UNFASHIONABLE BUT APPEALING

If you’re searching for a used car, an unloved model can prove a bargain

Used car prices have crept up in recent months as some people shy away from public transport due to the pandemic. Reports of a 20 to 50 per cent increase in retail prices are wide of the mark, but Ross Booth, the general manager of valuations giant Red Book, says a lack of supply of near-new used cars has resulted in higher prices for some models.

“From what we see, some prices are up but they’re not up significantly,” he says.

There are still bargains to be had, especially if you aim for the unloved sections of the used car market.

These unfashionable “ugly ducklings” can often represent solid buying, Booth says. So too can models that have been killed off due to lack of interest. “A discontinued nameplate can be a fantastic way to pick up a bargain … because there’s a perception around service levels, so they become less desirable.”

Here are some used cars worth considering.

FORD MONDEO 2012-2014 (ABOUT $12,000)

In the shadow of the (fractionally) larger Falcon, the Mondeo was never a big hit but its excellent interior space and relatively efficient fourcylinder engines make clean examples a bargain.

SUZUKI S-CROSS

2014-2015 ($13-15,000)

Suzuki’s reputation for longevity means even 100,000km-plus cars treated well should have loads of life left in them. S-Cross is unsexy and lumpy but gets the job done in a small SUV body.

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2012/2013 ($13,000 TO $16,000)

Give up the “Golf” and “GTI” badges, replace them with “Jetta” and you’re in for a sporty bargain with a big boot. The Jetta 147TSI (and, later, 155TSI) got 2.0-litre turbo Golf GTI running gear but weren’t nearly as popular.

NISSAN ALTIMA

2014-2016 (ABOUT $15,000)