a model is replaced and is good news for those looking to pick up a bargain. For under £10k now you can land yourself in an XF with average mileage and a high level of spec. The XF is also a nice quirky alternative to the typical C Class, 3 Series and A4, which are commonplace on the roads nowadays.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that if a car is incredibly popular, the ongoing demand will mean the vehicle will hold its value. Apparently not. Evidence of this is the Vauxhall Astra, which needs no introduction here, it is hugely popular, one of the best selling cars in the UK year on year, but it holds just 43% of its value after 1 year of ownership from new. Again this isn’t great if you own one from straight out of the showroom, but great news if you’re on the used market. If you want to spend just north of £6,000 on a family hatchback then the Astra is the one for you. For this you’ll get the newer, more modern body shape and a car with some of the manufacturer's warranty still left on it. The new model has just come out too, see these prices may drop further into the new year, but it’s certainly an exciting time to be looking on the market...

A lot of readers would be surprised at just how cheap you can pick up a Nissan Leaf for. Surely a car with such forward-thinking technology and exceptional efficiency demands a tall asking price? Well, apparently not. We’ve got examples with under 25,000 miles selling for less than £8,000. The Leaf falls victim to a horrendous drop in value after one year on the road, retaining just 40% of it’s original value. Bad news for those who bought brand new, but great news for those looking to grab a bargain. A Used Leaf might be the most cost efficient purchase you make this year.

Based on the A3 hatch, the Q3 is Audi’s response to the changing consumer-choices which have begun to favour cars with a higher ride height that aren’t necessarily MPVs. The Q3 is the most efficient of Audi’s Q-range with the diesel models achieving well over 50mpg on a motorway run. One huge selling point for the Q3 is that it has held its value like no other vehicle in its class. After 3 years, a Q3 will have held 62.5% of its original value. Yes, this means they are more expensive on the used market, but once you’ve taken the initial hit of the higher asking price, you’ll be rewarded by a much more resistant price tag through ownership and you’ll see the benefits when you do eventually come to sell. The Q3 is a brilliant car for winter, featuring the world-famous ‘Quattro’ 4 wheel drive system and a typically exquisite interior. The Q3 is a rewarding and sensible choice on the used market.