Summer has arrived and a new trend is emerging in the choice of a car for travel: buying a used car for less than 20 thousand euros instead of renting it. According to data from the Federconsumatori National Observatory, in the week from 20 to 26 June the rental of a medium-sized car, without additional insurance and accessories, was quoted at 634.52 euros, about 67% more than in 2021. against, says Antonio Gentile, Country manager for Italy of Carvago, a site specializing in the sale of used cars online, ” the used car market with a few years of life, in good condition and purchasable with less than 20 thousand euros, offers good deals ”. After a year of almost uninterrupted growth, prices are starting to drop across Europe. First of all – Carvago notes – because customers are taking delivery of their new vehicles ordered months ago, thus increasing the supply of used ones, and then because the seasonal summer slowdown in demand is accelerated this year by uncertainty and prospects. economic losses caused, directly or indirectly, by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In Italy in the second quarter of the year the average price of a car up to 5 years of service was 21,950 euros, down 6.6% compared to the previous quarter. The average mileage also drops: from 60,042 to 51,500 km (-4.2%), and the share of diesel remains high (51%). But to go on vacation with the family which are the cheapest used cars to buy? A search by Carvago.com has selected at least five for a budget of less than 20,000 euros. Here they are, with the strengths and weaknesses.
FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON
It excels in the compact class in terms of driveability and families will appreciate the large trunk or assistance systems. The electric safety lock for children or the retractable protections for the edges of the doors are useful. Pros: driving comfort, large trunk, sophisticated remote access functions via the app. Weaknesses: unattractive interior, fluctuating build quality, small AdBlue tank. What to check: battery condition, shafts vibrations, wiring defects.
OPEL INSIGNIA SPORTS TOURER
If the performance on the road is without infamy and without praise, the aesthetics are pleasing, it is extraordinarily spacious, it has excellent and versatile seats. The search criteria also include units with a two-liter twin-turbo diesel with 154 kW (209 hp) and all-wheel drive. Strengths: livable interior space, presentable appearance, availability of powerful engines, 4×4 handling. Weaknesses: too powerful steering, old fashioned instrumentation. What to watch out for: clogged EGR valve, timing condition on diesel 1.6.
RENAULT KADJAR
It is the only SUV present in the review. According to Carvago, the others are too small or too expensive to fall within the definition of “family car under 20 thousand euros”. The Kadjar instead is longer and higher, more suitable for adults. There are many Kadjars on the market with a rich endowment and a much more affordable price than their German rivals with similar characteristics. You can find all-wheel drive cars, but 95% of used Kadjars are front-wheel drive. For petrol engines, Carvago suggests avoiding the TCe 1.2, which does not show good performance, but in 2018 it was replaced by a new 1.3-liter 140 or 160 TCe (depending on power). Diesels are a safe bet and the 96 kW (130 hp) 1.6 is recommended. Strengths: excellent ratio between size, equipment and price, used cars do not have excellent mileage. Weaknesses: the range is completely devoid of powerful engines, build quality and average driveability. To keep an eye on: the 1.2 TCe engine.
SEAT LEON ST
If you are willing to overlook some details, such as the less harmonious interior with hard and cheap plastics as well as the small dashboard screen, in the Leon you will find the same technology as the Golf Variant at a much better price and with much more agile cornering performance. You can find a Leon with a methane engine in the limited edition, or a two-liter diesel and four-wheel drive. Strengths: sporty handling, wide range of engine options, including quads, universal availability of parts and service, better prices than technically similar group cousins. Weaknesses: obsolescence (new generation on the market starting in 2020), poor interior, weaker suspension comfort, often from corporate fleets or rental companies. What to check: the state of the cooling system and the 7-speed DSG gearbox (the 6-speed is more reliable on diesels).
VW GOLF SPORTSVAN
It lives somewhat in the shadow of the longer Touran, but if you don’t need seven seats or a giant trunk, the Sportsvan is an excellent choice for a full-sized family. You will find the comfort of an SUV, with similar characteristics even on the street and, thanks to the sliding rear bench, it is possible to modify the spaces according to the passengers and their needs. Children will love the standard folding tables in the front seats. Strengths: good visibility for all passengers, variable interior, seamless handling, overall refinement. Weaknesses: Multilink axle only on the most powerful engines, poor materials in the basic Comfortline set-up. What to keep an eye on: especially the state of the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.