A practical family SUV with a high spec, and some may still have manufacturer warranty left.
Watch out for: Check that any warranty is still valid and that the service history is complete.
Roomy and well equipped, a close relative of the Sportage.
Watch out for: Test DCT automatics for jerky or hesitant changes.
A practical crossover with a higher seating position that makes fitting child seats easier.
Watch out for: Test CVT automatics and check for warning lights.
Stylish and comfortable, with a practical boot.
Watch out for: Some PureTech petrol engines have known timing belt issues. Check the belt has been serviced on time.
Spacious and with a good reliability reputation, including hybrid versions.
Watch out for: Check the service history and test all the electrical equipment.
A roomy SUV that drives well, with petrol, diesel and hybrid versions.
Watch out for: Check any recall work has been done, especially on plug-in hybrid versions.
A much newer SUV for the money, with simple mechanicals and low running costs.
Watch out for: The interior is basic. Check the spec and the service history.
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Measure the boot: take the buggy or a big bag to the viewing.
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Check the child seat fittings: look for ISOFIX points where you need them and check they are easy to reach.
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Safety rating: check the Euro NCAP rating for the model year you are looking at.
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Fuel type: a petrol or hybrid suits short school runs better than a diesel.
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Finance: family cars are often bought on PCP, so run a finance check before you pay. Checks to run before you buy any of these
A good model can still be a bad car. Whatever you pick from this list, the history of the individual car matters more than the badge.
1.
Run the registration through a free vehicle check and make sure the make, model, colour and year match the advert. 2.
Read the MOT history for mileage that rises steadily and for advisories that keep coming back. See how to check MOT history. 3.
Check for outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers with a full report before you pay anything.
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Match the V5C to the seller and to the VIN on the car. Our V5C guide shows what to look at. 5.
Take our free used car checklist to the viewing so you do not miss anything on the test drive. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best family car under £15,000? It depends on what you need. The Skoda Octavia estate gives the most space for the money, while the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai suit families who want an SUV.
Is an SUV better than an estate for a family? Not always. Estates often have bigger boots and lower running costs, while SUVs make it easier to get children in and out.
Should a family car be petrol, diesel or hybrid? For short trips and school runs, petrol or hybrid is usually best. Diesel suits families who do a lot of long motorway journeys.
How do I check a family car is safe? Check the Euro NCAP rating, the MOT history and for any write-off record. A car that has been in a serious accident should be declared as a write-off.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
The cars on this list are popular, which also makes them common on finance and common in insurance write-off records. Silver Plus adds the finance check, and Gold is the most complete report.
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Free check: start with the free vehicle check for the make, model, colour, year and MOT and tax status. •
Silver: the core vehicle history check. Finance is not part of Silver, but it can be unlocked separately. •
Silver Plus: adds the outstanding finance check, which matters on any car that may have been bought on PCP or HP. •
Gold: the most complete report, adding ex-taxi, salvage and valuation checks. See all our lists in best used cars UK, or go straight to the best used cars under £5,000, best used cars under £10,000, best first cars under £5,000, best automatic cars under £10,000, best reliable diesel cars, best reliable petrol cars, best used hybrid cars, best used EVs.