Cover every base for £6000 - used car buying guide

Why buy one car when you can get six for the same price? Whether your taste lies in SUVs, MPVs or luxury saloons, our Swiss Army garage can cater for every taste.

1 - Ford Fiesta Zetec S (1999-2002)

There are countless superminis out there for considerably less than £1000, but we’ve picked one with a little poke. Fitted with a 1.6-litre engine, it may only have 101bhp, but it’s enough for a 0-60mph time of less than 10 seconds. Although outright speed is not this car’s 
forte, uprated suspension makes 
it a blast through corners, while 
the looks benefit from alloy wheels and a racy bodykit.

Being a Fiesta of this vintage, rust can always be a worry. Corrosion at the rear arches will be easy to spot, but you’ll need to check sills, floorplans and battery trays. Listen out for bottom-end knocks in the engine, too. Prices for a roadworthy example start at around £600.

2 - Jeep Cherokee (1993-2001)

With winter just around the corner, you need some 4x4 capability in your line-up. The original Cherokee is one of the toughest and arguably best-value off-roaders out there. Despite what you might think, it offers surprisingly good reliability when looked after; Cherokees can top 200,000 miles with ease.

The 4.0-litre straight six is the best engine to go for, offering both longevity and a surprising turn of speed. It’s thirsty, but many have been converted to LPG. Diesels are painfully slow. Keep an eye out for rust, while exhaust manifolds and rear leaf springs can crack. Prices start at just under £1000.

3 - Toyota Celica (1999-2006)

Every multi-car garage needs a sporty little number, and the Celica fits the bill nicely. Most have a reasonable 140bhp, but speed demons will be more interested in the 190 and T-Sport models. Their high-revving 189bhp 1.8-litre engine needs working hard, but they’re capable of 0-60mph in 7.4sec. Handling is fun, while equipment levels are high. 

Although the Celica has rear seats, they are only really suitable for children. At least the large liftback reveals a decent boot for a coupé. Celicas can suffer from suspension issues, so keep an ear out for clonks and rattles on the test drive. Expect to pay as little as £700.

4 - Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1991-2005)

If there’s one car that has always been at the cutting edge, it’s the S-Class. Clever as it may be, however, it isn’t immune from depreciation. It’s for this reason that you can pick up a 1990s or early 2000s example so cheaply.

You won’t get a minter for this money, nor something with low miles. Instead, focus on condition and what service history the car might have. While you will be able to find plenty of cars in budget, bear in mind that repairs can be costly.