Buying a used car means someone else has taken the hit of the car's initial depreciation - that's the money a car loses as soon as it’s driven off the forecourt. And that starts the moment the car turns a wheel, so looking for a deal on a nearly-new model instead of a brand-new car can save thousands.
A nearly new car is generally one that is less than a year old, and has covered less than 1000 miles. The bulk of the car's manufacturer warranty will still be valid, too, so you’ll enjoy many of the benefits of a new car, just with a much more affordable price tag.
Just as with a brand-new car, you can get finance on a nearly new car, too, with PCP an extremely popular option. This is where you pay a deposit, then finance part of the car’s value which you pay in monthly instalments, then have the option to pay a balloon payment at the end in order to own the car outright. If you don't want to keep the car, you can either return it, or swap it for a new PCP deal on a different car.
heycar listings show both the cash price and a bespoke calculation for those who want to pay in affordable monthly instalments. By buying from heycar, you also have the reassurance that every car has been quality-checked, comes with a warranty, a 10-day money-back guarantee, and dedicated customer service.
This means that even though you’re getting the benefit of the savings of buying a nearly new car, you’re still getting a lot of the reassurance that new car buyers enjoy.
And if you spot a slightly older car available on heycar, peace of mind is assured there too, as we only sell cars which are under eight years old and have fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock, so you can buy any of the models that appear on this site with total confidence.
If you're committed to going electric but don't have the biggest budget, the Dacia Spring is the cheapest 'proper' EV on sale in the UK. Even if money is tight, we'd recommend giving the entry level Expression a swerve and opting for the more powerful, better equipped Extreme model. That's what we've chosen here, as it means you get the convenience of parking sensors, a rear parking camera and larger touchscreen, plus a great nearly-new car discount.
The Skoda Fabia is one of the finest small cars money can buy. It's comfortable to drive, cheap to run and features a spacious interior that can cope with four adults with ease. This Colour Edition trim car comes with plenty of equipment, plus a two-tone exterior to add a little extra visual appeal. A saving of over £4000 is another big tick in its favour.
The Peugeot 308 is an interesting option if you fancy a traditional family hatchback, but don't want to scrimp on style. There are compromises, like the lack of rear-seat space and unusual driving position, but if it's a fit, the 308 is worth a look. This one is a very late 2022 car, so the clock has been ticking on the warranty, but otherwise it's a great deal of car for the cash.
The Volkswagen Taigo is a surprising car. Essentially a coupe-inspired, style-led version of the VW T-Cross small SUV, you might think that choosing a Taigo would mean you miss out on practicality. However, the Taigo has a large boot and decent interior space and it's very well equipped, too, even in the entry-level Life trim we've selected. A DSG gearbox only adds to the convenience, while the near-£5000 discount only boosts the appeal.
The Nissan Qashqai is one of the UK's best-selling cars thanks to the fact that it's an excellent family SUV. A recent facelift, as sported by the car we've chosen, gives the Qashqai a little more visual flair, while there's some refreshed tech that's been added under the skin. This N-Connecta model includes 18-inch alloys, a Google-based infotainment system, an Around View Monitor parking assist system and wireless smartphone charging.
The Kia Sportage is currently the best-selling car in the UK, with families across the land seduced by the big Kia's well-equipped interior, its ample space and its way of simply getting on with all a growing family can possibly throw at it. This GT-Line trim model is packed with all the equipment a far-flung road trip might require, plus a decent discount over the new price.
The Audi Q3 is one of the best premium family SUVs, and the car we've found is in entry level Sport trim but with the optional S Tronic gearbox, rather than the standard six-speed manual. That means that you benefit from Audi's typically stylish and tech-packed interior, including digital instruments and MMI Navigation Plus, and a smooth-shifting auto gearbox, too.
When it comes to choosing a nearly new car, the world is your oyster! If you have a budget that would buy a new but basic small car, choosing a nearly new car opens up far more options, from rugged SUVs, to seven-seater cars, to practical estate cars and sun-seeking convertibles. Nearly new hatchback cars are always popular choices, too. Just don't forget that opting for nearly new often means being able to afford a more expensive car, but running costs are also likely to climb, too. Make sure you factor in things like the cost of servicing, insurance and tax, too.
You can buy a nearly new electric car and, just like any other nearly new car, it is a great way to save money. New electric cars are still expensive, but nearly new models are considerably more affordable and still come with the majority of their battery warranty intact. What's more, with so many carmakers looking to encourage buyers to switch to EVs, there are often plenty of nearly new ex-demonstrator models to snap up. Here at heycar, we have more than 4000 used electric cars available to choose from.
When you’re buying a nearly new car, it’s still important to check the condition carefully. The car should be in very good condition, but won’t quite be factory fresh so you’ll have to factor this in. It’s why buying only the best nearly new cars from somewhere like heycar is important – particularly as you get the added reassurance of a warranty and a money-back guarantee.
Also, because the amount of choice of nearly new cars can be much broader, it can be easy to get carried away with a sleek high-performance coupe, when what you really need is a five-door hatchback. Make sure the nearly new car you choose is right for your needs.
There isn't a specific definition of what constitutes a nearly new car. However, we generally consider a nearly new car to be less than a year old, with fewer than 1000 miles on the clock. There are a few exceptions to this. For example, you may see a car that's a few years old with very few miles offered that's simply sat at a dealership as a demonstrator and is only now being offered for sale. These can make great buys, but just remember that the clock on the warranty started ticking the moment the car was registered.
At heycar, all used cars listed on the site are aged eight years and under, with fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock. This means only the very best nearly new and used cars are available. To find a great selection of nearly new cars, simply set your budget in the search filters, then adjust the year to the last 12 months, and the mileage to a maximum of 1000 and see what great bargains pop up. Happy nearly new car hunting!
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