Best used coupés for less than £10,000

'A cut-price Aston Martin' was how the Jaguar XK was described when new, but that's no bad thing. On the used market, this classy machine offers a multitude of bang for you buck – and we're not just talking about how the most affordable XK gets a sonorous 4.2-litre V8 with 300bhp. It also has a surprisingly generous boot, meaning you're all set for that road trip to the south of France. Admittedly, it won't be dirt cheap to run and you might have to shop around to get one within budget, but reliability is generally good. 

We found: 2007 Jaguar XK 4.2 V8, 75,500 miles, £10,990

Find a used Jaguar for sale here

Here's another coupé with a premium badge and a lot of luxury for not much money. Based on the Mercedes E-Class saloon, it adds style and sportiness without taking away too much practicality. It can seat four with relative ease – something not all rivals can pull off – while its boot space is praiseworthy. Combine that with great equipment levels, and the E-Class Coupé proves a delight to live with. It's a delight to drive, too, with a very comfortable ride. A varied (though not generally the most fuel-efficient) engine range helps make this one well-rounded machine.

We found: 2013 Mercedes E-Class Coupé E250 Sport, 67,000 miles, £9395

Find a used Mercedes E-Class Coupé for sale here

Cool, calm and sophisticated, the Audi A5 Sportback is about as easy to live with as coupés get. It doesn’t offer the thrills of the Jaguar XK, but it's a much more practical and cheaper-to-run alternative, with a huge range of four, six and eight-cylinder engines available in either petrol or diesel form. It’s even well equipped, with climate control, leather seats, automatic wipers and a decent stereo available. Classy coupés have never been so practical or reasonably priced.

We found 2012 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI SE, 65,400 miles, £9450

Find a used Audi A5 Sportback for sale here

Some of you might scream about the Mercedes CLS (and the Audi A5 Sportback for that matter) not being a proper coupé because it has too many doors. Well, the trend for blending coupé looks with saloon practicality was started by Mercedes for good reason: product planners realised that demand for both sectors was dwindling, so thought to combine the two. And that's what the CLS is – a magnificent blend of head and heart, with a swooping design that can cater for a modest family. It handles slightly better than the softer E-Class it's based on, and equipment levels are just as good.

We found: 2011 Mercedes CLS 350 CDI, 85,299 miles, £9981

Find a used Mercedes CLS for sale here

The BMW 1 Series Coupé isn't the largest big two-door you can get, but its relative lack of weight and rear-wheel drive layout give it remarkable driving talents. Later examples, including the 2013 one we found, feature BMW’s class-leading iDrive infotainment system. If gadgets aren't your thing, you'll be pleased to know that the interior has plenty of high-quality plastics to give it a classy feel, and the ergonomics are excellent, making it easy to get comfortable. There's also a great range of engines, and because this isn't a particularly heavy car, fuel economy and CO2 emissions tend to be low.

We found: 2013 BMW 1 Series Coupé 120i Exclusive Edition, 54,111 miles, £925o

Find a used BMW 1 Series for sale here

If you're looking for something a little easier on your wallet, why not the hybrid Honda CR-Z? Not only is it very reasonably priced used, but it also excels at sipping fuel and being very reliable. That’s not the end of the positives, because it's also good fun to drive. Unlike most hybrids, this one has a manual gearbox, with the electric motor assisting the little 1.5-litre petrol engine to give it a bit of extra power when needed. It isn’t the biggest or most practical coupé out there, but if it were bigger, it wouldn’t be as darty and entertaining to drive. This quirky coupé is an interesting alternative that will be painless to own.

We found: 2013 Honda CR-Z 1.5 IMA Sport, 36,848 miles, £9144

Find a used Honda for sale here

The Volkswagen Scirocco borrows heavily from the more practical Golf hatchback. It has a more rakish roofline to complement its more aggressive and sporty look, which has an impact on rear head room, but it remains a very practical car. There's a lovely neutrality to its handling, plenty of grip, pleasant steering and a comfortable ride. There's also a large choice of engines, from the frugal to the fast – both of which are desirable qualities in a practical coupé.

We found 2015 Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI Bluemotion Technology, 38,000 miles, £9500

Find a used Volkswagen Scirocco for sale here

As with the Volkswagen Scirocco, the Seat Leon SC has a lot in common with a five-door stablemate: it's a three-door version of the regular Leon. When it comes to style, the Leon SC gets a more rakish roofline, as well as a reduction in wheelbase that only slightly impacts overall practicality. FR Technology cars are well equipped and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine is punchy.

We found: 2017 Seat Leon SC 1.4 TSI 125 FR Technology, 85,813 miles, £9950

Find a used Seat Leon SC for sale here

Despite its somewhat conservative design, the BMW 3 Series Coupé's driving experience is anything but dull. It proves enjoyably dramatic and engaging to be behind the wheel of, especially when paired with one of the fantastic straight-six petrol engines available. It also has a suitably sporty ride, helping it to thrive as a capable back-road warrior without infringing too much on comfort and serenity. Speaking of which, it's easy to live with too, due to ample room for four people and praiseworthy practicality. 

We found 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupé 325i SE, 71,000 miles, £8299

Find a used BMW 3 Series for sale here

The Audi TT really hit its stride in its second generation. What you have here is a compact coupé with a strong sophisticated side that makes it a joy to live with. It's a class act of a fun, sporty car that won't be a burden because its buying and running costs are reasonable, and it gives you a useful amount of cargo room. Engine choices are plentiful, with a wide range petrol and diesel options, and there are lots of excellent examples on the used market. Few coupés are this accomplished, and that's why it's our number one. 

We found 2012 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI S Line, 46,600 miles, £9824

Find a used Audi TT for sale here