Most Popular Used Cars in Leeds

What are the used cars that Leeds drivers love? We’ve taken a deep dive into the data to reveal the nine most popular models bought using Carmoola car finance in Leeds. 

You might be surprised to learn there are no SUVs on the list. Most are hatchbacks or estates and almost half are premium-brand models.  

Here, according to our data, are the most popular used cars in Leeds:

• Audi A3 
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class
• BMW 1 Series
• Volkswagen Golf
• BMW 3 Series
• Seat Leon
• Ford Fiesta
• Vauxhall Corsa
• Ford Focus

Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a classy compact car that’s a hit in big cities. Because as well as being a top pick in Leeds it’s popular with Carmoola customers in Birmingham and Manchester. Sophisticated design is a big part of the A3's appeal and it looks right at home among the boutiques of the Victoria Quarter. 

It’s just as smart inside, with top-notch materials, a large infotainment screen and high-tech digital driver display. Most A3s are hatchbacks although there’s also a stylish saloon version; both are practical but small enough that you can slot them in or out of a tight parking space easily. The model range offers plenty of choice, with fuel-efficient petrol models at one end and fast, four-wheel drive versions at the other. There’s something to suit most needs in between, including a plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of up to 88 miles.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class 

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a top choice for Carmoola customers in every city we looked at, so what makes this premium-brand hatchback such a popular choice? The allure of that three-pointed star on the front grille probably plays a part, along with city-friendly dimensions and lower ownership costs than you might expect, especially if you find the right PCP car finance deal. 

But we’re sure that what seals the deal for many prospective buyers is the moment they get a good look at the A-Class’s gorgeous interior. With its sleek design, widescreen digital display and up-to-the-minute tech it has serious showroom appeal. The A-Class does sensible, with entry-level models that give great mpg. It does sporty, too, with AMG versions that make most other hot hatches look slow. And it does sustainable, with a plug-in hybrid version that has an electric-only range of more than 50 miles.

BMW 1 Series

What’s this, another posh hatchback? Yep, the BMW 1 Series is proof that Leeds car buyers can’t get enough of ‘em! Also a top pick for Carmoola customers in Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Liverpool, the 1 Series has the sporty edge that BMWs are famous for, with sharp handling and responsive steering. That makes the urban grind a bit less boring, while a weekend blast to the Yorkshire Dales can be a lot of fun.

While it might be BMW’s smallest and most affordable model, the 1 Series also has the kind of interior quality and tech you expect of the brand. With such a real premium feel inside, even a short hop from Holbeck to Headingley can be something to look forward to. 

Volkswagen Golf

While it might not have the same prestige as the Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz models we’ve looked at so far, the Volkswagen Golf is another classy hatchback model that’s a top choice for Carmoola customers in Leeds. 

Given that it’s been a big seller across the UK for decades, it’s no surprise that the Golf scores highly. It’s evolved over the years but even though the latest model is packed with advanced features it still looks and feels like a Golf. Subtly stylish, comfortable to travel in and reassuring to drive, it’s a very likeable car. Cricket, rugby and football are the big-name sports in Leeds, but golf? Well, in car form at least, Golf is a real crowd-pleaser too.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series has been the definitive executive saloon (and estate) since the first version was introduced back in 1975. Like Leeds, the 3 Series has changed a lot since then but it retains a character all of its own. It’s the BMW’s unique blend of sportiness and luxury that sets it apart from the crowd, and it’s a formula that has helped to make it a top choice for Carmoola customers in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham too. 

Most of all, the 3 Series just oozes quality. You can feel it in the way it looks, the way it drives, the way it’s built and the tech it comes with. All this comes at a price, right? Well, high-end versions are pricey but the lower-end models can be surprisingly affordable and they’re still quick and well-equipped. There’s the Touring estate if you want maximum space, or a plug-in hybrid model if you want minimum environmental impact.

Seat Leon

Leeds is one of only two cities (Bristol being the other) where the Seat Leon is a top-nine choice. So is the rest of the country missing out on a hidden gem? We’d say so because this hatchback and estate model from Spain is certainly a match for big sellers such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. It’s brilliant value for starters, with monthly HP car finance or PCP car finance repayments that can make it a very affordable option. 

There's some Spanish flair about the way the Leon looks and drives, too. Enough, perhaps, to brighten up the greyest Yorkshire winter’s day. Inside, the Leon has a smart, high-tech look and offers enough rear-seat space to make it a practical family car. The estate version is a great load-lugger while the plug-in hybrid model has a pure-electric range of about 40 miles.

Ford Fiesta

Ford stopped making the Fiesta in 2023 but it was the UK’s best-selling car for years and you’ll still find plenty at Leeds dealerships. It remains a popular choice with Carmoola customers in the city, too, although it’s even more popular in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham, where it’s a top-five pick. 

The Fiesta's enduring appeal lies in how it drives. It's nimble and fun, as a small car should be, yet it’s amazingly comfortable and assured at higher speeds. So whether you’re bumper-to-bumper in the city centre or heading west on the M62 it’s sure to put a smile on your face. The Fiesta’s low running costs are another major draw, and it's available with big-car features such as voice control and a heated steering wheel. In all it feels like a lot of car for the money, particularly if you find the right car finance or car refinance deal. 

Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Corsa is a big seller everywhere, making the top nine for Carmoola customers in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds. The secret to its success? Outstanding value. It's well-priced to start with, but even more cost-effective as a used buy. Our Carmoola Depreciation Index shows that used Corsas go for below-average prices, which means more car for your money. Some versions have a very low insurance group rating too, and that can really help when you’re trying to get an affordable premium in a big city like Leeds. 

Fuel-efficient petrol and hybrid models help to keep costs down and there’s also a pure-electric version that could be even cheaper to run if you have a home charger and the right energy tariff. There’s a stereotype that people from Yorkshire are, let’s say, ‘careful’ with their money. Whether that’s true or not, the Corsa is a great choice if you want your money to go as far as possible. 

Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is loved by everyone, it seems. It was one of the UK’s best-selling new cars for more than twenty years and it’s a top choice for Carmoola customers in every single city we looked at. 

What's kept the Focus at the top of the game for so long? Much of it comes down to how it drives. For a humble family hatchback (and estate) it’s abnormally good to drive, with a precise, responsive feel that can bring a bit of joy to the most mundane journey. Hitting the A650 at rush hour or facing another gridlocked school run? It’s all a bit more bearable in a Focus. You also get good practicality and sound value for money, as well as the availability of useful features such as a heated windscreen (brilliant on frosty Yorkshire mornings) and adaptive cruise control.