The Best German Used Cars

It’s hard not to fall for the BMW 5 Series. It is easily one of the best German cars around due to its breadth of abilities; spacious, comfortable and easy to live with, it’s a car with very few drawbacks. Plus, you can get it in conventional saloon or roomier estate (or Touring, in BMW-speak) layouts, giving you the flexibility to choose.

This generation of 5 Series is often seen as one of the most capable. It’s efficient when equipped with smaller diesel or petrol engines, but they’re still punchy enough to deliver an exciting drive. The build quality is also exceptional and, because of its popularity, there are loads to choose from on Motors currently. Sportier M Sport models brought larger alloy wheels and a greater level of standard equipment, but even ‘standard’ trims had more than enough features for most people.

We couldn’t talk about the best German cars and not mention the Volkswagen Golf, right? The original mass-production hatchback, the Golf has only gone from strength to strength with each passing generation while maintaining the practicality and user-friendliness that shot the original model to stardom.

We’re big fans of this seventh-generation Golf as it has all of the modern creature comforts that you could want, while still having that ‘connected’ feeling to the road which ensures it’s great to drive. Remember, you still get the iconic GTI in this generation if you’re after something a little sportier, while even more powerful ‘R’ versions are something of an icon of this generation.

The Mercedes C Class is the compact model which has brought upmarket touches to the masses for a long time. In more recent generations of the C Class you’ve been able to get it in coupe, saloon, estate and convertible guises, delivering the same classy experiences in a variety of different layouts.

This generation of C Class is polished and great to look at, while still being as refined as you’d expect a car with a three-pointed star on the bonnet to be. Inside, there’s plenty of tech which still looks fresh today while the diesel-powered models are particularly frugal and make a great option for long-distance drivers looking to save money on topping-up.

What’s not to like about a premium-feeling SUV? Audi hit the nail on the head when it created the Q5 and, as one of its first high-riding models, it has been around for a little while but created a big impact during that time.

The most recent version of the Q5 is by far the most rounded but, because it’s been around since 2017, there are loads of examples to choose from so you can find one that fits your budget. Packed full of technology and with plenty of standard features, the Q5 is a family favourite as its large boot and spacious interior means it feels usefully sized for all kinds of occasions. A performance SQ5 version is also there for people who want to travel a little faster – but bear in mind that you’ll have higher running costs than with a ‘regular’ Q5 model.

Fancy a slice of the electric life from your German-made car? The BMW i3 is a great place to head. It was one of the German firm’s first mass-market EVs and, in classic BMW fashion, was engineered to a high standard from top to bottom.

Utilising a clever carbon structure and a quirky ‘suicide’ style door setup, the i3 still feels perfectly modern today, while early versions with a range-extending petrol engine (which acts as a generator for the electric motor) can provide an option for people who don’t want to go entirely electric just yet. Later versions of the i3 could return up to 193 miles of range and while earlier examples won’t be able to match this, it’s hard not to be charmed by this compact BMW’s incredible build quality and futuristic interior.

The Porsche 911 is like the Manchester United of the motoring world – even people who aren’t into cars know about it. This iconic rear-engined model is seen by many as the epitome of sports car development and, throughout its many similar-looking generations, it has routinely come out on top as one of the best-handling cars you can buy. And guess what? It’s a die-hard German.

We’re big fans of this 991-generation car as it’s great to drive but has plenty of availability on the used market. Naturally, if you’re looking at 911 you can’t be too concerned with practicality but with a well-sized ‘frunk’ in the nose and another storage area at the back, it’s not as hard to live with as you might expect. Like all high-end sports cars, the 911 will need to be well serviced to avoid some hefty bills down the line.

Audi’s TT was a breath of fresh air when it first arrived, with its curvaceous design helping it to establish a foothold in the sportier end of the motoring spectrum almost immediately. As far as German all-star cars, the TT is right up there. While that opening model sure is appealing, we’d lean towards the latest incarnation which is where the TT story actually came to an end.

That’s right, Audi decided that the end was nigh for the TT in 2023, but that doesn’t stop it from being a superb used buy. Available in both hard- and soft-top layouts, the TT is a great sports car to use each and every day. Sportier TTS and TTRS model are both there to cater for drivers who want some extra performance from their next car, too.

The Tiguan is one of Volkswagen’s most popular models and it’s not hard to work out why. Large, comfortable and packed with features, it’s a car which fits the bills for all type of drivers. Thanks to its efficient engines it’s relatively inexpensive to run, too, while reliability has been one of the Tiguan’s strong suits during its entire lifetime.

This most recent Tiguan makes for an excellent used buy, too, as all models get lots of equipment as standard. You can get it with four-wheel-drive, plus, if your’e after seven-seater versatility then you can opt for the Allspace version which brings two additional seats over the standard car – it’s a good pick for larger groups.

While it’s easy to think of the S-Class and C-Class as some of the most important models in the Mercedes line-up, you could argue that the EQC has been one of the most innovative. It was one of the first production electric vehicles from the German brand and announced its entry into what would become one of the most competitive segments out there.

With a range of up to 255 miles it’s got plenty of miles in the ‘tank’ while its interior has all of the technology and features that you’d expect from a Mercedes. Plus, because of quite steep depreciation. there are some bargain EQC models out there and, when coupled with lower running costs, make this a car more value-focused proposition than you might think initially.

While it might be the famous 911 which is the poster star for Porsche, it’s actually cars like the Macan which make up the bulk of the sales for this German brand. It actually shares a platform with the Q5 but, in traditional Porsche fashion, is sharper to drive and available with a series of powerful engines.

Like the 911, you can get the Macan in a series of specifications – such as the range-topping Turbo – but whichever model you opt for, you’re getting a car which handles far more like a hot hatch but brings a lot more space and versatility. Loads of standard features combine with excellent build quality to make the Macan into a go-faster SUV which is perfectly usable on a day-to-day basis.