Best Budget Project Cars You Might’ve Missed!

With summer well and truly over, you might be looking for something to keep you busy through the colder months. In this article, we’ve picked out some of the best budget project cars that won’t break the bank, ideal for anyone keen to get stuck into a rewarding restoration or rebuild.

What should I look for in a great project car?

Your best bet is to choose a car with a strong enthusiast following. Being able to ask for help on well-populated forums, Facebook groups or other social channels can save you hours of guesswork. It’s far easier to solve problems when there’s a community ready with advice, wiring diagrams, or parts tips.

We’d also recommend older, more mechanical vehicles. Newer models often rely on diagnostics and specialist tools that can be costly or hard to access without the right training.

What about parts?

Stick to models with solid parts availability. Whether it’s original or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, the easier something is to source, the quicker your project will progress. If you’re hunting for used parts or planning to break a vehicle, don’t forget to check out our sister company, U-Pull-It.

• Everything you need to know, all in one place: Copart Support Centre.

Specialising in self-service parts removal, it offers a cost-effective way to source used parts across a wide range of makes and models.

What cars do we recommend?

We’ve picked five great options for a beginner-friendly project car that are well worth looking out for in our auctions.

BMW E46 3 Series – Rear Wheel-Drive Bavarian Beast

A strong choice for project car buyers, the E46 combines rear-wheel drive with solid build quality and widespread parts availability. With a huge following, if you buy a 3-Series, you'll have no shortage of fellow enthusiasts available to help you. Being a European giant, it's not going to be hard to find the parts you need to fix one of these up. The 323i and 325i models are particularly popular for their 2.5-litre straight-six engines. They’re smooth, responsive, and well-supported by UK specialists. Whether you’re planning a light restoration or a more involved build, there’s plenty of community knowledge and aftermarket support to help.

• Search Copart for BMW 3 Series

Mazda MX-5 (NA/NB) – The Original Lightweight Hero

The MX-5 is a firm favourite among project car buyers, and for good reason. Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and mechanically simple, it’s an ideal base for anything from a light restoration to a dedicated track car. Earlier NA and NB models are easy to work on, with excellent UK parts availability and a huge online following to back you up. Rust is the biggest thing to watch for with these, especially around the sills and arches. Thankfully, panels and repair sections are readily available across the UK. 

• See MX-5s available in our online auctions

Peugeot 205 – French Pocket-Rocket, Turned Future Classic

The Peugeot 205 is fast becoming a future classic, and a rewarding project for anyone into lightweight, retro motoring. GTI models are the most desirable, but even lower-spec versions offer bags of character and a solid platform to learn on. The simplicity of its mechanicals and the availability of parts make it a great starting point, particularly if you’re after a retro daily or Sunday car. You'll likely see these at your local car club, or even motorshows, as a rally car. 

• Check our listings for Peugeot 205s

Honda Civic (1990s–early 2000s) – The Bulletproof Japanese Hot-Hatch

Old-school Civics are some of the most modifiable and reliable small cars you can buy. Models from the 1990s and early 2000s—especially the EK and EG hatchbacks—are ideal for performance builds or basic restorations. VTEC engines, strong aftermarket support, and a huge JDM scene in the UK make this a smart and versatile choice. If you're looking to spice things up, we recommend the Type-R models - but beware the tax - it's not as cheap as it used to be.

• Find a Civic project in our auction listings

Volkswagen Golf Mk4 – The Reliable All-Rounder

The Golf Mk4 is a popular base for a wide range of projects—from sleeper restorations to budget hot hatches. It has that more premium feel than those of it's rivals, and its durable 1.9 TDI and 1.8/1.8T petrol engines are well-regarded, with parts being plentiful both new and used. Like the 3-Series, the Golf benefits from a large tuning community and numerous aftermarket support channels. Use our Virtual Vehicle Viewing service to check for rust in common areas like the rear arches and sills, but replacement panels are easy to find. 

• Browse Golf project cars in Copart auctions now

Whether you’re planning a full restoration or just want a fun winter garage project, Copart UK has hundreds of vehicles ready for bidding. Start your search on our Vehicle Finder today.