Best used car under 500K

Our picks at a glance

If you're in a hurry, here's our pick for each need. The reasons are below.

Our pick for each need

Need	Our pick	Model years	Price	Why, in one line
Best overall	Nissan Sunny	2013–2015	EGP 412,000–437,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6)	All automatic, with cheap parts and a price within budget
Cheapest to maintain	Chevrolet Lanos	2015–2019	EGP 310,000–335,000 (Market range for the 2015 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 7)	Cheap parts and easy maintenance
Built to last	BYD F3	2017–2022	EGP 350,000–430,000 (Market range for the 2017 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of October 11)	Few faults, and the newest model within budget
Automatic	Nissan Sunny or Hyundai Accent	2013–2015 · 2013–2014	EGP 412,000–437,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6)	Automatic gearbox with no major recurring fault
For families	Nissan Sunny	2013–2015	EGP 412,000–437,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6)	Spacious boot and comfortable rear seat
SUV	Renault Duster	2012–2015	EGP 414,000–497,000 (Market range for the 2014 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6)	High ground clearance handles speed bumps
Lower fuel use	Kia Picanto manual	2011–2013	EGP 466,000–495,000 (Market range for the 2012 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of October 24)	One of the most fuel-efficient cars

No new car has an official price below 500k. The cheapest, the Suzuki Alto, costs EGP 535,000 (Official distributor price · as of October 24), so this guide covers used cars only.

Best overall

If you want a car without the headaches, look for 3 things: an automatic gearbox, affordable maintenance and a price that's genuinely within budget, without stretching it. In our review, the Nissan Sunny N17 generation (2013–2015) combined these 3 best, so it's our best overall pick.

Why we picked it

• Every one is automatic: any Sunny N17 you find will be automatic, so you won't have to look far.
• Parts are among the cheapest for Japanese cars, and any mechanic in Egypt knows the car.
• 490-litre boot and generous rear legroom.
• The price is within budget: the 2013 model costs EGP 412,000–437,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6), and the 2015 model costs EGP 422,000–466,000 (Market range for the 2015 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 4).

Watch out for

• Less stability at high speeds: if you do most of your driving on motorways, test it there before you decide.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Kia Cerato is one of the easiest cars to resell, and its parts are cheap, but its price is now over budget (EGP 510,000–580,000 (Market range for the 2011 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 4) for the 2011 model). The BYD F3 is newer and has few faults, but its models up to 2021 are manual only, and an automatic is far easier than a manual in traffic. The Renault Logan has a bigger boot and offers an automatic from the 2015 model year, but its four-speed automatic hangs between shifts, a known fault. The Sunny combines an automatic gearbox, cheap maintenance and a price within budget. That's why the Sunny wins.

Over budget by a little: if you can spend a little more, the Kia Cerato 2011 model is a strong choice because it's one of the easiest cars to resell. But test it with a cold engine before you pay, because it has a gearbox jerk that shows up in the morning, on the first start. If you can stretch further, see the best car under 1 million EGP.

Our pick: Nissan Sunny 2013–2015. If you can stretch your budget a little, get a 2011 Kia Cerato.

Cheapest to maintain

Some cars have an appealing price but eat into your budget every month with maintenance. Here, we looked for the car you'd spend the least on while owning it, and picked the Chevrolet Lanos (formerly the Daewoo Lanos), 2015–2019 models.

Why we picked it

• Its parts are among the cheapest on the market, and you'll find them in any parts shop.
• Easy maintenance.
• Easy to resell when you want to change it.

Watch out for

• Timing belt and camshaft: these are known trouble spots. Ask when the belt was last changed. If there's no invoice, budget for a replacement.
• Manual only, with no ABS: better suited to daily trips than long-distance travel.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Hyundai Atos is cheaper to buy, but its engine has an unstable idle, and its models within budget are older (2010–2011). The Lanos models are newer, up to 2019, and its parts are among the cheapest on the market, and you'll find them in any parts shop. That's why the Lanos wins on maintenance.

If your budget is below the price of a Lanos and you only need a car to get you around on daily trips, the Atos is a sensible choice. If you need ABS or travel a lot, neither the Lanos nor the Atos suits you; look at the "Built to last" section.

Our pick: Chevrolet Lanos 2015–2019. You won't find a car cheaper to maintain.

Built to last

If you plan to buy a car and keep it for years, the priority is to stay out of workshops. In our review, we picked the BYD F3 because it has some of the fewest faults in this budget, and it's also the newest model you can get for the money.

Why we picked it

• Few faults: it has no major recurring mechanical fault, and most complaints are minor.
• Easy to resell.
• Models up to 2022: the 2021 model costs EGP 456,000–466,000 (Market range for the 2021 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of October 26), giving you a newer car for the same money.
• Parts are quick to find, because it was assembled in Egypt.

Watch out for

• Stability at high speeds isn't great: if you mostly drive on motorways, test it there before deciding.
• Brakes: have them checked thoroughly before buying, as they're a known trouble spot.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Mitsubishi Lancer has simple mechanicals and is easy to resell, but 2011 is the only year within budget, and its price sits right at the 500k edge. The Nissan Sunny N16 generation (2008–2013) is cheaper, but it has a known problem: the engine cuts out when hot. The F3 has few faults, with models up to 2022, so you'll buy a newer car for the same money. That's why the F3 wins.

If you prefer Japanese mechanicals and find a 2011 Lancer within your budget, get it. If you mostly drive on motorways, try the F3 there first, because its stability at high speeds isn't great.

Our pick: BYD F3 2017–2022. The newest car within budget, with few faults.

Best used automatic under 500K

You can find automatic cars under 500k, but the gearbox makes the difference: a good one lasts, while a bad one could cost you a large share of the car's price. Here are our picks in order, each with what to watch for in the gearbox.

1. Nissan Sunny N17 generation (2013–2015): any Sunny from this generation is automatic, and its parts are among the cheapest for Japanese cars. The 2013 model costs EGP 412,000–437,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 6).
2. Hyundai Accent RB 2013–2014: all these models are automatic, with no major recurring gearbox fault, and they're easy to resell. But its price can go over 500k (EGP 460,000–529,000 (Market range for the 2013 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of October 29)).
3. Chevrolet Optra J200 generation (2004–2013): the cheapest automatic on the list, from EGP 331,000–386,000 (Market range for the 2012 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of October 23). But if you spend a lot of time driving in traffic, it'll use more fuel than the others.

Over budget by a little: the Kia Cerato 2011 has a 4-speed automatic and is one of the easiest cars to resell, but it costs EGP 510,000–580,000 (Market range for the 2011 model year · Hatgebk market research · as of November 4), and you should test it with a cold engine to check for any jerk.

Avoid:

• Ford Focus 2012–2013 with the PowerShift gearbox: this gearbox is known for shuddering at low speeds and control unit failures. Repairs are expensive. Don't buy one unless there's a clear invoice documenting gearbox repairs.
• Chevrolet Cruze: recurring complaints of jerks and delayed gear changes.

Why we ranked them in this order

Every Sunny is automatic, maintenance is cheap and the price is within budget. The Hyundai Accent has no major recurring gearbox fault, but its price can go over 500k. The Chevrolet Optra is the cheapest automatic on the list, but it uses more fuel in traffic, and its suspension is stiff. The Ford Focus is tempting for its stability, but the PowerShift gearbox is known for its faults and is expensive to repair, so we dropped it from our picks.

If the gearbox matters most to you and you can stretch your budget a little, get an Accent. If your budget is tight, the Optra is the cheapest automatic here.

Our pick: Nissan Sunny 2013–2015. If you can spend a little more, get a Hyundai Accent. Avoid the Ford Focus with the PowerShift gearbox.

Best used family car under 500K

A family car needs 3 things: a spacious boot, a comfortable rear seat and comfort on daily trips. In our review, the Nissan Sunny N17 generation (2013–2015) was best at all 3.

Why we picked it

• 490-litre boot.
• Generous rear legroom and a high seating position.
• The rear seat fits 2 adults and a child seat on the school run.

Watch out for

• Less stability at high speeds when loaded. If you often travel on motorways, take it easy.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Renault Logan has a bigger boot (510 litres), is widely available on the used market and offers an automatic from the 2015 model year, but its four-speed automatic hangs between shifts, and it's less stable at high speeds. The Chevrolet Optra is automatic and cheap, but it sits low and its suspension is stiff, which isn't comfortable for a family on broken roads. The Sunny has generous rear legroom and a 490-litre boot, and every one is automatic. That's why the Sunny wins.

If the boot matters most and a manual isn't a problem, get a Logan. If you want an automatic at the lowest price, get an Optra.

Our pick: Nissan Sunny 2013–2015. If the boot matters most to you, get a Renault Logan.

If you want an SUV

It's hard to find a proper SUV under 500k, but there's one worth considering. In our review, we picked the Renault Duster HS generation (2012–2017) models from 2012–2015. It's the only one that combines high ground clearance and a spacious boot at a price within budget.

Why we picked it

• 205mm ground clearance: speed bumps and broken roads won't worry you.
• 475-litre boot.
• Familiar 1600cc engine: any mechanic knows how to work on it.

Watch out for

• Manual and front-wheel drive only: it looks like an SUV, but it isn't a car for the desert.
• Rust on 2012–2013 models: have it checked for rust before you pay. Sound insulation is also poor, so you'll hear more road noise than in a sedan.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Peugeot 2008 is automatic, but a 2015 model can cost more than 500k, and we still have little data on it. The Duster has 205mm of ground clearance, a 475-litre boot and a price within budget. That's why the Duster wins.

If you need an automatic and can stretch your budget, look at the Peugeot 2008, but have it inspected thoroughly.

Our pick: Renault Duster 2012–2015. If it's a 2012 or 2013 model, check for rust first.

Best for fuel economy

If most of your driving involves traffic and parking, fuel costs and ease of parking matter. In our review, we picked the Kia Picanto 2011–2013 models, with a manual gearbox.

Why we picked it

• Uses 5.5–6 litres per 100km: one of the most fuel-efficient cars within this budget.
• Parts are available and maintenance is easy.
• Easy to resell.

Watch out for

• The automatic gearbox in 2009–2013 models has a known problem, so get the manual.
• Small boot: better suited to city trips than long-distance travel.

Why we chose it over the rest

The Hyundai i10 comes as a manual or an automatic, and its fuel use is close to the Picanto's, but its automatic is sluggish, and it loses pull with the air conditioning on and a load aboard. The BYD F3 is a bigger sedan, but it uses more fuel than both (6.7 litres per 100km). The Picanto uses the least (5.5 litres per 100km), and its parts are available. That's why the manual Picanto wins.

If you need an automatic, get an i10, because the Picanto's automatic has a known problem in these model years. If you need more space for the family, get an F3.

Our pick: Kia Picanto manual. If you need an automatic, get a Hyundai i10.

Once you've chosen

If you're buying used, take the used car inspection sheet with you, and if you're paying in instalments, see buying a used car in instalments.

See the cars currently listed on Hatgebk: Used cars under 500K · Automatic cars under 500K

Frequently asked questions