The 28 best used cars experts say you should consider in 2024 with a Volvo picked at number one

One of the best second-hand automotive to purchase this yr is a very smart possibility, in keeping with a panel of road-testing specialists.

What Automobile? has revealed the winners and highly-commended motors in its annual Used Automobile of the 12 months Awards – and the standout mannequin is one thing of a measured and rational choice from Volvo’s suite of sensible autos.

The motoring journal’s used automotive gong for 2024 has gone to the Swedish model’s XC40 SUV.

It narrowly beat a big selection of electrical autos, which have develop into much more interesting to motorists having suffered huge depreciation of their first yr and tumbled in worth to extra reasonably priced costs on the second-hand market.

Second-hand automotive costs have been softening in latest months having spiked to document excessive ranges following new car provide shortages post-pandemic.

The most recent Auto Dealer Retail Worth Index for September reveals the common used automotive worth falling to £16,450 – down 8.4 per cent on the identical month in 2023.

However whereas this latest market stability could also be excellent news for the used automotive purchaser usually, it hasn’t made it any simpler for drivers to decide on the best choice for his or her subsequent motor. 

What Automobile?’s annual Used Automobile of the 12 months Awards is designed to assist motorists make the selection by highlighting the very best used fashions throughout eight courses, starting from hatchbacks to SUVs, with an total winner chosen from the class winners.

Its choose of the bunch this yr is the Volvo XC40, which additionally scooped the ‘greatest used SUV’ class.

It was praised by the judging panel for its high-quality inside, very good refinement and family-friendly practicality.

This was sufficient to stave off competitors from plenty of electrical automobiles, particularly the Tesla Mannequin 3, Volkswagen ID.3 and Kia e-Niro, which all supply tempting value tags given the sizable fall in residual worth seen for EVs, which are inclined to dramatically fall in worth within the first 12 months of possession.

An unique examine for That is Cash by Cap Hpi earlier this yr revealed the importance of the first-year influence on EV residual values.

In seven comparisons with petrol or hybrid equivalents, the battery mannequin tended to depreciate much more quickly within the first 12 months -so a lot so, actually, that they fell to a cheaper price than the interior combustion engine possibility. 

Commenting on the XC40’s suggestion as the very best second-hand motor to purchase, What Automobile? used automobiles editor Mark Pearson, mentioned: ‘The duty of choosing out one winner can typically be a frightening one for our panel, however this yr the voting was unanimous.

‘The XC40 is the supreme all-rounder. It is a dependable and fascinating automotive that does nearly every thing exceptionally properly, which suggests you should purchase it together with your head in addition to your coronary heart. 

‘It is supremely versatile too as a result of you possibly can have it as a petroleum, diesel, gentle hybrid or totally electrical automotive.

‘It is the best way it excels in so many areas, in addition to the number of choices it provides the used automotive purchaser, that gave it the victory. 

‘The truth that this immensely interesting household SUV must also be such nice worth when purchased used simply sealed the deal for us.’

Different winners included the not too long ago disconitnued Audi TT (2014-2024), Honda Jazz (2020-present), Peugeot 5008 (2017-present) and BMW 330e (2019-present).

Along with the Used Automobile of the 12 months and the eight class winners, What Automobile? named plenty of different automobiles to think about in every class, with these excelling in areas that may be of specific curiosity to used consumers.

This is the total record of winners and highly-commended options throughout the eight totally different car segments:

What Automobile?’s 2024 Used Automobile of the 12 months winners and runners-up

The Volvo XC40 was praised for its ‘high-quality inside, very good refinement and family-friendly practicality’

OVERALL USED CAR OF THE YEAR 2024: Volvo XC40

The Honda Jazz gained the highest honour for used hatchback fashions

BEST USED HATCHBACK

Honda Jazz (2020-present)

Additionally take into account: 

BMW 1 Sequence (2011-2019)

Volkswagen ID 3 (2020-present)

Skoda Citigo (2012-2020)

The Tesla Mannequin 3 beat all its ICE rivals to take the award for greatest used exec automotive

BEST USED EXECUTIVE CAR

Tesla Mannequin 3 (2019-present)

Additionally take into account: 

Audi A4 (2015-present)

BMW 3 Sequence (2019-present)

BMW 5 Sequence (2017-2023)

Regardless of loads of competitors, Skoda’s versatile Octavia gained greatest second-hand property

BEST USED ESTATE

Skoda Octavia Property (2013-2020)

Additionally take into account:

Mercedes E-Class Property (2016-2023)

MG5 (2020-present)

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports activities (2019-present)

Ford Puma is a advisable used SUVs

BEST USED SUV

Volvo XC40 (2018-present) 

Additionally take into account: 

Ford Puma (2019-present)

Kia Sportage (2021-present)

What Automobile? says to look not additional than a Peugeot 5008 when you want a used 7-seater

BEST USED 7-SEATER

Peugeot 5008 (2017-present)

Additionally take into account: 

Audi Q7 (2015-present)

Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer (2018-2022)

Within the highly-competitive used electrical SUV ranks, Kia’s e-Niro got here out high

BEST USED ELECTRIC SUV

 Kia e-Niro (2018-2022)

Additionally take into account: 

Mercedes EQC (2019-2024)

Skoda Enyaq (2020-present)

BMW’s 330e was voted greatest used hybrid

BEST USED HYBRID

BMW 330e (2019-present)

Additionally take into account: 

Volkswagen Golf GTE (2015-2019)

 Volvo XC90 T8 (2015-present)

The last-generation Audi TT – discontinued this yr – is What Automobile?’s choose of the used sports activities automobiles for 2024

BEST USED SPORTS CAR

Audi TT (2014-2024)

Additionally take into account: 

BMW 4 Sequence Convertible (2021-present)

Ford Fiesta ST (2013-2017)

Mercedes-AMG C63 (2019-2024)