×

Win your car finance with CarFinance 247


If you win, we'll pay off the finance on your car. It's that simple! Your car becomes completely yours, free and clear.

This amazing offer is open to anyone who has secured car finance with us throughout 2023, including Decemeber 2023!

This means that there's still time to enter, get your finance in December, and you're automatically in!

The lucky winner will be announced the week beginning 5th February 2024 on our instagram page.

Terms and Conditions apply.

The Five Safest Used Cars For Families

For many of us, one necessity when it comes to buying a new car is that it must be safe. No one wants to transport their family in a car that won’t protect them should the worst happen.

Written by James Foxall
Written by James Foxall
Main image

Realising that most of us aren’t in the market for a brand-new motor, Co-op Insurance plus safety experts at Thatcham Research perform an annual assessment of used cars. And they’ve also started releasing a list of five super-safe second-hand motors for parents.

Its research found 60 per cent of parents changed their car before a baby was born. Buying a new motor with improved safety features was one of the factors driving them to change cars.

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at Co-op said: “The safety of a vehicle is clearly important to new parents who, despite the amount of information given to them on a plethora of things related to babies, are often left wondering when it comes to what car to buy and drive. Parents clearly want to be better informed when it comes to the safety of the vehicles they are buying and driving, especially when they have precious cargo in tow.”

How they named the safest cars for families

Thatcham Research is one of the partners in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) which has been rating cars for safety over the past two decades. For a car to feature in top five safest used family cars it had to have been awarded the maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP.

It also had to be available with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). This is the tech where the car brings itself to a halt if it thinks it’s going to have a crash. Assessors also focused on how well each vehicle scored for child occupant protection. This included front and side protection and how easy and safe it is to fit child restraints in the rear seats.

Top five safest used cars for families

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5

What is it? This is the second generation of the popular compact crossover or SUV. This version is a step up in every respect from the model it replaces.

How much? The downside is this car was only available from 2017. As used examples are still quite new, you’ll struggle to find one for less than £22,000.

 

Volkswagen Touran

Volkswagen Touran

What is it? This seven-seat compact MPV or people carrier was first launched in 2003. That original VW Touran was on sale largely unchanged until 2015. The new model has more cabin space, is more economical and comes with an array of driver aids.

How much? You can pick up 15-reg 2015-onwards second-generation Tourans from around £16,000, although higher mileage examples might be slightly cheaper.

 

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

What is it? This five-seat compact MPV or people carrier was launched in 2014 and is the first BMW of its kind. It’s also the first to have its front rather than rear wheels driven. A wide range of petrol and diesel engines are available and there’s a seven-seat version too.

How much? You may find a higher mileage model for around £10,000. However, it’s more realistic to expect to pay £12,000 to £12,500 for 64-reg or 15-reg models.

 

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

What is it? This compact crossover or SUV was a gamechanger for Nissan, making this class of car mainstream. This second-generation Nissan Qashqai  is a good-looking five-seater that drives nicely and has a decent range of economical engines.

How much? A 2014 14-reg model will be yours for £10,000. You shouldn’t be short of choice.

 

Toyota RAV4

image of a black toyota rav4 car drivng through a puddle

What is it? Another compact five-seat SUV, this is the fourth-generation RAV4. The looks might be a bit take it or leave it but you know reliability will be bullet proof.

How much? As with the Qashqai, around £10,000 should buy a 14-reg model. But engine choice is likely to be limited to the diesel variant.



Written by James Foxall
James Foxall

* The UK's largest online car finance broker by unique users to the website. Based on Similar Web data – 1,137,647 to CarFinance 247 vs. 753,819 for nearest competitor. January to June 2023.

CarFinance 247 is a trading name of CarFinance 247 Limited. Registered office: Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH. Registered in England. (Registration Number 06035525).

CarFinance 247 is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution and credit broking (Firm Reference Number: 653019). CarFinance 247 is registered with the ICO (Registration Number Z1897658).

Finance is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Written quotations are available on request.

This site uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience. By continuing to use the site you are consenting for cookies to be used. Further information on cookies and how you can disable them is available on our cookie policy.