You can now buy a Lexus for under £5,000, a Maserati for family-hatchback money and even an Aston Martin for less than many new crossovers. These are the ultimate fake-it-till-you-make-it cars
What if you want to look as though you have made it in life, even when your finances tell a rather different story? Britain’s used-car market is packed with once-expensive luxury cars that now cost less than an ordinary new hatchback.
We are talking about a Lexus for under £5,000 and a Maserati for little more than the cost of a Dacia Spring, or less than a Kia Picanto. You could even pretend to be on His Majesty’s Secret Service, decline the MI6 fleet crossover and buy an Aston Martin while saving the Service money.
Depreciation has slashed the purchase prices, although the cars themselves still remember being expensive. Their engines, suspension, electronics, brakes and servicing requirements were engineered for wealthy first owners, so a cheap purchase can carry six-figure-car running costs.
The used prices below were checked against UK classified advertising in October 2026. They are shopping ranges rather than promises of condition or value. Buy on history and condition, check insurance, tax and clean-air-zone compliance, and commission a specialist inspection before committing substantial amounts of desperately hard-earned cash. Original new prices are indicative UK list-price bands because engines, body styles, trim levels and model years varied.
The cars at a glance
| Car | Generation | Approx. new price | Used budget | The image |
| Lexus LS460 | XF40 2007-2017 | Approx. £56,000-£80,000 | £5,000-£10,000 | Discreet Japanese wealth |
| Audi A7 | 4G8 2010-2018 | Approx. £43,000-£75,000 | £5,000-£12,000 | The design-conscious executive |
| Jaguar XJ | X351 2009-2019 | Approx. £56,000-£120,000+ | £5,000-£12,000 | Cabinet-minister presence |
| BMW 6 Series | F12 F13 F06 2011-2018 | Approx. £60,000-£100,000+ | £6,000-£15,000 | West End style on a suburban budget |
| Jaguar XK | X150 2006-2014 | Approx. £60,000-£105,000 | £7,000-£15,000 | British grand-tourer glamour |
| Maserati Ghibli | M157 2014-2024 | Approx. £50,000-£100,000+ | £9,000-£20,000 | The maverick’s Italian choice |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | W222 2014-2020 | Approx. £65,000-£190,000+ | £10,000-£20,000 | Boardroom authority |
| Mercedes-Benz SL | R231 2011-2020 | Approx. £72,000-£180,000+ | £12,000-£20,000 | Beverly Hills glamour |
| Range Rover | L405 2012-2021 | Approx. £71,000-£100,000+ | £11,000-£20,000 | The Knightsbridge warrior |
| Maserati GranTurismo | 2007-2019 | Approx. £80,000-£125,000+ | £15,000-£20,000 | Maximum Italian theatre |
| Bentley Continental GT | 2003-2011 | £100,000-£125,000 | £12,000-£20,000 | Nobody messes with the boss |
| Aston Martin DB9 | 2004-2016 | £103,000-£115,000 | £20,000-£35,000 | Bond fantasy for hatchback money |
1. Lexus LS460 (XF40 2007-2017)
If you want to look rich and feel rich, comfortable and reassured by obsessive build quality, the Japanese option deserves to come first. The Lexus LS460 feels as though it was carved from volcanic ceramic clay by Takumi craftspeople who would rather fall on their chisels than allow a visible flaw through the factory gate.
Its 4.6-litre V8, hushed refinement and beautifully finished cabin still make it feel genuinely expensive. It glides into view, deposits somebody important and disappears without demanding applause. Advertised examples start below £5,000, although a more sensible shopping budget is £5,000 to £10,000 for a well-kept car with convincing history.
The LS has a formidable reputation for durability, but age still wins eventually. Suspension components, sophisticated braking hardware and neglected electronics can be costly. Buy carefully and it remains the discreet choice for someone who has money and sees no reason to announce it through a megaphone.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £56,000-£80,000 |
| Used shopping budget | £5,000-£10,000 |
| What to look out for | Suspension arms and bushes, air suspension where fitted, brake actuator and electronic systems, cooling system, complete service history. |
2. Audi A7 (4G8 2010-2018)
The first-generation Audi A7 is the natural habitat of IT executives and architects who wear circular wire-rimmed spectacles. They are often heard saying, ‘Let’s circle back,’ and you just know they are thinking about the four rings on the grille.
The frameless doors, broad stance and fastback roof still look contemporary, while the vast hatchback makes it usefully practical. V6 3.0 TDI models can appear below £5,000 and petrol cars are scarcer, so a realistic budget of £5,000 to £12,000 buys choice rather than merely an Audi-shaped problem.
Check the transmission carefully, test every electrical feature and look for evidence of regular maintenance. Early diesels also require registration-specific checks for ULEZ and other clean-air zones. An A7 can look like a modern £50,000 executive car from across the street because, fundamentally, that is what it was.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £43,000-£75,000 |
| Used shopping budget | £5,000-£12,000 |
| What to look out for | S tronic or Tiptronic operation, electronics and infotainment, suspension wear, oil or coolant leaks, diesel emissions equipment and documented servicing. |
3. Jaguar XJ (X351 2009-2019)
The Jaguar XJ moves us from the boardroom into a government department. Arrive in a black X351 and people may assume you are a cabinet minister, with a security detail following discreetly somewhere behind.
This was the final generation of the XJ, a nameplate long associated with senior executives, diplomats and the British government fleet. Its spacious cabin and wafting ride make every trip feel like an official engagement. Diesels can be advertised below £5,000, while some 5.0-litre V8 cars also dip below £10,000. Given the choice, the V8 supplies rather more ceremony.
Inspect the rear air suspension, panoramic roof, electrics and suspension bushes, then investigate the engine’s maintenance history. Find a sound example and the XJ offers a remarkable combination of grace, space and pace for ordinary-family-car money.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £56,000-£120,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £5,000-£12,000 |
| What to look out for | Rear air suspension, panoramic roof and water ingress, suspension bushes, electrical functions, cooling system and engine-specific service history. |
4. BMW 6 Series (F12 F13 F06 2011-2018)
The F-generation BMW 6 Series has all the visual ingredients people associate with a very expensive car: a long bonnet, a low roof, broad rear haunches, large wheels and, in coupé form, only two doors. The four-door Gran Coupé is effectively a saloon, although it remains one of the most handsome swept-back BMWs since the E38 7 Series of the 1990s.
Coupés can begin at around £6,000, convertibles need roughly another thousand and early Gran Coupés are available from about £7,000. These were £60,000 to £100,000 cars when new, depending on engine and specification. A well-maintained 640i petrol is particularly appealing, provided its cooling system and service record stand up to scrutiny.
Check the suspension, electronics and gearbox, and resist cars wearing bargain-basement modifications. Few things make an expensive-looking BMW appear cheaper than questionable wheels and an exhaust that wakes the neighbourhood before the owner does.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £60,000-£100,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £6,000-£15,000 |
| What to look out for | Cooling system, oil leaks, suspension and adaptive dampers, gearbox behaviour, electrical equipment, roof operation on convertibles and servicing. |
5. Jaguar XK (X150 2006-2014)
British muscle car, classy grand tourer and the ultimate conveyance for the ultimate cad, the Jaguar XK is sleek enough for the Savoy and dramatic enough to charm a supermodel into the passenger seat. Prod the throttle and it can change character with the speed of a cinematic psychopath.
The aluminium-bodied X150 arrived in 2006 and still looks contemporary, with its long bonnet, compact cabin, muscular rear arches and creamy V8. Early cars use a 4.2-litre engine, while later versions gained the 5.0-litre unit. Cars can appear from about £6,000, although £7,000 to £15,000 is a more realistic range for an example worth owning.
Inspect the aluminium body for corrosion or poor accident repair, listen for suspension knocks and check the cooling system, gearbox and roof mechanism on convertibles. A neglected XK can be a basket case in a dinner jacket, so condition matters far more than the lowest advertised price.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £60,000-£105,000 |
| Used shopping budget | £7,000-£15,000 |
| What to look out for | Aluminium body corrosion or poor repairs, suspension bushes, cooling system, gearbox operation, convertible roof where fitted, brakes and service history. |
6. Maserati Ghibli (M157 2014-2024)
The Maserati Ghibli is the maverick’s choice, intended for someone who forges a personal path, sets trends and continues looking cool while waiting for recovery at the roadside. That is slightly unfair, because the M157 is less temperamental than Maseratis of old and still looks remarkably fresh.
Diesels are available well below £10,000, although the petrol versions suit the badge and character rather better and generally require closer to £15,000. The trident grille, frameless doors, triple wing vents and exotic name create instant theatre before the engine has even started.
Cabin quality trails the best German rivals and maintenance history matters enormously. Check the suspension, brakes, electronics, underside and cooling system, and treat a patchy service record as a warning. The Ghibli can make a £10,000 arrival look like a £60,000 one, right up until the bonnet is raised.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £50,000-£100,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £9,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Suspension arms and bushes, brakes and tyres, electrical systems, cooling and oil leaks, diesel emissions equipment, underside condition and specialist history. |
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222 2014-2020)
This is the car for dictators, or at least people with tyrant tendencies. Few vehicles communicate ‘I have made it’ as convincingly as an S-Class, which makes the W222 ideal for anyone who would like to project the same message slightly ahead of schedule.
The W222 has enormous road presence and delivers the complete luxury experience inside: huge seats, leather, wood, twin displays and the feeling that somebody in the rear should be negotiating an international merger. Diesels are entirely acceptable in an S-Class because nobody outside will know or care. Cars can begin around £10,000, although the best value lies in documented examples rather than the cheapest advert.
Air suspension, electronics and emissions equipment can transform the bargain into a highly sophisticated garden ornament. Budget £10,000 to £20,000, insist on convincing maintenance and keep money aside for the systems that made it such an advanced flagship when new.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £65,000-£190,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £10,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Air suspension, every electrical and infotainment function, diesel emissions hardware, cooling system, water ingress, battery condition and complete maintenance history. |
8. Mercedes-Benz SL (R231 2011-2020)
The R231 SL makes people think your second home is in Monaco or Beverly Hills and that you shop exclusively on Bond Street, even if the labels actually came from Bicester Village during a particularly vigorous sale.
Early SL350s are advertised from around £12,000, while £14,000 to £18,000 opens up considerably more choice. The shape has aged gracefully, the folding metal roof changes it from coupé to convertible and even the entry-level V6 provides enough performance for the role. A budget of £12,000 to £20,000 gives room to prioritise condition.
Operate the roof repeatedly and check for water ingress, blocked drains, suspension faults and electrical problems. A complex folding hard-top is magnificent when functioning and rather less glamorous when it pauses halfway through its party trick.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £72,000-£180,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £12,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Folding roof operation, water ingress and blocked drains, suspension, battery and electronics, cooling system, brakes and annual servicing. |
9. Range Rover (L405 2012-2021)
The L405 Range Rover once suggested lord-of-the-manor wealth. Today it is more likely to imply a luxurious home in Primrose Hill and a weekly appointment in Knightsbridge. Either way, it remains one of the most recognisable symbols of success on British roads.
Early Vogue and Vogue SE diesels appear from around £11,000, while petrol versions usually require at least £16,000 or £17,000. The cabin, commanding driving position and sheer presence still make occupants feel rich as well as look it.
Engines, air suspension, electronics, cooling and diesel emissions hardware all require investigation. Check for sagging, compressor noise, warning messages, coolant leaks and tailgate problems, then find a friendly specialist before the car finds one for you. A £20,000 upper budget allows you to shop on condition and history.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £71,000-£100,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £11,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Air suspension and compressor, engine and cooling system, emissions equipment on diesels, electronics and infotainment, tailgate, water leaks and specialist history. |
10. Maserati GranTurismo (2007-2019)
The Maserati GranTurismo is one of the sexiest cars on this list and perhaps the strongest piece of automotive theatre for the money. Pininfarina gave it form, the V8 gave it heart and the badge supplies the enigma. Nobody watching it arrive will guess how little you paid.
The original car cost around £80,000 when launched, with later and higher-performance versions climbing well beyond that. Early cars now appear below £14,000, although £15,000 to £20,000 is a healthier buying range and several thousand pounds should remain available for maintenance and repairs.
Confirm which gearbox is fitted because the conventional automatic and MC Shift are very different ownership propositions. Inspect the subframes and underside, listen for cam-variator noise on early cars and examine the cooling system, suspension and history. Buy well and it delivers supercar presence, a glorious soundtrack and greatly improved romantic prospects, although results may vary.
| Approx. price when new | Approx. £80,000-£125,000+ |
| Used shopping budget | £15,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Confirm conventional automatic or MC Shift transmission, listen for early cam-variator noise, inspect subframes and underside, cooling system, suspension, brakes and history. |
11. Bentley Continental GT (2003-2011)
The first-generation Bentley Continental GT is the property magnate’s car. People assume the coat came from Harrods and the cigar cost £100, even if you only bite it rather than light it. With an enormous grille, handcrafted cabin and 6.0-litre W12, it is impossible to ignore.
Early examples are advertised near £10,000, although £12,000 to £20,000 is the range to consider for a credible car. These cost roughly £100,000 to £125,000 when new. Pull up outside a restaurant in one and nobody sees the invoice; they see the winged badge and assume you are monumentally moneyed.
The words ‘cheap to buy’ need their largest possible asterisk here. Vacuum and boost pipes, water-sensitive electronics, air suspension, brakes, tyres and the tightly packed W12 can generate bills worthy of the bonnet badge. A specialist inspection is essential, because nobody messes with the boss, especially the boss’s mechanic.
| Approx. price when new | £100,000-£125,000 |
| Used shopping budget | £12,000-£20,000 |
| What to look out for | Air suspension, vacuum and boost pipework, cooling leaks, batteries and water-sensitive electronics, gearbox and drivetrain, brakes, tyres and specialist history. |
12. Aston Martin DB9 (2004-2016)
The bonus choice is the Aston Martin DB9, a car many people still assume costs comfortably into six figures. When new, it did. The remarkable part is that the DB9 has barely aged and remains one of the most beautiful modern grand tourers.
It suggests Savile Row, private jets, discreet casino accounts and occasional work for His Majesty’s Government. Cars begin near £20,000, while a £20,000 to £35,000 budget covers the broader market. Turn up for a meeting in one and the contract may be ready before you can request your drink shaken rather than stirred.
Check the V12 cooling system, misfires and coil packs, then assess the automatic gearbox or clutch on manual cars. Inspect the aluminium body and bonded structure, test the electronics and demand annual specialist servicing. Buying the Aston makes you feel like James Bond; maintaining one can make you feel like Q during a systems failure.
| Approx. price when new | £103,000-£115,000 |
| Used shopping budget | £20,000-£35,000 |
| What to look out for | V12 cooling and misfires, coil packs, Touchtronic operation or manual clutch, suspension and brakes, aluminium body corrosion or repairs, electrics and annual specialist servicing. |
Which cheap luxury car should you buy?
For inexpensive style, my pick is the Jaguar XK. It looks far more expensive than its purchase price and still offers a charismatic V8 grand-touring experience. For the complete luxury treatment, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains difficult to beat, provided you can support its appetite for maintenance.
For maximum theatre, choose the Maserati GranTurismo. The shape, badge and V8 soundtrack make it feel genuinely special every time it appears. If the aim is to convince everybody that you have sold your company and are considering your next acquisition, the Bentley Continental GT remains the definitive answer.
The Aston Martin DB9 is the glorious bonus choice for those prepared to stretch the budget and accept V12 running costs. It may cost the same as a modern family crossover, yet nobody has ever mistaken a DB9 for sensible transport.
Which one would convince your neighbours that you had made it, and which would you actually risk your own money on? Let me know in the comments.
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