Best Used Cars Under £15k / €15,000 in 2026 — Top Picks

Quick answer

For €15,000 in Lithuania you can buy a 3-5 year old car with modern safety and low mileage. According to WHEELSTREET data, the best picks are: Toyota Corolla Hybrid (from €16,000 but negotiable), VW Golf VIII (from €14,000), Kia Sportage QL (from €13,000), and Skoda Octavia IV (from €14,000) — all offer excellent reliability and strong resale value.

Fifteen thousand euros is a budget that opens up truly wide possibilities in the used car market. For this amount in 2026, you can find a 3–5-year-old car with comfortable equipment, modern safety systems, and acceptable mileage. This is the "sweet spot" — the zone where the car has already lost its biggest depreciation hit but is still young and reliable enough.

In this guide, you'll find specific models by category, real Lithuanian market prices, and tips on how to avoid mistakes when buying in this budget range.

Quick Summary: TOP 7 Picks for Those in a Hurry

What Can You Find Under €15,000?

Compared to cars under €10,000, the additional €5,000 provides essential advantages:

• Newer generation: instead of 2015–2017 models, you'll get 2019–2022 — with the latest safety standards
• Hybrid engines: Toyota and Hyundai hybrids become accessible in this budget
• Lower mileage: typically 60,000–100,000 km instead of 100,000–150,000 km
• Better equipment: LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, wireless CarPlay, 360° camera
• Longer warranty: Kia/Hyundai 7/5-year warranty may still be valid

Best Sedans and Wagons Under €15,000

Toyota Corolla XII (2019–2021) — €13,000–15,000

The twelfth-generation Corolla is one of the most reliable cars you can buy. The Hybrid version (1.8 or 2.0 Hybrid) is an absolute favourite in terms of fuel economy and reliability.

Why it's worth it:

• The hybrid engine requires virtually no maintenance — no turbo, no DPF, no complex gearbox
• In the city, it consumes 4–5 l/100 km in real conditions
• Toyota's reliability reputation is backed by statistics — fewest faults according to TÜV reports
• The wagon (Touring Sports) version is a great family alternative

What to watch out for:

• The hybrid battery may start to weaken after 150,000+ km (but replacement is relatively affordable)
• The base 1.2 Turbo petrol version is less reliable than the hybrid
• The infotainment system lags slightly behind competitors

Our verdict: If you're looking for a "buy it and forget it" car — this is it. More about Toyota reliability in our Toyota vs Volkswagen comparison.

Volkswagen Golf VIII (2020–2022) — €12,000–15,000

The eighth-generation Golf represents a technology leap with a new infotainment system and hybrid versions. For €15,000, you'll find well-equipped 1.0 TSI or 1.5 TSI variants.

Why it's worth it:

• Excellent driving comfort — segment leader
• 1.5 TSI (150 HP) — dynamic and economical (cylinder deactivation)
• The wagon (Variant) version has the largest boot in the segment
• Widely available parts and service in Lithuania

What to watch out for:

• Early 2020 models had many infotainment system bugs (updated later)
• DSG 7-speed gearbox — reliable, but expensive to repair if it fails
• 1.0 TSI — a bit weak on the motorway and with a full load

If you're deciding between automatic and manual gearbox, the Golf with DSG is one of the best automatics in this budget.

Škoda Octavia IV (2020–2022) — €11,000–14,000

The Octavia is a car built on the Golf platform with 25% more boot space and a 10% lower price. The fourth-generation Octavia offers excellent value for money.

Why it's worth it:

• Largest boot in its class: 600 l (wagon — 640 l!)
• Same VW Group engines and gearboxes
• Practical solutions: umbrella in the door, ice scraper in the fuel cap, double boot floor
• Price ~10–15% lower than an equivalent Golf

What to watch out for:

• Interior plastics are simpler than the Golf
• DSG and 1.0 TSI — same notes as for the Golf

More about this model: Škoda Octavia vs VW Golf.

Kia Ceed III / ProCeed (2019–2021) — €10,000–13,000

The third-generation Ceed is a real surprise. The Koreans have built a car that genuinely competes with the Golf — and with a 7-year warranty.

Why it's worth it:

• 7-year manufacturer warranty (2019 models are still covered until 2026!)
• 1.4 T-GDi (140 HP) — dynamic and economical
• ProCeed version — stylish "shooting brake" body
• Lower maintenance costs than VW Group

What to watch out for:

• DCT 7-speed gearbox not as smooth as VW's DSG
• Value drops faster than Toyota or VW
• Base equipment can be modest — check the specification

Best SUVs Under €15,000

Mazda CX-5 (Gen II, 2018–2020) — €13,000–15,000

The CX-5 is one of the most reliable SUVs on the market. The second-generation model offers a premium feel at a mainstream price.

Why it's worth it:

• Skyactiv engines — among the most reliable on the market (especially the 2.0 petrol)
• Premium interior with real leather and Bose sound
• Excellent driving dynamics for an SUV
• AWD system — reliable and efficient (ideal winter car)

What to watch out for:

• 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel — good, but DPF can cause issues in city driving
• Infotainment system without CarPlay (on early models)
• Boot is smaller than RAV4

Detailed guide: Mazda CX-5 buying guide.

Hyundai Tucson III (2019–2021) — €12,000–15,000

The third-generation Tucson is a modern, well-equipped SUV with a Korean 5-year warranty.

Why it's worth it:

• 5-year manufacturer warranty (valid until 2024–2026)
• 1.6 T-GDi (177 HP) — powerful and economical
• Great base equipment: LED, navigation, heated seats
• Spacious cabin and 513 l boot

What to watch out for:

• DCT 7-speed gearbox — occasionally judders at low speeds
• 1.6 CRDi diesel — DPF problems in the city
• Interior plastics not as high-quality as CX-5

More: Hyundai and Kia reliability.

Toyota RAV4 V Hybrid (2019–2020) — €14,000–15,000

The RAV4 is the world's most popular SUV, and the hybrid version is a true fuel-saving champion. For €15,000, you'll find early fifth-generation models.

Why it's worth it:

• Hybrid engine: 5–6 l/100 km in the city — for an SUV!
• Toyota reliability — minimal fault rates
• e-CVT gearbox — simpler and more reliable than traditional automatics
• AWD-i (hybrid all-wheel drive) — efficient and economical

What to watch out for:

• At €14–15k, you'll find models with higher mileage (100,000+ km)
• Base version lacks some luxury features
• CVT — not everyone likes the engine "droning" during acceleration

Detailed guide: Toyota RAV4 buying guide.

Hybrid Cars Under €15,000

A €15,000 budget is a great opportunity to buy a hybrid car that will save on fuel and reduce the pollution tax during car registration in Lithuania. The most popular hybrids in this budget:

More about hybrid benefits: Hybrid cars in Lithuania. See also our top hybrid cars 2026 for a detailed comparison of the best models.

Importing from Germany vs Buying in Lithuania

In the under-€15,000 budget, importing from Germany can still be worthwhile — especially if you're looking for a specific model or specification. Searching on mobile.de is the best way to find cars in Germany.

When importing is worth it:

• You're looking for a rarer model (e.g., Mazda CX-5 AWD with specific equipment)
• The equivalent car in Germany is €1,500–3,000 cheaper
• You want a full German service history (more thorough servicing)

When it's better to buy in Lithuania:

• Popular models (Golf, Octavia, Tucson) — the price difference is small
• You want warranty and after-sales service
• You have no experience with importing

Detailed import guide: Buying a car from Germany.

What to Check When Buying a Car Under €15,000?

Even when buying relatively new cars, an inspection is essential:

1. VIN history — start with the VIN decoder to decode factory data, then check for accidents, odometer rollback, or financial restrictions. Use our VIN check guide
2. Service history — 3–5-year-old cars should have a complete official service history
3. Remaining warranty — Kia (7 yr), Hyundai (5 yr), Toyota (3+2 yr) — verify it
4. DPF and turbo condition — if diesel, check DPF fill level with diagnostics
5. Gearbox condition — DSG/DCT: any vibration? Are shifts smooth?

Full inspection guide: How to inspect a used car.

Financing Options

For a €15,000 car, leasing can be an attractive alternative:

Approximate prices, 4.5% annual interest rate. Calculate the exact amount with the leasing calculator.

More about financing: Leasing vs buying.

Which Models to Avoid?

Not all cars under €15,000 are a good choice. These models are better avoided:

• BMW 3/5 Series (G20/G30) — in this budget, you'll only find high-mileage or post-accident examples. Expensive servicing
• Audi A4/A6 (B9/C8) — the same situation — premium cars with heavy wear
• Renault Megane (IV) with 1.2 TCe — turbo and engine problems (Renault reliability)
• Peugeot 308/3008 with 1.6 THP — timing chain and turbo problems
• Nissan Qashqai (J11) with CVT — questionable gearbox reliability

Our Recommendations by Needs