Buying a used saloon car
Saloons are known for their exceptional road handling. In a nutshell? A comfy ride for both the driver and their passengers.
Used saloons: what are the crucial points you need to know?
Saloons are designed to take 4 to 5 passengers and cruise vast distances in the greatest of comfort. But before you purchase a used saloon, there are several points to consider:
- The bodywork: take a careful walk around the car. You should be able to easily spot problems: dents, scratches, condition of the paintwork. The appearance of a saloon is significant and will give you some idea of its history.
- The engine: the owner's driving habits, mileage, maintenance log, types of trips taken, etc. Several factors will determine the condition of your future used saloon.
- The interior: luxury and comfort - the hallmarks of a saloon. Unfortunately, everyday hiccups leave their mark: damaged or stained leather, tears, holes, scratches, friction marks ... Inspect your future used saloon from every angle to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
- Equipment: the car's tech will vary from one model to another and can be a decisive factor when making your choice. Thanks to a vibrant second-hand market, you'll find well-equipped saloons with assisted parking and an integrated GPS such as in a used Mercedes Class E and a used BMW series 5 to name just a couple.
The price of having such a high level of comfort means saloons are large, especially when it comes to their length, which can make navigating urban areas and finding parking spaces a bit tricky.
What are the best used saloons?
The Dacia Logan is a good option for those looking for a saloon on a budget, it’s also a very popular choice of saloon model. For those with higher budgets a used Fiat Tipo or Renault Fluence will do the trick.
Compact sedans are the most common models on the second-hand market, and you'll get a great deal by investing in a French-made saloon (Renault Mégane, Peugeot 308, Citroën C4) or a German-made one (Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra, Ford Focus). Other manufacturers have recently entered the market and have already won over buyers with their attractive prices: Kia Cee'd, Hyundai I30 and I40. The Japanese haven't been left out with the Toyota Auris/Corolla, the Nissan Pulsar and the Honda Civic.
For used premium saloons, the choice is there - the Audi A4 and A6, the Mercedes C-Class and E-Class, and the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series, not forgetting used Volvos (C30 and C70 ) Alfa Romeo 159s and Giuliettas.
Used plug-in hybrid saloons
Plug-in hybrid saloons have a small electric motor in addition to a combustion engine making it possible to travel a few dozen kilometres in all-electric mode, before needing to plug it in for a recharge. Current popular models include:
- The Peugeot 508 HYBRID;
- The Citroën C5 X HYBRID ;
- The Peugeot 308 HYBRID;
- The DS 9 E-TENSE ;
- The DS 4 E-TENSE;
- The Mercedes C-Class 350 ;
- The BMW 330e and 225xe ;
- The Volkswagen Passat GTE ;
- The Seat Leon eHybrid;
- The Skoda Octavia iV;
- The Kia Optima.
To compensate for the higher price of a plug-in hybrid saloon compared to a conventional fuel-powered model, you should use its electric motor regularly.
Used hybrid saloons
Hybrid saloons have an electric battery that is charged while driving and not by plugging it into a power outlet. These models have an all-electric range of only a few kilometres, but that still helps to reduce fuel consumption. Plus they're much cheaper than plug-in hybrids.
Some of the models available include:
- The Toyota Auris and Corolla ;
- The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid ;
- The Lexus CT 200h ;
- The Honda CR-Z Hybrid.
Used electric saloons
While they may not have the same autonomy as a combustion engine, electric saloons are improving day by day, meaning you can cover several hundred kilometres without consuming a drop of fuel. Models currently available on the second-hand market include:
- The compact Citroën ë-C4 ;
- The Renault Fluence ZE ;
- The Polestar 2 ;
- the Volkswagen ID.3
- The prestigious Tesla Model S, compact Tesla Model 3
Numerous manufacturers are busy working on prototypes and future luxury electric saloon designs. These include the Audi A9 e-tron and the Mercedes EQE.
OWN iT – find your next used saloon car
How do I estimate the value of my used saloon?
Saloons are prestige vehicles, and second-hand prices depend on the brand, the specific model, its range, mileage or the date of its first entry into service. The trade-in value of a used saloon, therefore, needs to take several factors into account.
Do you want to estimate the value of a used saloon like the Peugeot 508, Renault Talisman, Skoda Superb or even an Audi A6? SPOTICAR has a free online vehicle valuation tool. Enter your car's make and model, its registration number and some basic information to get an initial estimate. You can then contact a professional SPOTICAR partner to obtain a firm trade-in offer.
