'I'm a car expert - these are the 3 best used cars for under £10k'

Drivers on the lookout for second-hand used cars on a budget often have two simple criteria: Is it affordable? And will it be reliable? Hundreds of petrol, diesel, and electric models are available for under £10,000, with popular models from Ford, Volkswagen, and more all potential options.

However, three vehicles that may not be on motorists' radar could be the perfect pick, with each offering renowned reliability, plenty of space, and affordability. The Toyota RAV4 has been praised by motoring experts and mechanics for its toughness, making it one of the most reliable models on the road. Meanwhile, the electric Nissan LEAF and plucky Dacia are also often overlooked by second-hand car owners despite a range of benefits.

Toyota RAV4

Leading mechanic Scotty Kilmer has previously warned that the RAV4 is one of the most reliable models on the road. He has claimed that vehicles could run for hundreds of thousands of miles if they are well maintained, making them ideal for those after stability and hassle-free motoring.

Scotty previously said: "I've never seen one of these break yet. As long as you don't drive through six feet of water and flood the whole car out, it's a really good system. It's been out a while, this one is a 2015, and I've never seen one break." Meanwhile, recent data from Warranty Solutions Group (WSG) placed the RAV4 at the top of their reliability list.

The study found that only 9.68% of RAV4 owners had made car insurance claims on average, the lowest of the models they analysed. Some models around a decade old can be picked up for around £9,000, making it under budget for many.

Nissan LEAF

The Nissan LEAF was probably the first mainstream electric car is still well sought after by owners over a decade later. This is now one of the cheapest ways motorists can make the transition to EVs, with some models now available for under £5,000.

According to WhatCar, the Nissan Leaf is one of the more reliable electric cars on the road. The model placed second out of 18 cars in their latest survey in the electric car category, with a reliability score of 95.6%.

Dacia Duster

Families looking for something a little more spacious may be tempted to enter the SUV market. Range Rovers may be a little out of many road users' price range, but SUVs can be picked up for under £10,000 if motorists do their homework.

The Dacia Duster is one of the standout models in the category with a generous boot space of over 1,500 litres once the seats are folded down. The interior may not be anything special, but WhatCar? has claimed the model had a "good" overall reliability score, ranking better than rivals such as the Ford Puma.