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Car finance ›
Best Cities to Buy a Used Car
Updated: Friday, 20 September 2024
Choosing a used car offers several advantages. These cars often come in a wider variety of models and are usually more cost-effective. But, when deciding where to buy a used car, it’s important to consider the dealership’s reviews, as well as the car’s price.
So, which UK cities are the best if you’re looking to buy a used car? The bad credit car finance experts at Moneybarn have analysed UK cities based on local dealership reviews and the average cost of a used car.
The best places to buy a used car
1. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, used car score: 9.77/10
Our study found that Kingston upon Hull is the top city for buying a used car, scoring 9.77 out of 10. It has the highest percentage of excellent reviews, 85%, and a low 10% of terrible reviews, suggesting high customer satisfaction. The average used car price in Hull is £16,425, making it the third-most affordable overall.
2. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, used car score: 8.16/10
Nottingham ranks second with an overall score of 8.16 out of 10. It has a strong satisfaction rate, with 73% excellent reviews and 18% terrible. The average price of a used car in Nottingham is £18,599, slightly higher than in Hull.
3. Swindon, Wiltshire, used car score: 7.82/10
Swindon takes the third spot with an overall score of 7.82 out of 10. 70% of the reviews are excellent, and only 12% are terrible, suggesting that most buyers have a positive experience. Swindon’s average used car price is £19,673, slightly higher than the other top 2 cities but within an affordable range.
The worst places to buy a used car
1. Northampton, Northamptonshire, used car score: 1.84/10
Northampton ranks as the worst place to buy a used car, with the lowest overall score of 1.84 out of 10. Only 50% of the reviews are excellent, while over a third are terrible at 35%, indicating high customer dissatisfaction. The average used car price in Northampton is £24,209, which is on the higher side, given the satisfaction ratings.
2. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, used car score: 1.95/10
Huddersfield is tied with London for the second-worst place to buy a used car, with an overall score of 1.95 out of 10. Despite 58% of excellent reviews, 34% of reviews are terrible, indicating some dissatisfaction. Additionally, Huddersfield has the highest average used car price at £36,696, making it an expensive market compared to other areas of the country.
2. London, Greater London, used car score: 1.95/10
London also scores 1.95 out of 10, tying it with Huddersfield for the second-worst place to buy a used car. In London, 57% of reviews are excellent, while 30% are terrible. The average used car price in the city is £30,083, which is high, especially considering the mixed reviews.
The cheapest cities to buy a used car
1. Bristol, average used car price: £9,406
Bristol is the cheapest place to buy a used car, with an average price of £9,406. This low average cost might attract more budget-conscious buyers looking for the most affordable deals on used cars.
2. Luton, Bedfordshire, average used car price: £11,251
Luton ranks second with an average used car price of £11,251. While slightly higher than Bristol, Luton still offers very competitive pricing and is much cheaper than the third-placed city, Kingston upon Hull.
3. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, average used car price: £16,425
Kingston upon Hull takes the third spot, with an average used car price of £16,425. Hull is the third-cheapest-priced market for used cars in the UK, which contributes to its ranking among the top 3 places to buy used cars overall.
The most expensive cities to buy a used car
1. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, average used car price: £36,696
Huddersfield is the most expensive place to buy a used car, with an average price of £36,696. This makes it the priciest location for used car buyers, significantly higher than other cities, with a market where prices are well above the national average of £23,670.
2. Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, average used car price: £31,567
Edinburgh ranks second with an average used car price of £31,567. As Scotland’s capital, it offers a wide range of used cars, but buyers should be prepared for the higher costs here, making it one of the most expensive places in the UK to purchase a used car.
3. London, Greater London, average used car price: £30,083
London comes in third with an average used car price of £30,083. The capital city is known for its broad selection and variety of vehicles, but these come at a premium, with prices among the highest in the country.
Methodology
The data in this study is accurate as of August 2024.
The 30 most populated towns and cities were analysed on the following factors:
- % of “excellent” reviews
- % of “terrible” reviews
- Average used car price
Reviews data was sourced from Car Dealer Reviews’ Dealership League Table and is correct as of 30 August 2024. Reviews on the site are categorised as either excellent, very good, average, poor, or terrible, and this study used the percentages that were either excellent or terrible. Any places with fewer than 20 dealerships listed on the site were excluded.
The average used car price was calculated using listings on the AA. As with the reviews, these are correct as of 30 August 2024, and any places with fewer than 20 used car listings were excluded.
The following cities and towns were excluded due to having fewer than 20 for one or both of the above factors:
- Bradford
- Belfast
- Southampton
- Wolverhampton
- Aberdeen
- Swansea
- Southend-on-Sea
Each place was given a normalised score out of 10 for each of the 3 factors, and an average of these scores was calculated, with each factor given equal weighting.
It’s important to note that the average cost of used cars in a particular area can be influenced by the types of cars typically sold there. For instance, in affluent areas where luxury cars are more common, the average price may be higher due to the presence of high-end models. This means that a higher average cost does not necessarily indicate you are getting more value for your money; rather, it reflects the types of vehicles on the market. Therefore, consider the specific models you’re interested in and their availability in the area.
Choosing a used car offers several advantages. These cars often come in a wider variety of models and are usually more cost-effective. But, when deciding where to buy a used car, it’s important to consider the dealership’s reviews, as well as the car’s price.
So, which UK cities are the best if you’re looking to buy a used car? The bad credit car finance experts at Moneybarn have analysed UK cities based on local dealership reviews and the average cost of a used car.
The best places to buy a used car
1. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, used car score: 9.77/10
Our study found that Kingston upon Hull is the top city for buying a used car, scoring 9.77 out of 10. It has the highest percentage of excellent reviews, 85%, and a low 10% of terrible reviews, suggesting high customer satisfaction. The average used car price in Hull is £16,425, making it the third-most affordable overall.
2. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, used car score: 8.16/10
Nottingham ranks second with an overall score of 8.16 out of 10. It has a strong satisfaction rate, with 73% excellent reviews and 18% terrible. The average price of a used car in Nottingham is £18,599, slightly higher than in Hull.
3. Swindon, Wiltshire, used car score: 7.82/10
Swindon takes the third spot with an overall score of 7.82 out of 10. 70% of the reviews are excellent, and only 12% are terrible, suggesting that most buyers have a positive experience. Swindon’s average used car price is £19,673, slightly higher than the other top 2 cities but within an affordable range.
The worst places to buy a used car
1. Northampton, Northamptonshire, used car score: 1.84/10
Northampton ranks as the worst place to buy a used car, with the lowest overall score of 1.84 out of 10. Only 50% of the reviews are excellent, while over a third are terrible at 35%, indicating high customer dissatisfaction. The average used car price in Northampton is £24,209, which is on the higher side, given the satisfaction ratings.
2. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, used car score: 1.95/10
Huddersfield is tied with London for the second-worst place to buy a used car, with an overall score of 1.95 out of 10. Despite 58% of excellent reviews, 34% of reviews are terrible, indicating some dissatisfaction. Additionally, Huddersfield has the highest average used car price at £36,696, making it an expensive market compared to other areas of the country.
2. London, Greater London, used car score: 1.95/10
London also scores 1.95 out of 10, tying it with Huddersfield for the second-worst place to buy a used car. In London, 57% of reviews are excellent, while 30% are terrible. The average used car price in the city is £30,083, which is high, especially considering the mixed reviews.
The cheapest cities to buy a used car
1. Bristol, average used car price: £9,406
Bristol is the cheapest place to buy a used car, with an average price of £9,406. This low average cost might attract more budget-conscious buyers looking for the most affordable deals on used cars.
2. Luton, Bedfordshire, average used car price: £11,251
Luton ranks second with an average used car price of £11,251. While slightly higher than Bristol, Luton still offers very competitive pricing and is much cheaper than the third-placed city, Kingston upon Hull.
3. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, average used car price: £16,425
Kingston upon Hull takes the third spot, with an average used car price of £16,425. Hull is the third-cheapest-priced market for used cars in the UK, which contributes to its ranking among the top 3 places to buy used cars overall.
The most expensive cities to buy a used car
1. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, average used car price: £36,696
Huddersfield is the most expensive place to buy a used car, with an average price of £36,696. This makes it the priciest location for used car buyers, significantly higher than other cities, with a market where prices are well above the national average of £23,670.
2. Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, average used car price: £31,567
Edinburgh ranks second with an average used car price of £31,567. As Scotland’s capital, it offers a wide range of used cars, but buyers should be prepared for the higher costs here, making it one of the most expensive places in the UK to purchase a used car.
3. London, Greater London, average used car price: £30,083
London comes in third with an average used car price of £30,083. The capital city is known for its broad selection and variety of vehicles, but these come at a premium, with prices among the highest in the country.
Methodology
The data in this study is accurate as of August 2024.
The 30 most populated towns and cities were analysed on the following factors:
- % of “excellent” reviews
- % of “terrible” reviews
- Average used car price
Reviews data was sourced from Car Dealer Reviews’ Dealership League Table and is correct as of 30 August 2024. Reviews on the site are categorised as either excellent, very good, average, poor, or terrible, and this study used the percentages that were either excellent or terrible. Any places with fewer than 20 dealerships listed on the site were excluded.
The average used car price was calculated using listings on the AA. As with the reviews, these are correct as of 30 August 2024, and any places with fewer than 20 used car listings were excluded.
The following cities and towns were excluded due to having fewer than 20 for one or both of the above factors:
- Bradford
- Belfast
- Southampton
- Wolverhampton
- Aberdeen
- Swansea
- Southend-on-Sea
Each place was given a normalised score out of 10 for each of the 3 factors, and an average of these scores was calculated, with each factor given equal weighting.
It’s important to note that the average cost of used cars in a particular area can be influenced by the types of cars typically sold there. For instance, in affluent areas where luxury cars are more common, the average price may be higher due to the presence of high-end models. This means that a higher average cost does not necessarily indicate you are getting more value for your money; rather, it reflects the types of vehicles on the market. Therefore, consider the specific models you’re interested in and their availability in the area.
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
