The honest guide to buying a used car for towing in the UK. Towing capacities, what to check, and the best used cars for caravans, horse boxes, and trailers.
Towing is the most engineering-demanding thing most cars are ever asked to do. You're adding mass to the rear, changing the vehicle's dynamics, increasing brake distances, and putting your transmission and cooling under sustained heavy load. Getting the car choice right matters significantly more than it does for ordinary use.
The UK caravan and trailer market is substantial — millions of families and businesses tow regularly — and the used market for tow cars reflects this. There are excellent used tow cars at sensible prices. Here's what to buy and what to check.
Before viewing any used tow car, run its history through our Check a Car tool — heavy-use vehicles accumulate problems that show in the MOT history.
Know your trailer weight. For a caravan, this is the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) on the VIN plate. For a horsebox or boat trailer, weigh it loaded. Your car's towing capacity must exceed this.
The 85% guideline. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends trailer weight doesn't exceed 85% of the car's kerb weight. This is about stability — a heavy caravan can "wag" a light car, which is dangerous. Always confirm the specific towing capacity in the car's V5 or owner's manual (not just what's published online — there are often spec-level variations).
Nose weight. The caravan or trailer's A-frame should load the towbar at 50-100kg (check your specific car's limit). Too little nose weight means an unstable trailer; too much overloads the tow hitch and rear axle.
Transmission heat. Towing generates significant heat in automatic gearboxes. Regular transmission fluid changes are essential — more important on tow cars than standard cars. Any used tow car must show evidence of transmission maintenance.
The Volvo V70 and XC70 are the definitive mid-range tow cars. Volvo's estate platform is long, heavy, and mechanically well-suited to towing — the kerb weight of around 1,700kg means the 85% guideline allows you to tow up to 1,445kg safely. The recommended towball download limit is 100kg.
Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg braked trailer (engine-dependent).
What to check: The D5 diesel (2.4-litre five-cylinder) is the towing engine of choice — strong torque from low revs, well-proven. Check the timing belt history — the D5 uses a belt that must be changed every 5 years or 100,000 miles. Automatic gearbox fluid history is critical on tow cars.
MOT watch: Front lower arm bushes, rear suspension component wear (accelerated on tow cars), and check the towbar mounting points for any stress or distortion.
The towing case: The V70's long wheelbase and heavy kerb weight make it inherently more stable with a trailer than a compact estate. If you regularly tow a touring caravan, the V70's dynamics make it significantly easier than many alternatives.
The F-series 5 Series is a capable, refined tow car at the upper end of this budget. The 520d is the sweet spot — strong torque (190bhp, 400Nm), a kerb weight of around 1,650kg, and a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg braked.
Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg braked (engine-dependent).
What to check: The N47 engine caution applies here to pre-2012 F10 cars — check the timing chain history (see our cars to avoid guide for context). The 520d post-2012 with the revised engine is significantly more reliable. Air suspension on some variants — check it raises correctly and listen for compressor wear.
MOT watch: Front control arm bushes (expensive on BMW), rear subframe components. Check towbar area for any sign of stress or amateur installation.
Running costs: Premium car, premium costs. Servicing, parts, and tyres all cost more than a Volvo or Skoda equivalent. The driving experience and refinement are genuinely better, but be honest about your budget for ongoing costs.
The Octavia Scout is the unsung hero of the used tow car market. It's essentially a standard Octavia Estate with raised suspension, 4WD, underbody protection, and a specific tow preparation package from the factory. 2,000kg towing capacity on the 2.0 TDI 4x4 variants, in a VW Group platform at prices well below a comparable Passat or Tiguan.
Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg braked.
What to check: DSG gearbox fluid history (critical on a tow car — this fluid takes more heat). The 4WD Haldex coupling fluid must also have been changed on schedule. Check the towbar mounting and any signs of regular towing use — a well-maintained tow car is fine; an abused one is not.
MOT watch: Rear suspension component wear (elevated on tow cars), front lower arm bushes (VW Group pattern), rear beam on standard Estate variants.
Value: A 2015-2016 Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI at £9,000-11,000 is outstanding value for an estate with genuine 4WD, 2,000kg towing capacity, and VW Group mechanicals. Compare to a Tiguan at £13,000-14,000 for less practical space.
For heavier towing — large horseboxes, heavy boat trailers, farm trailers — a pickup truck is the right tool. The Ranger Mk5 is a credible choice: 3,500kg braked towing capacity on 2WD and 4WD variants with the 2.2 TDCI or 3.2 TDCI engines, and a proper body-on-frame construction that handles towing loads better than a car platform.
Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg braked (3.2 TDCI).
What to check: The 2.2 TDCI is the more common engine and reliable for the mileage. The 3.2 TDCI five-cylinder is the towing powerhouse — check for any injector work or turbo issues on high-mileage examples. Four-wheel drive engagement (low range, high range) should be tested. Any off-road use in the history — check underbody carefully for damage.
MOT watch: Rear leaf spring wear and condition (common on pickup trucks), front strut tops, and towbar area.
Running cost reality: Pickup trucks are not economical. Real-world fuel economy from the 2.2 TDCI is 30-35mpg, worse if towing. Insurance and road tax are slightly different to cars. These are working vehicles — if you regularly tow 3,000kg+, the Ranger is the right tool regardless of economy.
The Passat B8 is a thoroughly competent large estate with a 2,000kg towing capacity in 2.0 TDI form. It's not as distinctive as the Volvo nor as cheap as the Octavia, but it offers VW quality, a genuine 650-litre boot, and refined motorway manners for long towing trips.
Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg braked.
What to check: B8 Passat with 2.0 TDI uses the EA288 engine — significantly more reliable than the earlier EA189 generation. DSG gearbox fluid history. Check the towbar wiring harness is properly integrated (not a cobbled-together aftermarket job).
MOT watch: Front suspension wear items, rear suspension at higher mileages. The B8 is newer than the B7, so serious issues are less common at typical used mileages.
For maximum towing capacity with proper off-road ability, the Discovery Mk4 is the serious pick. 3,500kg towing capacity, adjustable air suspension that raises for towing, and a platform that has been doing this work for decades.
Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg braked.
What to check: Read our cars to avoid guide first — Land Rover reliability and running costs are real considerations. The 3.0 TDV6 diesel is the powertrain to focus on — check for any timing chain related work. Air suspension must work correctly (compressor failure is common). Haldex coupling fluid changes for 4WD variants.
Running costs: High. Land Rover servicing, parts, and the complexity of the air suspension all add up. A Discovery Mk4 that needs suspension work is a £1,500-3,000 bill.
The case for it: If you genuinely need 3,500kg towing capacity with off-road ability (equestrian use, farming), the Discovery Mk4 is purpose-built for this. Buy one with verifiable full service history and prepare to pay for the privilege.
The 120-series Land Cruiser is the alternative to the Land Rover Discovery for serious towing — similar towing capacity (3,500kg), significantly better reliability, and lower running costs. The 3.0 D-4D diesel is proven over extraordinary mileages.
Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg braked.
What to check: High mileage is normal and acceptable on a Land Cruiser — 150,000+ mile examples are common and still viable if the service history is clean. Check the rear suspension specifically for corrosion on older examples. Confirm the EGR and injectors are clean on high-mileage diesel variants.
MOT watch: Rear suspension corrosion on older examples, front lower arm bushes, and exhaust system. Generally clean for Toyota.
The reliability argument: Toyota Land Cruiser 120 owners often run them to 200,000+ miles without major issues. For a tow car that works hard, reliability matters especially. The Land Cruiser's reputation is earned.
The L200 Mk5 is the alternative pickup truck choice — 3,100kg towing capacity, a bed that fits a quad bike or full load of materials, and Mitsubishi's reliability record. It's less popular than the Ford Ranger but offers excellent value.
Towing capacity: up to 3,100kg braked.
What to check: The 2.4 MIVEC diesel is a new generation engine — generally reliable but check for any DPF or EGR issues on city-use examples. The dual-clutch automatic on Barbarian spec variants — check for smooth low-speed engagement.
MOT watch: Rear leaf springs and mounts, towbar area condition. Pickup-specific checks for any off-road damage to underbody.
vs. Ranger: The Ranger has more power and a more refined interior. The L200 is slightly more agricultural in feel but reliable and often £1,000-2,000 cheaper for the same mileage.
Towbar installation quality. Was it factory-fitted or aftermarket? Factory towbars and wiring are integrated into the car's CAN bus. Amateur aftermarket installations can cause electrical issues and aren't always type-approved. Check for a plate on the towbar showing it's type-approved to EU directive 94/20/EC.
Rear suspension condition. Towing puts sustained load on the rear suspension. Check for wear, corrosion, and any sagging. Rear shock absorbers wear faster on tow cars — test the car unladen for any wallowing or poor body control.
Automatic transmission condition. Towing heats up automatic gearboxes significantly. If the service history doesn't show transmission fluid changes, budget for one — and question what else may have been overlooked.
Cooling system condition. Sustained towing generates more heat. Check coolant level, coolant age (should be changed every 3-5 years), and look for any signs of overheating in the history.
Trailer socket and wiring. Plug your trailer's socket in (or a test light) and check all seven pins work. Faulty trailer wiring is an MOT failure if lights aren't functioning correctly.
Buying a car with the right towing capacity on paper but the wrong build for the job. A Ford Focus has a 1,200kg towing capacity — technically correct for a small trailer. It is not a comfortable or stable car for regularly towing 1,100kg. Towing capacity is the minimum requirement; suitable build and weight is the full picture.
Ignoring transmission history. This is the single most commonly neglected item on used tow cars. Automatic gearbox fluid changes are critical on any vehicle used for towing. If you can't verify this has been done, factor in the cost.
Underestimating ongoing costs on premium tow cars. A used BMW or Land Rover tow car may have the right specs but the running costs on a high-mileage towing vehicle are significant. Be realistic.
| Car | Max Towing (kg) | Reliability | Running Costs | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo V70/XC70 Mk3 | 2,000 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Caravan, large trailer |
| BMW 5 Series F11 | 2,000 | 4/5 | 2/5 | Caravan, premium use |
| Skoda Octavia Scout Mk3 | 2,000 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Caravan, value pick |
| Ford Ranger Mk5 | 3,500 | 4/5 | 2/5 | Heavy trailer, horsebox |
| VW Passat B8 Estate | 2,000 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Caravan, family towing |
| Land Rover Discovery Mk4 | 3,500 | 2/5 | 1/5 | Heavy/off-road towing |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 120 | 3,500 | 5/5 | 3/5 | Heavy, reliable towing |
| Mitsubishi L200 Mk5 | 3,100 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Pickup towing |
The Volvo V70/XC70, Skoda Octavia Scout, and BMW 5 Series Touring are excellent caravan tow cars. For heavier caravan loads, the Volvo and Toyota Land Cruiser offer the best stability and reliability combination.
Most UK touring caravans weigh 1,200-1,600kg loaded. A car with at least 1,800kg towing capacity gives safe headroom alongside the 85% rule. Check your specific caravan's MTPLM and the specific car spec for its rated capacity.
Towbar installation quality (type-approved), transmission fluid history (critical), rear suspension condition, cooling system, trailer socket function, and the full MOT and service history. Check via our tool before viewing.
Modern torque-converter automatics handle sustained towing well. Dual-clutch automatics (DSG, Powershift) are less ideal for heavy sustained towing due to heat generation. Manual gearboxes are reliable but require more skill on hills.
A safety guideline (not a legal limit) recommending caravan weight doesn't exceed 85% of the car's kerbweight. This gives a stability margin and is endorsed by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you are limited to 750kg trailer total weight without a B+E test. Most caravans exceed this — a B+E test is required for drivers in this category to tow a typical touring caravan legally.