Never a better time to buy cheap used car with 4x4s, sports cars and even Jaguars available for less than £1,000
There has never been a better time to pick up a car for under £1,000 and NOT end up with a rusty old banger, according to motoring experts.
Better reliability, new technology and a glut of second hand models on the market - thanks to booming new car sales - mean canny consumers can bag a three figure bargain.
And instead of ending up with a clapped out Capri like Delboy, they could be driving off with a 4x4, sports car or even a Jag, said the investigation by motoring mag Auto Express.
It found examples of seven different kinds of car available for 'under a grand', all in good condition and on the open market.
The price tag on each was about the same as buying a coffee shop capuccino every day for a year.
And the good news for those who cannot tell one end of a dipstick to the other, none of them are falling apart or in need of any work, either mechanically or on the body. A Toyota CelicaBut buyers were warned that instead of being turned off by high mileage or overall age of the car, they should look for signs of wear and tear inside and rust on the outside before buying.
Cheap cars will have a high mileage but a well looked after car with 100,000 miles on the clock is better than one with fewer miles but needs more work, said Auto Express.
Increasing reliability, better technology and more fuel efficient engines means old cars are not as expensive to maintain as they used to be so the cheap ones are better quality than ever.
And with new car sales booming, it means more second hand ones are coming on the market so prices are depressed in order to shift them off the forecourts.
The examples of motors under a grand include a Jaguar XJ8, a Ford Ka, Vauxhall Zafira, VW Passat, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Celica and a Mini Cooper, a car from each of seven categories.
Auto Express said: "A low budget doesn't have to mean a low-quality.
"We've compiled a seven-strong, three-figure selection that covers hatchbacks, MPVs and crossovers, proving that the second-hand car market can provide you with almost any kind of drive at almost any kind of price."
The Magnificent Seven: Seven cars that cost less than a grand
SALOON
Volkswagen Passat 1.8T SE (2002/02 reg, 100k miles)
Price new: £17,590. Now: £785
Suto "Saloon cars are falling out of favour in the new car market, and that has a favourable impact on their second-hand price."
COMPACT
Ford SportKa SE (2004/04 reg, 80k miles)
Price new: £11,195 Now: £800
"Ford has a knack of producing sweet-handling small cars, and the original Ka is no exception. Kas are notorious for rust, so walk away from any model with bubbling paintwork, especially around the fuel filler."
LUXURY
Jaguar XJ8 3.2 (1998/R reg, 131k miles)
Price new: £36,405 Now: £900
"A Sub- £1,000 luxury car is something of a punt, because running costs will be as high as they were when the car was new. But there are some bargain Jag XJ8s out there."
SPORT
Toyota Celica 1.8 VV-Ti (140) (2001/Y reg, 93k miles)
Price new: £16,980 Now: £950
"A stylish coup . The wedge-shaped looks were designed to attract younger buyers. What's more, this potential future classic also promises near-bulletproof reliability."
MINI
MINI Cooper 1.6 (2001/51-reg, 115k miles)
Price new: £11,600 Now: £995
"Now could be the time to bag a bargain, before the car ends up in the realms of modern classic territory. Find one with a full service history to prove it has been looked after, rather than simply opt for the one with the lowest mileage."
MPV
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Club (2005/55-reg, 120k miles)
Price new: £15,195 Now: £995
"A decent seven-seater for less than a grand. The Vauxhall Zafira Mk2 is now hitting rock bottom on the used market. Make sure the seat mechanism works.
4x4
Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi Sport (2004/04 reg, 120k miles)
Price new: £19,995 Now: £995
"A genuine 4x4. Climate control, electric windows and mirrors and central locking. A great tow car."
Source: www.bing.com