Bargain hunt: here are six used cars for £2,000 or less

Yes, you’re better off with a 3 Series Touring, but everyone buys those. Yes, this is a Mondeo underneath, but Mondeos were good cars. Top Gear has long had a soft spot for the old X-Type – as did Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And if it was good enough for her, then, well.

Here’s a V6 for £2,000 

While we’re hovering around Cars That Aren’t BMW 3 Series, here’s a small, rear-drive Lexus with 123k on the clock, a manual gearbox and a petrol engine. It’s our old friend the IS – always the bridesmaid, never the bride etc. Will likely last forever.

Here’s a red one for £1,995

Bit of a theme developing here, wouldn’t you say. Yes, it’s got sky high mileage but there’s a V6 slung into the nose of this bargain C230, which means it’s got 200 very well used German horsies. Lots of buttons, too.

Hope you like purple Benzes that cost exactly £1,957

Yes, Top Gear is extremely aware this is a cheap, used Alfa Romeo. What you do with the information that this one’s covered just 79k, is described as being in ‘good condition’, bears only two owners from new and gets a 16v 1.9-litre four-pot under its pretty nose is entirely up to you.

Worth a look at the very least, no?

Alert the authorities – this one might actually be a steal. A well used 2.0-litre VTEC Honda with a manual gearbox, two former keepers, a ‘good’ service history and a good overall condition. For just over fifteen hundred quid! No, you won’t get invited to parties – because Honda Accord – but you’ll be able to ferry everyone there and back. Until the end of time – because Honda Accord.

Just over fifteen hundred quid!

We couldn’t feature the one car our previous five would desperately liked to have beaten into submission. And yes, there are tonnes of old Bimmers clogging up online classifieds, so you can get any one you want. We’ve gone for the slightly unloved E90 saloon with a six-pot. Not as much fun as the E46, but a seriously good car nonetheless.

Turn your imagination off for a moment