You can buy a cheap car easily. There are enough cheap used cars in the U.K. to fill a junkyard and indeed that’s where many of them belong. However if you are diligent in your car shopping and keep track of what you’ve seen and test driven, you can find a truly great car that is cheaply priced. Actually the word cheap, when referring to car prices, could be interchanged with reasonable or acceptable price. That nomenclature is due to the many overpriced cars you will come across in your search for a good reasonably priced pre-owned car.
Some dealers mark up their used cars to an extraordinary price so they can appear friendly by knocking off a few pounds when you start to negotiate. While that is a bit deceptive, most dealers expect you to haggle about the actual price and they are just building in a reserve to work with, never intending to actually get the inflated price that is asked. Some do, and they stick to that high price unless they can take away in other areas like the warranty or some specific guarantee.
A car that is 2000 pounds that you can have for only 1000 pounds if you buy it as is probably needs about 1000 pounds in repair costs or it will shortly after you drive it from the lot. Be suspicious of deep instant discounts. Car shopping at an honest reputable dealer can be fun especially if their inventory of the type car you want is large and shown well. Just make sure you have your eyes and ears open and your wallet closed until you are sure you have bought a car for a cheap price and not a cheap car at any price.