Safest Small Used Cars

Safety technology has progressed significantly over the past 25-years, and this is no more apparent than in small cars.

State-of-the-art safety systems, from a full complement of airbags, crash-avoidance devices and robust technology is longer the preserve of luxury cars, levelling the playing field for those who want to feel safe at the wheel of an affordable small used car.

Indeed, safety sells and this has led to a swathe of small cars that have performed well in EuroNCAP crash and safety testing.

EuroNCAP began as the European governing body for crash testing but it has since increased its scope to measure cars on the application and effectiveness of crash avoidance systems too.

Here we have selected the six small cars that performed best across the board under EuroNCAP’s assessments in recent years.

It means you can be reassured that there are small used cars that might be cheap on price but don’t skimp on safety…

Used MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper has always enjoyed an excellent safety record when put through its paces with EuroNCAP over the years.

Each update has seen the premium sporty hatchback perform better-and-better, with the current generation ranked with the best all-round scores for any city car or supermini.

Don’t let this deter you from considering an older model though for the MINI’s strong performances for the previous generation still among the very best in class today.

It’s just another string to the bow of an already accomplished model, which delivers retro-chic style, a quality interior and an exceptional driving experience.

Used Volkswagen Polo

One of the UK’s most popular small cars is also reassuringly one of the safest with the Volkswagen Polo gaining excellent EuroNCAP scores during its most recent assessment, including 94% for the offset frontal impact test.

In fact, pound-for-pound, the Polo holds status as the safest small car within its affordable price bracket.

As well as being safe, the Polo is also a quality choice with its sturdy, well-built interior and muted yet timelessly classic looks.

It’s also spacious, while the diverse range offers a broad choice of penny-pinching entry-level models that are cheap to run right up to the sporty Polo GTi.

Used Toyota Yaris

Already an excellent small used car on the strength of its fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain, the Toyota Yaris complements its frugal nature by being a sensibly safe choice too.

When assessing the 2020 model year, the Yaris scored a full five-stars and was singled out for particular praise in the offset front crash test, scoring 86%.

However, it also scored strongly across the board, making the Yaris a great value buy when you factor in these ratings and that ground-breaking hybrid powertrain, which is capable of up to 68mpg.

SEAT Ibiza

Based on the running gear of the Volkswagen Polo, it is little surprise that the SEAT Ibiza also features strongly here.

In fact, the inclusion of this car and Skoda Fabia (read on) is validating that the basic design of the platform is built to be safe and robust.

The Ibiza – which was last tested in 2022 - gained a strong 83% for safety in the offset frontal impact, while it is worth noting that the 2017 model also performed well years earlier with a five-star rating too.

Used Skoda Fabia

Much like its Polo and Ibiza sisters, the Skoda Fabia shows itself to be a safe and sturdy small car choice.

Last tested in 2021 in its current guise, the Fabia scored 85% for safety in the offset frontal impact amid strong ratings across the board.

It consolidates the Fabia’s reputation as a sensible small used car purchase with its emphasis on being easy-to-live as a spacious, reliable and affordable hatchback.

Used BYD Dolphin Surf

City cars have always been the models most susceptible to issues with safety by the very nature of their small size, but some manufacturers have tackled this head-on in recent years.

One such example is the BYD Dolphin Surf, which despite measuring less than four-metres, is regarded by EuroNCAP as one of the safest cars on sale.

The all-electric Dolphin Surf was singled out for the accuracy of its crash avoidance systems, but it also performed particularly well in physical crash testing to earn it a full five-star rating.

The results serve to emphasise the Dolphin Surf’s attributes as an excellent city model Indeed, as one of the cheapest electric models on the market, it therefore makes a great value used small car buy.