Most popular used cars in Manchester

What cars are people in Manchester really buying? Seven of them are hatchbacks, and four are premium-brand models. Surprisingly, there’s only one SUV. According to our data, the most popular used cars in Manchester are:

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

Let’s see why these models are popular with customers who use Carmoola for their car finance in Manchester.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is a legend, with more than 30 million sold globally since the first version was introduced more than fifty years ago. Little wonder that it’s a hit with Carmoola customers in Manchester. And Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool…

The fact is, there’s a Golf for everyone, whether you live in Ancoats or Altrincham. Every version is comfortable, good to drive and has a classy interior. In all, it feels a cut above most rivals, yet doesn’t cost a lot more to buy. There’s an estate model if you need maximum load space, as well as the plug-in hybrid GTE and sporty GTI versions. 

Ford Fiesta

Production of the Ford Fiesta ended in 2023, but it was the best-selling new car in the UK for so long that there are hundreds for sale at Manchester dealerships. 

As well as being a top choice in Manchester, the Fiesta is popular with Carmoola customers in Birmingham and Leeds, and it's easy to see why. It’s great fun to drive, with sharp steering a nimble yet reassuring feel on the road. The Fiesta is excellent value, too, and because there are so many out there, you have a wealth of cars to choose from. The petrol models are very fuel-efficient, and as well as the Fiesta ST hot hatch, there’s the Fiesta Active, which has an SUV-style makeover and raised suspension. 

Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Corsa is a top choice for Carmoola customers in Manchester, and also among drivers in Nottingham and Leeds. Most places, really, then, which is hardly surprising since it’s consistently one of the top ten best-selling new cars in the UK. 

The Corsa’s a smart-looking car with decent interior space, but its cost-effectiveness is what sets it apart from most other small cars. It’s keenly priced when new, and the Carmoola Depreciation Index shows that it’s cheaper than many rivals as a used car. Buy through HP car finance, and your monthly payments could be very manageable. If you’re looking to go electric, there’s good news because there’s little or no premium for choosing the battery-powered version.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Affordable luxury sums up the Mercedes-Benz A-Class nicely. So even if you can’t stretch to the huge Mercedes-Benz SUVs that Manchester City and Manchester United footballers are regularly spotted in, you may still be able to afford a car with the same three-pointed star on the grille.

The A-Class lives up to that famous logo, with an interior that has serious wow factor thanks to its luxury materials and huge infotainment display. Once you’re behind the wheel, the A-Class could easily pass for one of Mercedes’ larger and more expensive models. Overall, this is a lot of car for the money, especially if you find the right car refinance or used car financing for you.

BMW 3 Series 

What do the Arndale Centre and the BMW 3 Series have in common? Not much, you might think, but both have been around since 1975 and have been ever-popular since. 

Each offers something to suit all kinds of people, too. In the BMW’s case, it manages to be simultaneously sporty, luxurious, stylish and practical. There are fuel-efficient petrol models, some seriously powerful high-end models and a spacious estate. There’s also a plug-in hybrid, and the option of four-wheel drive. All versions are well-equipped and have a high-end interior, yet the 3 Series can be remarkably cost-effective, and there are some very competitive PCP car finance deals around. 

Ford Focus

Manchester has changed a lot since the original Ford Focus went on sale in 1998, with major regeneration and a huge increase in population. 

The Focus has changed, too, but the things that make it so popular have remained constant. From the start, it’s had competitive pricing, low running costs and a fuss-free interior on its side. There have always been a huge variety of models to choose from, too. And the way the Focus drives has remained central to its appeal. It’s as comfortable as a family car should be, yet on your favourite road (and we’re guessing that’s not the M60…) the Focus comes alive thanks to its responsive steering and sharp handling. 

Nissan Qashqai

There’s a reason why the streets of Chorlton, Didsbury and Sale are dotted with Nissan Qashqais. These areas are especially popular with families, and what is one of the nation’s favourite family cars? Yep, the Nissan Qashqai. 

Good practicality is one of the main reasons the Qashqai makes a great family car, and its wide-opening rear doors are especially helpful when you’re trying to load kids or child seats in or out. There’s some useful tech, too. Most versions have a reversing camera, and many also have a 360-degree camera that shows a bird's-eye view of the car and its surroundings on the central display screen. Perfect for those tricky car park manoeuvres!

BMW 1 Series

Manchester is a city known for its love of sport, and the BMW 1 Series is a hatchback with a sportier-than-average look and feel. 

The 1 Series has a rivalry with other premium hatches such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, that’s on a ‘United vs City’ scale. The 1 Series wins points by offering a sharper drive than either, as well as an especially stylish and inviting interior. It might not offer the plug-in hybrid options that the Audi or Mercedes does, but most versions of the BMW give impressive mpg, and it scores highly for reliability. 

Audi A3

Manchester is packed with upmarket shopping destinations, and after a splurge on King Street or Exchange Square, where better to stash your swag than the accommodating boot of the classy Audi A3? 

It’s in the cabin where the A3 really feels like a premium product. As well as being packed with the latest tech, it has a sleek, sharp-edged design and a real feeling of quality. The wide model range runs from cost-effective options at one end to fast, sporty ones at the other, and some have four-wheel drive. And if improving Manchester's air quality is important to you, there’s a plug-in hybrid model that you can drive using pure-electric power for up to 88 miles.

Find your next car in Manchester with Carmoola

From city-savvy hatchbacks to premium models with serious badge appeal, Manchester drivers know how to mix style, value and performance. Whether you’re cruising Deansgate or navigating the ring road, there’s a used car on this list that’ll fit right in.

Thinking about upgrading? You can learn more about car finance with Carmoola.