Example report
Car up to £3,000
Listed in the last 2 weeks, within 30 miles of Stevenage
What was asked
Small cheap runaround for town, nothing fancy
- 1,981 adverts
- 20 passed
- 8 good
The 8 cars at a glance
Best first, in order of our score.
Sort by:
Our score
| Photo | Car | Price | Mileage | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 2012 Volkswagen up! 1.0 Take up! Euro 5 3dr 79,161 miles · 23 milesIt has passed all 12 MOTs on record without a single fail.Added 3 days before the search | £1,990 | 79,161 miles | 23 miles | |
| #2 2015 Fiat Panda 1.2 Pop Euro 6 5dr 90,920 miles · 11 milesPassed its MOT on 10 October 2026 with nothing listed, and it is valid until October 2027.Added 9 days before the search | £2,495 | 90,920 miles | 11 miles | |
| #3 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.0 1 Euro 5 5dr 76,000 miles · 26 milesIt has passed every MOT since 2020, and the September 2026 test listed only perished rear tyres and a slight…Added 5 days before the search | £2,149 | 76,000 miles | 26 miles | |
| #4 2014 Suzuki Alto 1.0 12V SZ Euro 5 5dr 52,000 miles · 30 milesIts August 2026 MOT passed with nothing at all listed.Added 9 days before the search | £2,300 | 52,000 miles | 30 miles | |
| #5 2013 Peugeot 107 1.0 12V Active Euro 5 5dr 58,083 miles · 27 milesPassed its MOT on 24 September 2026 with only film on the headlamps noted.Added 8 days before the search | £2,150 | 58,083 miles | 27 miles | |
| #6 2009 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr 85,000 miles · 29 milesIt's sold by a dealer with a 3-month engine and gearbox warranty, so you also get your legal rights as a…Added 3 days before the search | £1,499 | 85,000 miles | 29 miles | |
| #7 2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.2i LS Euro 5 5dr 29,537 miles · 29 milesOnly 29,537 miles, going up steadily at every MOT since 2015.Added 7 days before the search | £2,490 | 29,537 miles | 29 miles | |
| #8 2008 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i 16v Club 5dr 56,532 miles · 4 milesEvery MOT fail was put right at the retest, and the November 2025 pass listed nothing.Added the day before the search | £1,500 | 56,532 miles | 4 miles |
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#1 Good
2012 Volkswagen up! 1.0 Take up! Euro 5 3dr
£1,990
Cheaper than most similar Volkswagen up! manuals for sale (£1,500 to £4,495), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £1,900–£2,400 Start your offer around £1,750
- 2012
- 79,161 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.0 litre
- 59 hp
- 0–60 in 13.5 s
- 0–30 in about 4 s
- 63 mpg
- Hatchback
- Dealer
Rickmansworth, 23 miles awayadded 3 days before the search
Why it's good
- It has passed all 12 MOTs on record without a single fail.
- The listing says full service history, and the VW service book and wallet show in photos 5/19 and 6/19.
- The MOT runs to August 2027, so there's no test to face for 10 months.
- It's about £1,000 under your budget, from a business that names itself in the advert.
What to check
- Lift the boot floor and look for damp or standing water, a known up! leak point
- Read the date codes on all four tyres: on a car used this little, the rear tyres may be as old as the cracked fronts
- Brake firmly from speed and feel for judder or pulling: brakes that sit unused for years often stick or corrode
Last MOT advisories: rough cost to fix
about £230–£380
- Front brake discs and pads £130–£220
- Two front tyres £100–£160
Advisories aren't fails. Rough figures for an independent garage. Get a quote before you buy.
MOT: Valid until 18 Aug 2027
Last test 5 Aug 2026: pass at 79,161 miles. No fails in the last 3 years. About 2,849 miles a year, but only about 289 a year lately, so check the tyres, brakes and battery. 2 gaps in MOT cover (longest 33 days). 12 tests on record.
Advisories at the last MOT
- Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Slightly cracked. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Slightly cracked. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))
- Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: the up! is about 3.54 m long, a 3-door city car that parks easily in town Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: asks £1,990; 1.0 MPI rated around 60 mpg in a low tax band, no MOT fails since 2015; front tyres and discs due Has it Ask the seller
- Can you send the timing belt invoice showing the date and mileage?
- The listing shows 4 owners but your advert says 3. Which is right?
- Why has it been used so little since 2022, and was it kept in a garage or outside?
- Will you fit new front tyres and discs before the sale, or take the cost off?
- Will the receipt name your business, and what warranty is included?
-
#2 Good
2015 Fiat Panda 1.2 Pop Euro 6 5dr
£2,495
About the going rate for similar Fiat Panda manuals for sale (£1,499 to £3,490), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £2,200–£2,500 Start your offer around £2,200
- 2015
- 90,920 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.2 litre
- 69 hp
- 0–60 in 13.9 s
- 0–30 in about 4 s
- 54 mpg
- Hatchback
- Dealer
Luton, 11 miles awayadded 9 days before the search
Why it's good
- Passed its MOT on 10 October 2026 with nothing listed, and it is valid until October 2027.
- The site's vehicle check shows a full service history, two keys and three owners.
- The mileage has gone up steadily at every test since 2018, with no gaps in MOT cover.
- Only 11 miles away and about £500 under your budget.
What to check
- On the test drive, listen for knocks from the back over bumps and check it doesn't wallow. The rear shock absorbers were noted twice in 2025.
- Check the clutch bites cleanly and doesn't slip when you accelerate hard in 3rd. At about 91,000 miles it may be the original clutch.
MOT: Valid until 9 Oct 2027
Last test 10 Oct 2026: pass at 90,723 miles. 1 fail in the last 3 years, in Jan 2024 (1 major defect). About 8,671 miles a year. No gaps in MOT cover. 12 tests on record.
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: a 2015 Fiat Panda is a five-door city car about 3.65 m long, easy to park in town Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: £2,495 asking; the 1.2 petrol is rated about 54 mpg, low insurance group and cheap parts; a cambelt change by age is the main likely bill Has it Ask the seller
- When was the cambelt last changed, at what mileage, and can you show the invoice?
- What was done to the rear shock absorbers and the front exhaust mounting before the October 2026 MOT, and is there an invoice?
- When and where was the last service done?
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#3 Good
2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.0 1 Euro 5 5dr
£2,149
Below the average asking price for Mitsubishi Mirage manuals of this age, mileage and seller type (a rough guide, as few similar ones are for sale).
- 2014
- 76,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.0 litre
- 70 hp
- 0–60 in 12.8 s
- 0–30 in about 4 s
- 67 mpg
- Hatchback
- Dealer
Wembley, 26 miles awayadded 5 days before the search
Why it's good
- It has passed every MOT since 2020, and the September 2026 test listed only perished rear tyres and a slight gearbox oil leak.
- Brake disc and suspension dust cover warnings from 2021-2023 have not come back, so they look to have been dealt with.
- The dashboard photos read about 74,680 miles, in line with the steady MOT record.
- Chain-driven 1.0 engine, so no cambelt bill, and the MOT runs to September 2027.
- At £2,149 it is about £850 under your budget, and buying from a dealer gives you more legal comeback than a private sale.
What to check
- Look under the front where the gearbox meets the driveshafts for wet, fresh oil, and feel for notchy gear changes or whine on the test drive.
Last MOT advisories: rough cost to fix
about £170–£390
- Trace and fix gearbox oil leak £80–£250
- Two rear tyres £90–£140
Advisories aren't fails. Rough figures for an independent garage. Get a quote before you buy.
MOT: Valid until 29 Sep 2027
Last test 26 Sep 2026: pass at 74,630 miles. No fails in the last 3 years. About 5,242 miles a year. No gaps in MOT cover. 13 tests on record.
Advisories at the last MOT
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: the 2014 Mirage is a city car about 3.7m long with a very tight turning circle, easy to park in town (photo 5/17). Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: the 2014 Mirage 1.0 three-cylinder is rated about 65 mpg with very low road tax; £2,149 asking and cheap 14-inch tyres. Has it Ask the seller
- Is there a service book or any invoices, and when was the oil last changed?
- How many owners has it had?
- Has the gearbox oil leak been looked at, and will you fit two rear tyres before sale or allow for them?
- What fee do you add for paying by card, and does any warranty come with the car?
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#4 Good
2014 Suzuki Alto 1.0 12V SZ Euro 5 5dr
£2,300
About the going rate for similar Suzuki Alto manuals for sale (£1,000 to £4,999), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £2,050–£2,400 Start your offer around £2,000
- 2014
- 52,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.0 litre
- 67 hp
- 0–60 in 12.7 s
- 0–30 in about 4 s
- 66 mpg
- Hatchback
- Private seller
London, 30 miles awayadded 9 days before the search
Why it's good
- Its August 2026 MOT passed with nothing at all listed.
- Only about 52,000 miles, rising steadily year by year.
- The 2023 rust fails were fixed at the retest, and the strut and brake pipe rust warnings from 2025 have since gone.
- Chain-driven 1.0 engine, and the MOT runs to August 2027.
- At £2,300 it is at the going rate for an Alto and about £700 under your budget.
What to check
- With a torch, check the rear axle spring seats, the front strut tops and the brake pipes: you want solid metal, not flaking rust or fresh filler.
- Check the odometer reads about 52,000 and no warning lights stay on, as the listing has no dashboard photo.
MOT: Valid until 7 Aug 2027
Last test 8 Aug 2026: pass at 51,624 miles. No fails in the last 3 years; before that, 1 in the last 6 tests, in Feb 2023. About 3,878 miles a year. 1 gap in MOT cover (longest 10 days). 12 tests on record.
Aug 2025 MOT, not seen since
- Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Feb 2024 MOT
- Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to brake flexi hose
- Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened spring cup
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: the 2014 Alto is about 3.5m long, one of the smallest five-door cars, ideal for town parking (photo 3/20). Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: the 2014 Alto 1.0 is rated about 65 mpg with very low road tax and cheap parts; £2,300 asking. Has it Ask the seller
- Do you have invoices for the 2023 rear spring mount repair and any strut mount or brake pipe work since 2025?
- What service history comes with it, and when was the oil last changed?
-
#5 Good
2013 Peugeot 107 1.0 12V Active Euro 5 5dr
£2,150
About the going rate for similar Peugeot 107 manuals for sale (£1,395 to £3,995), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £1,850–£2,100 Start your offer around £1,850 Pay no more than £2,100 (£50 under the asking price)
- 2013
- 58,083 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.0 litre
- 67 hp
- 0–60 in 11.6 s
- 0–30 in about 3.5 s
- 66 mpg
- Hatchback
- Private seller
Northolt, 27 miles awayadded 8 days before the search
Why it's good
- Passed its MOT on 24 September 2026 with only film on the headlamps noted.
- The worn front suspension links were renewed to pass in September 2024, and the 2025 tyre notes are gone.
- Its Toyota-built 1.0 engine has a timing chain, so there is no cambelt bill.
- About £850 under your budget, and the seller says the price is negotiable.
What to check
- The photos only show the dash with the ignition on and the engine light lit. Make sure it goes out once the engine is running.
- Feel the front footwell carpets and the boot floor for damp, as 107s often leak there.
- Test the clutch: in 3rd gear at low revs, press the accelerator hard and make sure the revs don't flare.
Last MOT advisories: rough cost to fix
about £10–£40
- Remove the film from both headlamp lenses
Advisories aren't fails. Rough figures for an independent garage. Get a quote before you buy.
MOT: Valid until 23 Sep 2027
Last test 24 Sep 2026: pass at 58,083 miles. 1 fail in the last 3 years, in Sep 2024 (4 major defects). About 3,752 miles a year. 2 gaps in MOT cover (longest 26 days). 13 tests on record.
Advisories at the last MOT
- Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
- Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Sep 2024 MOT fail, fixed
- Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (both sides)
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: a Peugeot 107 is about 3.4 m long, one of the smallest five-door city cars Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: £2,150 asking; the 1.0 is rated about 65 mpg, in a low road tax band, with a chain-driven engine Has it Ask the seller
- Is there any service record or receipts, and when was the oil last changed?
- How long have you owned it, and where has it been kept?
-
#6 Good
2009 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr
£1,499
Cheaper than most similar Ford Fiesta manuals for sale (£1,199 to £2,199), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £1,250–£1,450 Start your offer around £1,300 Pay no more than £1,450 (about £50 under the asking price)
- 2009
- 85,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.2 litre
- 81 hp
- Hatchback
- Dealer
West Drayton, 29 miles awayadded 3 days before the search
Why it's good
- It's sold by a dealer with a 3-month engine and gearbox warranty, so you also get your legal rights as a buyer.
- The January 2026 MOT listed only worn front brakes, and the 2025 track rod and drive belt advisories had gone.
- Mileage rises steadily, and the dash shows 85,707 (30/37), in line with the advert.
- Aircon, fog lights and an aux socket are shown in the photos (33/37, 35/37, 36/37).
- About £1,500 under your budget.
What to check
- Lift the front mats and feel the carpets for damp: water leaks are a common fault on this Fiesta.
- On the test drive, listen for whine or rumble from the gearbox in first to third gear, and feel for judder through the pedal when braking.
Last MOT advisories: rough cost to fix
about £120–£200
- Front brake discs and pads
Advisories aren't fails. Rough figures for an independent garage. Get a quote before you buy.
MOT: Valid until 8 Jan 2027
Last test 9 Jan 2026: pass at 79,331 miles. 2 fails in the last 3 years, in Dec 2023 and Jan 2025 (4 major defects). About 4,512 miles a year. 6 gaps in MOT cover (longest 317 days). 17 tests on record.
- MOT due in 87 days
Advisories at the last MOT
- Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Jan 2025 MOT, not seen since
- Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play
Jan 2025 MOT fail, fixed at the retest
- Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: the Mk7 Fiesta is a supermini about 3.95m long, easy to park and nimble in town Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: £1,499 asking; the 1.25 petrol is rated about 49 mpg, but front brakes are due and its cambelt date is unknown Has it Ask the seller
- Will you fit new front pads and discs and a fresh 12-month MOT before the sale?
- When was the cambelt last changed, and is there an invoice?
- Who provides the 3-month warranty, what is the claim limit and what does it exclude?
- What does the part service history cover, and when was the last oil service?
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#7 Good
2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.2i LS Euro 5 5dr
£2,490
Too few similar Chevrolet Spark manuals for sale to compare the price.
- 2012
- 29,537 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.2 litre
- 80 hp
- 0–60 in 11.4 s
- 0–30 in about 3.5 s
- 55 mpg
- Hatchback
- Dealer
Milton Keynes, 29 miles awayadded 7 days before the search
Why it's good
- Only 29,537 miles, going up steadily at every MOT since 2015.
- Has passed all 12 MOTs on record without a single fail.
- Two owners and a full service history on the site's vehicle check.
What to check
- On full lock in both directions, listen for clicking from the front wheels. The nearside driveshaft boot has split twice, so grit may have reached the joint.
- Look under the back at the brake pipes and floor for heavy rust.
- Run the air conditioning and check it blows cold.
Last MOT advisories: rough cost to fix
about £125–£230
- Nearside front CV boot £80–£150
- Nearside rear tyre £45–£80
Advisories aren't fails. Rough figures for an independent garage. Get a quote before you buy.
MOT: Valid until 21 Apr 2027
Last test 16 Apr 2026: pass at 28,069 miles. No fails in the last 3 years. About 1,896 miles a year. 1 gap in MOT cover (longest 13 days). 12 tests on record.
Advisories at the last MOT
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Minor defect: Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))
Apr 2025 MOT, not seen since
- Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
Apr 2024 MOT, not seen since
- Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (both sides)
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: a 2012 Chevrolet Spark is a five-door city car about 3.6 m long Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: £2,490 asking; the 1.2 petrol is rated about 55 mpg, chain-driven engine, only 29,537 miles Has it Ask the seller
- Will you renew the split front CV boot before sale, and was the joint itself checked?
- Were the rear brake pipes replaced after the 2022 to 2024 advisories, and is there an invoice?
- Is the AA warranty included in the price, and what does it cover and for how long?
- When was the last service and oil change?
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#8 Good
2008 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i 16v Club 5dr
£1,500
Cheaper than all similar Vauxhall Corsa manuals for sale (£1,790 to £3,295), allowing for age, mileage and seller type.
Fair price £1,300–£1,600 Start your offer around £1,300
- 2008
- 56,532 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 1.4 litre
- 89 hp
- 0–60 in about 12 s
- 0–30 in about 3.5 s
- 48 mpg
- Hatchback
- Private seller
Welwyn, 4 miles awayadded the day before the search
Why it's good
- Every MOT fail was put right at the retest, and the November 2025 pass listed nothing.
- Low 56,532 miles, matching the dashboard photo (2/8), with no warning lights showing.
- Partial service history with paperwork, and the seats, carpets and boot look clean (5/8, 7/8, 8/8).
- At £1,500 it is half your budget, leaving plenty for the December MOT and any work.
- Just 4 miles from Stevenage, so a cheap trip to see it.
What to check
- From a cold start, listen for a rattle in the first few seconds, a sign of a stretched timing chain on this 1.4.
- The exhaust has leaked at four tests since 2021: with the engine running, listen along it for blowing and look for patched joints or heavy rust.
MOT: Valid until 2 Dec 2026 (due in 50 days)
Last test 26 Nov 2025: pass at 55,409 miles. 2 fails in the last 3 years, in Nov 2024 and Nov 2025 (4 major defects). About 2,556 miles a year. No gaps in MOT cover. 20 tests on record.
Nice to have
small car, cheap to buy and runWhat you'd like This car small carOur view: the 2008 Corsa D is a supermini about 4m long, a bit bigger than a city car but still easy to park in town (photo 4/8). Has it cheap to buy and runOur view: £1,500 asking and cheap common parts; the 2008 1.4 does about 45 mpg but costs about £200 a year to tax. Has it Ask the seller
- Will you put a fresh MOT on it before sale, or take the December test into account in the price?
- What was replaced on the exhaust in November 2025, and do you have the invoice?
- What does the partial service history cover, and when were the oil and filter last changed?
- How has it been used in recent years: mostly short trips, and kept on a drive or garaged?
Cars we turned down
Before reading any advert in full, we dropped:
- 31 cars for a dangerous MOT defect in the last three years
- 14 cars for more than a month without an MOT in the last three years
- 12 cars for structural rust or damage at an MOT in the last three years
- 7 cars for no readable number plate, so we couldn't find their MOT history
- 2 cars for an MOT that had run out
- 1 car for three or more failed MOTs in the last three years
- 1 car for a mileage that went down between MOTs
- 1 car for a number plate that didn't match the car's records
Some got further. These looked promising until we read them properly:
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Read in full: turned down
2011 Peugeot 107 1.0 12V Urban Euro 5 3dr
Advertised as: 2011 · 66,520 miles · £1,495 · Tottenham, 22 miles away
The advert says the tyres are in very good condition, but the MOT three days before it was listed found both front tyres nearly worn out.
- Its 6 October 2026 MOT advised that both front tyres were worn close to the legal limit. The advert, listed three days later, says "Tyres In Very Good Condition".
- Thin front brake pads and worn front suspension and anti-roll bar bushes were advised in August and October 2026. Only the bulbs were fixed to pass.
- It went 14 days without an MOT and covered just 25 miles in five weeks. It looks like a trade car fixed up just enough to sell.
-
Read in full: turned down
2010 Ford Ka 1.2 Studio Euro 4 3dr
Advertised as: 2010 · 70,198 miles · £1,090 · Lower Edmonton, 20 miles away
The seller admits a noise in gear that could be the gearbox, and the advert's MOT date doesn't match the record.
- The advert says "Light bearing noise when driving in gear hence price". If it's the gearbox rather than a wheel bearing, the fix could cost £400 to £700, over half the price.
- The advert says it was MOT'd in August, but the official record shows its last MOT was on 29 April 2026, so parts of the advert may be copied or careless.
- It's sold by a trading company on a private-style listing.
-
Second check: turned down
2013 Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic Euro 5 5dr
Advertised as: 2013 · 93,000 miles · £1,495 · Chesham, 22 miles away
It passed the first read, but the second check found only one photo, a trader on a private-style listing and an MOT that runs out in November.
- There's only one photo, so the sides, the back and the inside are unseen.
- A trader is selling it through a private-style account, which can make your consumer rights harder to use.
- The MOT ends on 19 November 2026. If it fails after you buy, the repair bill is yours unless the seller puts a new MOT on it first.
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