SECONDHAND SUPERHEROES

THEY’RE OUT OF THIS WORLD! THEY’VE ALREADY DONE MOST OF THEIR CATASTROPHIC DEPRECIATION! PREPARE TO MEET OUR BAND OF CAREFULLY CURATED USED CAR BARGAINS

ECOMENTALIST

GOING GREEN DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN BUYING NEW: THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR THE ECO-WARRIOR IN YOU

WORDS PAUL HORRELL

£ 15K AND UNDER

Mercedes C220 CDI estate

PRICE THEN/NOW: £20,845/£12–15k

PROS Very economical on the long trips it’d be used for. A traditional Mercedes with all that implies

CONS People ignorant of modern emissions controls will despise it for running on diesel

In this early EV age, we should subvert the pecking order in two-car households. Traditionally the main family car is the big expensive new one, while a used supermini does the running about. But right now, long range electrics are expensive and still can’t do a fully loaded drive non-stop to the south of France. So buy a cheaper used estate to do that task.

Right, the Benz. A filthy diesel on my eco list? Well, 50mpg all day means it’s low CO 2. And it would be criminally wasteful to scrap a car this new. It’s actually EU6 so ULEZ compliant. Mind you I won’t be sitting in traffic jams outside primary schools or respiratory wards. The i3 is for that. This is reserved for occasional long-hauling, or five up plus baggage heavy hauling.

A tidy C-Class wagon looks and feels like a new car. Don’t worry about whatever the mileometer says when you buy, just watch the timing chain.