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Compare the best used automatic cars

High-quality used automatic cars from rated and reviewed dealers

Rated 4.6/5 from 49,181 reviews

Best used automatic cars of 2024

Automatic cars have become hugely popular thanks to modern gearboxes offering fast, slick gear changes that allow the driver to relax and focus on the road ahead. If you’re looking for a second-hand automatic car, here are 10 of the best. From family SUVs to sports cars, and practical estates to small city cars, there’s something for everyone.

Audi A6 Avant

1. Audi A6 Avant

9/10
Audi A6 Avant review
Skoda Kodiaq

2. Skoda Kodiaq

9/10
Skoda Kodiaq review
Porsche 718 Cayman

3. Porsche 718 Cayman

9/10
Porsche 718 Cayman review
Audi Q7 (2015-2019)

4. Audi Q7

9/10
Audi Q7 (2015-2019) review
Ford Fiesta

5. Ford Fiesta

7/10
Ford Fiesta review
Mercedes S-Class Saloon (2017-2019)

6. Mercedes S-Class

8/10
Mercedes S-Class Saloon (2017-2019) review
Battery range up to 31 miles
Volkswagen Golf (2013-2019)

7. Volkswagen Golf

8/10
Volkswagen Golf (2013-2019) review
BMW 1 Series (2015-2019)

8. BMW 1 Series

8/10
BMW 1 Series (2015-2019) review
Nissan Leaf

9. Nissan Leaf

8/10
Nissan Leaf review
Battery range up to 239 miles
MINI Countryman (2016-2023)

10. MINI Countryman

7/10
MINI Countryman (2016-2023) review
Battery range up to 28 miles

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More advice about used automatic cars

Used automatic cars FAQs

The Ford Fiesta is one of the best second-hand small cars with an automatic gearbox. It’s a great all-rounder, with decent practicality for its size and a fun driving experience.

Other small cars worthy of consideration include the Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz and Kia Picanto.

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest used automatic car, there are plenty of old, high-mileage examples to be found for less than £1,000, including the Honda Civic and Ford Focus for family duties, the Mercedes SLK for those who want something sporty, or a Land Rover Freelander if you need a 4x4.

Looking for something newer? The cheapest used autos that are less than five years old include the excellent Skoda Octavia, Hyundai i10 city car, and practical Ford B-Max.

Some of the most reliable car manufacturers include Lexus, Toyota, Honda and Mazda, so it’s worth gravitating towards them if reliability is key. It’s impossible to guarantee a car won’t go wrong, so when buying any used car it’s a good idea to give it a once over and try to find examples with a comprehensive service history for extra peace of mind.

Aside from the usual used car checks, when test driving a second-hand automatic car you should take note of the gear shifts. They should be quiet and fairly quick, with no hesitation or juddering between shifts. If the car feels like it’s struggling to find the next gear, or is anything other than smooth when pulling away from a standstill, it could be a sign of an issue.

Also listen out for the sound of the engine getting louder, as if you are revving the car, between shifts. If this happens and the car isn’t accelerating, it’s a sign the gearbox has problems.

There aren’t any specific cars that should be avoided, but some drivers might find the gear changes in older automatic transmissions are frustratingly slow. And while modern systems are quick to shift – and in some cases seem to have an almost telepathic understanding of what you want them to do – older autos can feel rather dim-witted as they’re slow to respond to inputs. If you’re considering swapping into an older model, take a test drive to see if this is a problem or something that doesn’t bother you.