What are the best used cars to drive in Plymouth?

For the A38 Devon Expressway and Tamar Bridge commute:

A hybrid suits Plymouth's main routes well, where the A38 Devon Expressway carries the run east towards Exeter and the Tamar Bridge takes thousands of drivers across to Saltash each day, with congestion building reliably around Marsh Mills and Manadon. A car that runs efficiently in the slow queues at those junctions and uses less fuel once the carriageway opens up saves noticeably over a working week. On the test drive, check how cleanly the car pulls away from a standstill in stop-start traffic and how settled it feels holding a steady speed on the dual carriageway.

For the hills and roads towards Dartmoor:

A car with a turbocharged engine makes lighter work of Plymouth's hillier routes, where the ground rises steadily towards Roborough and the roads climbing north onto the edge of Dartmoor ask more of a car than the flatter coast does. A turbocharged engine produces more pulling power at lower speeds, so it handles a steep climb out of the city without straining or needing hard revving. On the test drive, try a hill start on an incline and check that the car pulls away smoothly and holds its pace comfortably as the road keeps rising.

For city centre parking:

A compact hatchback handles the city centre more easily than a larger car, where the council car parks around Western Approach, Derry's Cross, and the Guildhall fill quickly and the bays can feel tight on a busy day. A shorter car slips into those spaces and feels easier to place on the streets near the centre. On the test drive, reverse into a marked bay and check how clearly the camera shows the space behind you.

Why should I buy a used car in Plymouth from Vertu?

Honda Plymouth on Wolseley Road is your local Vertu base, and Renault Plymouth and Volvo Plymouth are also in the city, so you have plenty of stock to see in person or the option of home delivery to wherever you are based.

• Our 14-day money-back guarantee gives you time to make sure the car works for the commute, the hills, and your everyday Plymouth routine.

• We carry out a multi-point inspection on every used car before sale, so the key checks are done before the car reaches you.

• Verified history is confirmed on every vehicle, which removes the uncertainty that comes with buying privately.

• Online reservation with a refundable deposit lets you hold the right car while you sort the details of your purchase.

• Home delivery is available across Plymouth, so you don't need to make the trip in unless you want to.

• Our local teams can help you take a test drive that includes the A38, the hillier roads, and the city centre, so you can judge a car on the journeys you actually make.

That gives you a more reliable and better-protected route than buying privately, where inspections, history, and aftercare are entirely yours to manage.

Plymouth asks a lot of one car, from the daily A38 and Tamar Bridge run to the climbs towards Dartmoor and tight city parking, and we can help you weigh up those priorities before you commit.

If you're comparing second hand cars in Plymouth with options nearby, take a look at used cars across Devon, in Saltash, or in Ivybridge.

Can I buy a used car in Plymouth on finance?

Yes, you can buy a used car on finance in Plymouth with Vertu. Whether you want a hybrid for the A38 commute, a turbocharged car for the climbs towards Dartmoor, or a compact hatchback for the city centre, finance can help you spread the cost and choose a car that suits your whole week rather than just an upfront figure. Buying a used car on finance in Plymouth can also make it easier to step into a better specification, whether that means improved fuel economy for daily commuter miles or stronger pulling power for the hills. Options vary by the vehicle's age, mileage, and specification, so read our car finance explained page before you decide.

Used cars in Plymouth FAQs

Can I Part-Exchange my current car in Plymouth?

Yes, and you can start the valuation online before visiting our team or before your car is delivered. Head to our Part-Exchange page to get started, and we can talk through the figures with you as part of the overall purchase.

Can I book servicing after I buy a used car in Plymouth?

You can. Whether the car will be handling A38 commuting, hill driving, or city trips, our teams can help you arrange servicing. The Priority Service Plan is worth considering if you want routine costs to stay fixed and predictable across the year.

Where are Vertu's dealerships in Plymouth?

Honda Plymouth is on Wolseley Road, while Renault Plymouth and Dacia Plymouth share a site on Valley Road in Plympton, and Volvo Plymouth is on Oreston Road. Between them you have a wide range of used cars to see in person, and home delivery is available if you would rather buy online and have the car brought to you, with the same inspection, verified history, and 14-day guarantee applying either way.

Are there public EV charging points in Plymouth?

Yes, and the city is very well covered. The Connect Plymouth scheme has rapid and ultra-rapid chargers spread across dozens of locations, and InstaVolt operates rapid chargers a short drive from the A38. The George and Milehouse Park and Ride sites have fast and ultra-rapid chargers, and standard chargers are available across the council car parks. If you're considering an electric car, Plymouth's network is one of the more developed in the South West, with rapid options close to the main routes for quicker top-ups.

Do I need to think about Plymouth's hills when choosing a used car?

It's worth keeping in mind if your regular routes climb towards Roborough or head up onto the edge of Dartmoor, where a car with decent pulling power copes far better than a small, low-powered engine that has to work hard on the gradients. A turbocharged engine or a hybrid with strong low-speed response makes those climbs feel effortless, and effective brakes that stay confident on the descents matter just as much. If your driving stays closer to the flatter coast and city, this is less of a concern.

What should I check on a test drive around Plymouth?

Try to include a stretch of the A38 to judge how settled the car feels at speed, a hill start on one of the steeper roads to test how it pulls away on a gradient, and a reverse into a tight city-centre bay if you can. That combination reflects the main types of Plymouth driving and tells you far more about real-world comfort than a single loop near the dealership would.