The Audi A3 hatchback was voted the most popular second-hand family car, beating models by Fiat, Honda and VW.
It was the most recommended motor, based upon a survey of 2000 drivers who had children younger than 16 years old. This included taking into consideration their budgets and general needs.
Drivers are advised to be cautious as they may end up paying a lot more for their cars if they buy now. The values of top 10 models have risen by anywhere from 13 percent to 35 percent in the past 12 months.
The best used car to transport the children? Audi’s A3 Sportback has been named by experts as the best second-hand family motor for parents looking to spend no more than £15,500 on a motor
The recent spike in values, caused by increased demand on the back of short supply of new models, means the top-choice Audi A3 Sportback would have cost £11,500 on average one year ago.
But today – with an extra 10,000 miles on the clock – it is selling for an average of £14,750.
A panel of parents gave specific recommendations for used cars that they recommend to motorists who have children.
One third of respondents said that they would prefer a petrol engine. Hybrids were next (20%) and one in ten stated they would choose a diesel.
A hatchback or SUV were the body styles most in demand for parents, while the average budget was set at £15,500 and parents wanted cars no older than six years that have covered an average of 10,000 miles per year.
The three most important criteria were: practicality, fuel economy and low running costs.
The CarGurus study of family cars found that Audi was more popular than Fiat, BMW and Volkswagen.
A 2017 Audi A3 TFSI 1.0-litre was chosen because it met all of these requirements.
| Ranking | Car | Avg value Nov 2020 | Avg value Nov 2021 | Avg value increase (£) | Avg Value Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 TFSI (2012-2019) | £11,500 | £14,750 | £3,250 | 28.3% |
| 2 | Honda Civic VTEC Turbo 1.0 (2016-). | £12,250 | £15,450 | £3,200 | 26.1% |
| 3 | Honda HR-V 1.5 VTEC (2015-2019) | £11,200 | £13,900 | £2,700 | 24.1% |
| 4 | BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 218i (2014-) | £10,450 | £13,300 | £2,850 | 27.3% |
| 5 | Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI (2013-2021) | £10,550 | £13,150 | £2,600 | 24.6% |
| 6 | Fiat 500X 1.0 Turbo (2014-2019) | £8,675 | £11,250 | £2,575 | 29.7% |
| 7 | Toyota CHR 1.2 petrol 2016-2020 | £11,700 | £14,950 | £3,250 | 27.8% |
| 8 | Mercedes B-Class B180 Mercedes B-Class (2012-2019). | £12,450 | £15,700 | £3,250 | 26.1% |
| 9 | BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer 218i 7-seats (2015-2021) | £11,950 | £16,100 | £4,150 | 34.7% |
| 10 | Kia Carens 1.6 GDI 7-seat (2013-2019) | £10,200 | £11,550 | £1,350 | 13.2% |
| Source: CarGurus Top 10 Ranking. Cap hpi provides value data for each model, based on vehicles that have 3 years of age and 30,000 miles. | |||||
Car Gurus praised the smooth, efficient, 1.0-litre petrol TFSI engine and five-star Euro NCAP safety rating for making it their top pick. It also achieved a real world fuel economy of 50 mpg, which is a good fit.
The A3 model is in high demand and has seen a rise in its price over the past year.
Valuations experts at cap hpi said a three-year-old A3 has risen in value by 28.3 per cent in the last year, with second-hand prices increasing by £3,250.
And the year-on-year rise in values isn’t exclusive for the A3, with Auto Trader reporting a week ago that average used prices had risen for an 80th consecutive week and a second hand car is now 27 per cent more expensive than it was in November 2020.
The 1.0-litre Honda Civic petrol was second in the list, though average values for this car have risen by 26% in the last 12 months
A 1.5-litre petrol engine Honda HRV was the most highly recommended family motor. Average second-hand prices have grown by £2,700 in the last 12 months
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV was highly recommended by CarGurus, though cap hpi data warns average prices have risen from £10,450 a year ago to £13,300 today
Others cars that parents are interested in include the Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC turbo and the HR-V1.5 VTEC, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 218i and Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI. Fiat 500X 1.0 Turbo. Toyota C-HR 1.2. Mercedes B-Class B180.
For families that have three or more children, however, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer 218i, Kia Carens 1.6 GDI were identified as the best seven-seater models.
According to the study, two-thirds of parents see their car as an instrument to transport them to and from work rather than as an attachment.
Only 34% of parents said that their car was suitable for their child’s birth before they arrived.
The VW Golf, America’s most-bought hatchback family car, makes it no surprise to be in the top 10.
Although the inclusion of the Golf is not surprising, it was a surprise that the Fiat 500 X was recommended. Although it may not be the easiest to drive or be reliable, it can be affordable and offer practicality.
The demand for used Toyota C-HR SUVs from second-hand Toyota C-HR is high. This is why the petrol version of the Toyota C-HR has seen an average 28% increase in its value over the past 12 months.
An average of 16% bought a car in preparation to give birth and just over one fifth purchased a vehicle shortly afterwards.
The results also showed that two-thirds of people find fitting a car seat difficult. Furthermore, parents who are constantly on the go claim that their kids distract them in cars.
More than three quarters of the parents who were surveyed stated that they don’t currently have a car which can be used as a family vehicle.
Chris Knapman is editor of CarGurus. He said, “Using this research we have created an buying guide that places parents’ needs as the priority.
‘When analysing the survey results, our team of expert reviewers – who are parents, too – sought to balance the need for practicality, safety and low running costs with the preferences expressed for certain brands.
“The previous generation Audi A3 Sportback is the best choice for families. It’s an all-around car that can do everything well.
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is recommended as an ideal second-hand family motor, with the average used price for a three-year-old B180 petrol being just over budget at £15,700
CarGurus recommends the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer 218i for 7 seat families. In the last 12 months, average used values increased more than three-quarters.
This Kia Carens MPV is the final vehicle to be included in CarGurus’ Top 10 Used Family Cars
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