Most Popular Used Cars in Nottingham

What cars do people in Nottingham actually buy? We’ve taken a look at our data to see which cars have been bought by Carmoola customers in Nottingham and put together a list of the nine most popular models.

Three of them are BMWs, while Ford and Vauxhall each have two cars on the list. And, surprisingly, there’s not an SUV in sight! 

According to our data, these are the most popular used cars in Nottingham:

• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Focus
• BMW 1 Series
• Volkswagen Golf
• Vauxhall Corsa
• BMW 3 Series
• BMW 4 Series
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class
• Vauxhall Astra

Ford Fiesta

Ford stopped making the Fiesta in 2023 but it was the best-selling car in the UK for a long time and you’ll find plenty of used examples at Nottingham dealerships. Also a top choice in Birmingham and Manchester, the Fiesta is a great fit for city drivers because it’s compact and easy to park. It’s equally at home on faster roads, however, where it inspires real confidence thanks to its responsive steering and sharp handling. Perfect for weekend jaunts to the Peak District, or further afield. 

A wide range of Fiesta models are available, and all give low running costs. Trim levels include the Fiesta Active, which has a rugged makeover and raised suspension that makes even a trip to the retail park feel like a bit of an adventure. 

Ford Focus 

For more than 25 years the Ford Focus has remained close to the top of the UK new car sales charts, so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular choice for buyers using Carmoola car finance in Nottingham. 

It’s a bit of a cliche but the Focus is something of a ‘Goldilocks’ car. Not too big, or too small. Well-equipped yet affordable, comfortable yet enjoyably sporty to drive. There’s a version to suit everyone too, including fuel-efficient mild-hybrid models, a spacious estate and the rugged Focus Active. From Bakersfield to Beeston, the Ford Focus is a familiar sight and its popularity is well deserved. 

BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series comes from Munich, a city famous for a football team that wears red and which won back-to-back European Cups in the late 1970s. Ring any bells? Okay, that’s probably where the similarities between Munich and Nottingham end but the German hatchback is a big hit with Carmoola customers in Nottingham. As it is in Liverpool, another city with a European Cup-winning football club. 

Why does the 1 Series score so highly? Well, despite being BMW’s entry-level model, the 1 Series has the driving appeal and quality you expect of the brand. Add to that the fact that it’s surprisingly affordable to buy, and that many versions have low running costs thanks to their fuel-efficient engines, and you can see why the 1 Series is such a winner. 

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf, like Nottingham, is constantly evolving to meet people’s needs. Even so, there’s something reassuringly familiar about the Golf because each new version looks and feels like, well, a Golf. 

Like its predecessors, the latest Golf is comfortable and subtly stylish, with a more premium vibe than many rivals. You can go for hatchback or estate models, and as well as petrol versions and the Golf GTI and Golf R hot hatchbacks, there’s the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE. With such a universal appeal it’s no surprise that the Golf is also a top choice for Carmoola customers in Bristol and Leeds.

Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the best-selling small cars in the UK and it’s a big hit with Carmoola customers across the country. Much of the Corsa’s appeal lies in its exceptional value. It’s well-priced when new but an even better deal as a used buy because our Carmoola Depreciation Index shows that secondhand prices are below-average. Some versions have very low insurance group ratings, too, and that can be a real bonus for city drivers looking for affordable premiums. 

You can choose from petrol or hybrid models, and both are very fuel-efficient. And if you’re really concerned about improving Nottingham’s air quality there's a pure-electric version that costs about the same as petrol models as a used buy. 

BMW 3 Series

Everything about the BMW 3 Series screams ‘quality’, which is what makes it such a favourite with Carmoola customers in Nottingham and beyond. And while the way it looks, drives and feels suggests it’s an expensive option, the 3 Series might be more affordable than you think. Used prices can be very reasonable and sensible monthly payments are possible if you find the right PCP car finance deal. 

Whether you go for the saloon or ‘Touring’ estate model, the 3 Series feels satisfying to drive. So whether you’re popping to the Victoria Centre for some shopping or hitting the M1 for a longer trip, it’s a car that you’ll always look forward to getting into. Some seriously fast and luxurious versions are available but even the entry-level models are quick and well-equipped. 

BMW 4 Series

Yep, Nottingham drivers love their BMWs. The third model from the German brand on this list is the sleekest of the bunch available as a two-door coupe or convertible, or as a low-slung five-door hatchback called 4 Series Gran Coupe. Each one looks the business and the latest version’s huge front grille means no-one’s going to miss you pulling up outside your favourite restaurant or store.

The 4 Series has the substance to match its style, giving a seriously smooth and sporty drive. Its interior is beautifully built, and the wealth of features available make it a tech lover’s dream. While it’s hardly cheap, running costs for the 4 Series can be surprisingly reasonable if you choose one of the more fuel-efficient models.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class combines the compact dimensions and affordable running costs of a hatchback with the prestige of a Mercedes-Benz. ‘Attainable luxury’ is a great way to describe it. Some versions won’t cost you much more to buy than similar-sized hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, especially if you find the right car finance or car refinance package. 

The A-Class is as quiet and comfortable as you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz, while the interior is a show-stopper thanks to its glitzy lighting and huge digital display. It's easy to see why this ‘baby Benz’ is also a popular choice for Carmoola users in Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

Vauxhall Astra

Value is the Astra’s USP, with a price that undercuts most similar cars. Something that makes it a favourite with the canny shoppers of both Nottingham and Liverpool. It’s especially cost-effective as a used car, and if you buy it through HP car finance your monthly payments can be very budget-friendly. Petrol, hybrid and pure-electric models give you plenty of options to choose from. 

The latest Astra’s sharp-edged exterior design is mirrored by a similarly edgy look inside, yet everything’s easy to use. You get good practicality with the hatchback, but if you need more space there’s the Sports Tourer estate version. As well as a larger boot, it has a longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) for extra legroom in the back.