Reading time: 5 minutes
Last updated: September 2026
Written by: The Motodan Team
Category: Buying Advice
Buying a used car is a big decision, and with so many makes, models and body styles available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
It can be tempting to choose a car because you like the way it looks, because it has low mileage, or because you've found a great deal.
But the best car for you isn't necessarily the newest, cheapest or lowest-mileage car.
It's the car that fits your life.
Before you start looking, it is worth thinking about how you actually use your car, what you need from it and what you can comfortably afford to run.
Here's our guide to help you work it out.
1. Think about how you actually use your car.
This sounds obvious, but it's one of the easiest things to overlook.
Think about your typical week rather than the occasional journey.
Do you mainly:
- Drive to work?
- Do the school run?
- Make lots of short journeys?
- Spend hours on the motorway?
- Drive around town?
- Travel long distances regularly?
- Carry passengers most days?
- Take the dog out with you?
- Need space for shopping, luggage or equipment?
A car that works brilliantly for someone else might not work particularly well for you.
If most of your driving is around town, you may appreciate something compact and easy to park.
If you're regularly travelling long distances, comfort, motorway performance and luggage space might matter more.
Start with your lifestyle and work backwards from there.
2. How many people do you normally carry?
If it's usually just you in the car, you may not need a large family SUV.
But if you're regularly carrying children, family members or several passengers, space becomes much more important.
Think about:
- How many seats you actually need.
- How much legroom passengers require.
- Whether you need easy access to the rear seats.
- Whether you use child seats.
- How much boot space you need alongside your passengers.
It's worth considering your real-life needs, not just what might be useful once or twice a year.
There's little point paying for a huge car all year if you rarely need the extra space.
Equally, buying something too small because it saves money initially can become frustrating very quickly.
3. What sort of journeys do you make?
Your usual journey type can make a big difference to which car suits you.
Mostly short journeys?
If you're mainly doing short trips around town, a smaller petrol car or a suitable hybrid may be worth considering.
Lots of motorway miles?
If you're regularly covering longer distances, you may want to prioritise comfort, fuel economy, driving position, boot space and how relaxed the car feels at motorway speeds.
A mixture of everything?
A versatile hatchback, crossover or family car might give you the flexibility you need.
There isn't a simple rule that says one fuel type or body style is right for everyone. Your actual driving habits matter.
4. Where do you park and drive?
This is another one that's easy to forget when you're looking at shiny photos online!
A large SUV might look fantastic, but if you regularly squeeze into tight parking spaces or drive through narrow residential streets, something smaller might make life considerably easier.
Think about where you normally drive and park.
For example:
- Is your driveway narrow?
- Do you regularly use multi-storey car parks?
- Do you park on busy streets?
- Do you drive around town frequently?
- Do you have access to off-street parking?
- If you're considering an electric car, do you have somewhere suitable to charge it?
The best car isn't much use if it doesn't fit where you need to use it.
5. Do you need space for children, dogs or luggage?
Boot space is one of those things that can look perfectly adequate until you actually try to use it.
If you have children, a dog, a pushchair, sports equipment or regularly travel with luggage, think about what you need to carry.
Don't just look at the number of litres quoted in the specifications.
Open the boot.
If possible, take along the things you normally carry and see how they fit.
If you're buying a family car, check that child seats, pushchairs and everyday essentials can all be accommodated comfortably.
And if you have a dog, make sure your four-legged passenger has enough room too!
6. Look beyond the purchase price.
It's easy to focus on the price of the car and forget about the costs that come afterwards.
Before buying, think about the overall cost of ownership, including:
- Insurance
- Road tax
- Fuel or charging costs
- Servicing and maintenance
- Tyres
- MOT costs
- Finance payments, if applicable
Two cars with similar purchase prices can have very different running costs.
A slightly more expensive car that suits your needs and is economical to run may make more sense for you than a cheaper car that costs considerably more to keep on the road.
It's worth looking at the whole picture, not just the price on the windscreen.
7. Manual or Automatic?
If you've always driven a manual, you might naturally look for another one.
If you've become accustomed to an automatic, you may not want to go back!
Neither is automatically the right choice.
An automatic can be particularly convenient for people who spend a lot of time in traffic or around town, while some drivers simply prefer the control and familiarity of a manual gearbox.
Think about what you enjoy driving and what suits your everyday journeys.
And if you're considering changing from one to the other, take the car for a proper test drive before making your decision.
8. Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid or Electric?
This is a big question for many buyers, but there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.
The right choice depends on how you drive, where you drive and what works for your circumstances.
For example, you might want to consider:
Petrol – often a straightforward choice for a mixture of journeys and many shorter trips.
Diesel – can make sense for drivers covering higher mileages and longer journeys, although your individual driving pattern should always be considered.
Hybrid – combines different forms of propulsion and can be particularly appealing for certain types of driving.
Electric – can work very well for drivers whose journey patterns and charging arrangements suit an EV.
Don't choose a fuel type simply because someone tells you it's the "best".
Choose based on your own driving.
We'll be looking at petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars in more detail in a future Motodan Knowledge Hub article.
9. Set a realistic budget.
Before you start falling in love with a particular car, work out what you can comfortably afford.
If you're buying outright, remember that you still need to allow for running costs.
If you're using finance, don't look only at the monthly payment. Consider the overall amount payable and make sure the agreement fits comfortably within your budget.
It can also be worth keeping a little money aside for those unexpected costs that come with owning any car.
A car should make your life easier - not leave you worrying about whether you can afford to run it.
10. Think about how long you plan to keep it.
Are you looking for something to last you several years, or are you likely to change your car again fairly soon?
Your answer might affect what you prioritise.
If you're planning to keep the car for a long time, you may want to think particularly carefully about:
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Running costs
- Practicality
- Service history
- Your future needs
Your circumstances can change too.
A car that is perfect for you today might not be quite so perfect if you're expecting a growing family, changing jobs or starting to travel much further for work.
Try to think a little beyond the next few months.
11. Don't buy a car just because you like the look of it!
We get it.
Sometimes you see a car and think "Yep. I want that one."
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with liking the way a car looks!
But try not to let that be the only reason you buy it.
Before committing, ask yourself: Does it actually suit my lifestyle?
You might love the look of a large SUV but rarely need the space.
You might love a sporty car but spend most of your time sitting in traffic.
You might find a fantastic low-mileage car that simply isn't practical for your everyday needs.
A car can look great on the forecourt and still not be the right car for you.
Before you buy – a quick checklist
Before choosing your next used car, ask yourself:
☐ How many people do I normally carry?
☐ What type of journeys do I usually make?
☐ Do I need a large boot?
☐ Will the car fit where I normally park?
☐ Do I prefer a manual or automatic?
☐ Does the fuel type suit my driving?
☐ Have I considered insurance and running costs?
☐ Can I comfortably afford the car?
☐ Am I likely to need more space in the future?
☐ Have I actually driven the car before making my decision?
If you can answer all of these honestly, you'll have a much clearer idea of what you're looking for.
Motodan's honest tip
Don't start with a car. Start with your lifestyle.
It's very easy to browse cars based on what catches your eye but working out what you actually need first can save you a lot of time - and potentially help you avoid buying a car that isn't quite right for you.
And don't be afraid to tell a dealer what you need from a car. A good dealer should be happy to listen and help you find something suitable, rather than simply trying to sell you whatever is in front of you.
Motodan fact
There isn't one "best" type of used car.
The right choice depends on your circumstances, including how you drive, how many people you carry, where you park, your budget and what you need the car to do.
That's why two people with completely different lifestyles can quite reasonably choose completely different cars.
Motodan's final word
Buying your next car doesn't have to mean finding the biggest, newest or most impressive car you can afford.
It's about finding something that works for you.
Take some time to think about your everyday driving, your passengers, your budget and what you actually need from your car. Then take your time finding a vehicle that ticks those boxes.
At Motodan, we believe buying a car should be about finding the right vehicle for your circumstances - not simply being sold the first car you like the look of.
Whether you choose your next car from Motodan or somewhere else, we hope this guide helps you make an informed decision and find a car that fits your life.
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