Best used cars for towing: what you need to know before buying in 2026

Towing is one of the most technically demanding things you can ask a used car to do. A car that is perfectly adequate for daily driving can become unstable, strained, or legally non-compliant when a loaded caravan or horsebox is attached. Buying a used car specifically for towing — or checking whether a car you already like is genuinely capable — requires understanding a set of figures and calculations that are not always clearly explained in listings or dealer showrooms.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to read towing capacity ratings, the crucial calculations that govern safe towing, what the law requires for towbars and mirrors, and which used models consistently perform best for real-world towing in 2026.

Understanding towing capacity ratings

Every car has a manufacturer-stated maximum towing capacity. This figure appears in the owner’s handbook, on the VIN plate, and is usually listed in the car’s technical specifications. It comes in two forms: braked trailer capacity and unbraked trailer capacity, and the two figures are very different.

The unbraked trailer limit is the maximum weight of a trailer that has no independent braking system. UK law sets this at 750kg. This covers very small trailers, bike trailers, and light camping trailers.

The braked trailer limit is the maximum weight of a trailer fitted with its own braking system — one that is electronically connected to the car’s braking. This is the number that matters for caravans, horseboxes, boat trailers, and any trailer over 750kg when loaded. For most family SUVs this figure sits between 1,500kg and 2,500kg; for full-size Land Rovers, BMW X5s, and Range Rovers it can reach 3,500kg.

Critically, the braked trailer limit is the weight of the fully loaded trailer — not the empty trailer. A caravan’s Mass in Running Order (MiRO) is its empty weight; its Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) is the maximum it can legally weigh when loaded with your belongings. It is the MTPLM that must stay within your car’s braked towing limit.

The 85% rule: why the legal maximum is not the practical maximum

A car’s legal towing limit and its safe towing limit are not the same thing. Both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club recommend that the weight of your caravan or trailer does not exceed 85% of your car’s kerbweight. This is not a legal requirement — it is a stability guideline, but it is one that experienced towers follow closely.

Kerbweight is the weight of the car as manufactured, with all fluids topped up, but without passengers or luggage. The 85% calculation is straightforward: multiply the car’s kerbweight by 0.85 to get the recommended maximum trailer weight. A car with a kerbweight of 1,800kg has a recommended maximum caravan weight of 1,530kg under the 85% guideline, regardless of whether the car’s manufacturer-stated towing limit is higher.

The reason for this guideline is physical: a trailer that is close to or exceeds the weight of the towing vehicle is more likely to initiate a snaking or swaying motion that the car cannot control. This ‘tail wagging the dog’ instability can escalate into a serious accident, particularly at motorway speeds or in crosswinds. The heavier the towing vehicle relative to the trailer, the more stable the combination.

SUVs are well-suited to towing partly for this reason: their higher kerbweights mean the 85% guideline allows for a heavier trailer before the safety margin is breached. A Skoda Superb Estate weighing 1,670kg has an 85% figure of 1,420kg. A Land Rover Discovery weighing 2,200kg has an 85% figure of 1,870kg. Both may be rated to tow more than these figures, but staying within the guideline provides a meaningful safety buffer.

Noseweight: the overlooked number

Alongside the maximum towing capacity and the 85% rule, noseweight is a third figure that many buyers overlook. Noseweight is the downward force that the loaded trailer exerts on the car’s tow ball. Too little noseweight and the trailer’s rear will be heavier than its front, creating an unstable pendulum effect. Too much and the car’s rear axle will be overloaded, degrading steering and braking.

By law, the minimum noseweight for a trailer is 4% of its total weight. In practice, experienced towers aim for 7–10% of the loaded trailer weight on the nose. Every car also has a maximum noseweight limit stated in its handbook — typically between 50kg and 150kg on family cars, and higher on purpose-built tow vehicles. This figure is separate from the towing capacity and must not be exceeded.

Noseweight is checked using a simple jockey wheel gauge, which costs around £15–20. It is worth measuring your loaded combination before every long tow, because small changes in how the caravan or trailer is loaded can shift the noseweight significantly.

Diesel vs petrol vs hybrid for towing

The engine matters as much as the maximum towing figure. A car rated to tow 2,000kg with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine will reach that limit far less comfortably than a car rated to the same figure with a 2.0-litre diesel. The diesel’s advantage is torque — the twisting force the engine produces, measured in Nm, which determines how easily it can accelerate from low speeds under load, climb gradients, and maintain motorway speeds without the engine working at maximum effort.

Large-displacement diesel engines remain the most capable and the most relaxed tow vehicles in real-world use. A 3.0-litre diesel in a Land Rover Discovery or BMW X5 barely registers a two-tonne caravan. The same car with a smaller engine may achieve the same rated capacity but will work considerably harder to do it, with higher fuel consumption and more mechanical stress over time.

Modern hybrid SUVs offer strong towing credentials, particularly at lower speeds. The instant torque of an electric motor assists hill starts and low-speed manoeuvring effectively. However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems are often rated to lower towing limits than their diesel equivalents — the Ford Kuga PHEV is rated to 2,100kg, which matches older diesel versions, but many PHEVs fall below their diesel counterparts. Check the specific engine variant’s towing limit, not just the model’s headline figure.

Pure electric vehicles can tow, but with significant caveats. Range drops sharply with a trailer attached — as a rule of thumb, expect to halve the stated range when towing at motorway speeds. The BMW iX is one of the better used EV options for towing, with a 2,500kg capacity and a large battery, but even it will require significantly more frequent charging stops on a long caravanning journey than a diesel equivalent.

The best used cars for towing in 2026

Land Rover Discovery (2017–present) — up to 3,500kg

For buyers who need maximum towing capacity and genuine off-road ability, the current-generation Land Rover Discovery remains the definitive choice. Most versions — including the 2.0-litre diesel — are rated to 3,500kg, the legal maximum for a passenger car. The Discovery’s kerbweight of approximately 2,200kg means its 85% figure of 1,870kg comfortably covers the majority of UK caravans and large horseboxes.

The Discovery’s air suspension is a genuine advantage for towing — it maintains a level ride height regardless of the trailer’s noseweight, and the self-levelling behaviour reduces the pitching that affects conventional springs when a heavy trailer is attached. Seven seats, a large boot, and Terrain Response allow it to connect a horsebox in a muddy field with confidence.

Running costs are the primary caveat. The Discovery drinks fuel, and that is considerably worse with a heavy trailer attached. Reliability concerns have historically been associated with the brand, though the current generation has a better record than older models. Budget for servicing and be thorough when checking service history.

Best version for towing: SD6 3.0-litre diesel. Towing capacity: 3,500kg braked. Used price range: approximately £22,000–£45,000 depending on age and mileage.

BMW X5 (2018–present) — up to 3,500kg

The BMW X5 combines maximum towing capacity with premium refinement and a more reliable ownership proposition than the Discovery. The 30d and 40d diesel engines are genuinely excellent tow vehicles — powerful, torquey, and extraordinarily composed under load. A full 3,500kg towing capacity on the diesel variants and a kerbweight of around 2,100kg gives an 85% figure of approximately 1,785kg.

The X5 is also available with BMW’s Trailer Stability Control and optional Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, which uses cameras and steering intervention to help reverse with a trailer attached. For regular towers who want a premium daily car that is also genuinely capable, the X5 is the strongest overall package in the full-size SUV class.

Best version for towing: xDrive30d or xDrive40d. Towing capacity: 3,500kg braked. Used price range: approximately £28,000–£60,000.

Skoda Superb Estate — up to 2,200kg

The Superb Estate is the best argument for not buying an SUV for towing. It is long, stable, spacious, considerably cheaper to buy and run than an X5 or Discovery, and the four-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI DSG version is rated to 2,200kg — more than enough for the majority of UK caravans. Its low centre of gravity and 4.9-metre length give it exceptional directional stability under load, and the auto gearbox makes repeated hill starts in awkward places far less stressful.

Auto Express awarded the Volkswagen Passat Estate its 2026 Towcar of the Year overall prize — the Superb shares almost identical underpinnings and in many tests betters the Passat for stability and refinement at speed. For buyers who tow regularly and want a practical, economical everyday car rather than an SUV, the Superb Estate is the smartest used buy in the towing market.

Best version for towing: 2.0 TDI 4x4 DSG. Towing capacity: 2,200kg braked. Used price range: approximately £15,000–£30,000.

Kia Sorento (2.2 CRDi) — up to 2,500kg

The Kia Sorento with the 2.2-litre diesel engine offers 2,500kg towing capacity with the added benefit of Kia’s seven-year manufacturer warranty on newer examples. Seven seats, a practical interior, and strong residuals make it one of the most well-rounded used tow vehicles available. It is notably better value than equivalent Land Rover or BMW product and significantly more reliable in service.

The diesel Sorento is now harder to find as Kia has moved subsequent versions toward hybrid powertrains. This makes clean, well-maintained diesel examples increasingly desirable on the used market. If you find one with full service history and reasonable mileage, it is difficult to argue against at its current used prices.

Best version for towing: 2.2 CRDi AWD automatic. Towing capacity: 2,500kg braked. Used price range: approximately £12,000–£25,000.

Toyota Land Cruiser — up to 3,500kg

The Land Cruiser is the choice for buyers who want maximum towing capacity, genuine off-road ability, and the reliability record of a Toyota. The 2.8-litre diesel produces 500Nm of torque and barely notices a fully loaded 3,500kg trailer. Its older-school approach — fewer digital systems, a simpler chassis concept — makes it considerably more reliable than European equivalents.

The Land Cruiser is typically more expensive on the used market than its age suggests, because demand from agricultural and commercial users keeps residuals high. This also means examples are often well-maintained and genuinely worked hard, which makes a thorough inspection and full service history check essential.

Best version for towing: 2.8 D-4D automatic. Towing capacity: 3,500kg braked. Used price range: approximately £25,000–£55,000.

Volvo XC90 — up to 2,700kg

The Volvo XC90 offers 2,700kg towing capacity on the D5 diesel variant, with an air suspension option that provides the same self-levelling benefit as the Land Rover Discovery. It is a genuinely luxurious used car with exceptional safety credentials, and the towing ability is often underappreciated. The D5 PowerPulse diesel is the variant to seek out for maximum pulling power.

The plug-in hybrid T8 version offers a 2,400kg towing limit and strong low-speed torque, making it a viable option for buyers who want electric running in daily use with full towing capability for touring. Older XC90s with higher mileage can be expensive to maintain, so prioritising examples with full dealer service history is particularly important on this model.

Best version for towing: D5 AWD automatic. Towing capacity: 2,700kg braked. Used price range: approximately £18,000–£40,000.

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Towbar types and legal requirements

A towbar fitted to a car registered after 1 August 1998 must be type-approved under European Directive 94/20/EC. This means it must have been tested and certified for use on that specific vehicle — a universal towbar is not legally acceptable. Aftermarket towbars from reputable suppliers (Witter, Westfalia, Tow Trust, PCT) are type-approved for specific vehicles; the approval certificate and vehicle-specific fitting instructions should be included with any professionally fitted towbar.

Towbars come in three configurations: fixed (the ball is always visible), detachable (the ball is removed when not towing, which matters if it would otherwise partially obscure the number plate), and electrically deployable (the towbar extends and retracts automatically). The condition of the towbar, including the electrical socket, is now inspected during the annual MOT. If a towbar is in poor condition or not correctly fitted, the car may fail.

When buying a used car that already has a towbar fitted, ask for documentation confirming it is type-approved and professionally fitted. An unapproved towbar is not only illegal but could void your insurance in the event of an incident while towing.

There are two standard electrical connections: a 7-pin plug (the older standard, used for basic lighting) and a 13-pin plug (the current standard, which adds power for the caravan’s battery, reversing lights, and additional functions). Most modern caravans and trailers use 13-pin connections. If the car has a 7-pin socket and your trailer requires 13-pin, an adapter is available, but having the appropriate socket fitted is cleaner and more reliable.

Towing mirrors: when are they legally required?

If your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your towing vehicle, you are legally required to fit towing mirrors. This is not optional or advisory — GOV.UK states that you can be fined up to £1,000 and receive 3 penalty points on your licence for towing without proper towing mirrors when they are required.

Most modern caravans are wider than even large SUVs, so towing mirrors are required in the majority of caravan towing situations. Clip-on towing mirrors cost £20–60 and attach to your existing door mirrors to extend the field of vision. They must give you a clear view of the road behind and alongside the trailer. Towing mirrors are removed when not towing — driving with extended mirrors unnecessarily is also an offence.

Speed limits when towing

Speed limits are lower when towing a trailer. The limits in the UK are 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways (not 70mph), 50mph on single carriageways (not 60mph), and 30mph in built-up areas, which is unchanged. These lower limits apply to any car towing any trailer or caravan. Exceeding the towing speed limits can result in a fixed penalty notice.

Licence requirements

If you passed your driving test from January 1997 onwards, your standard category B licence allows you to tow a trailer up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) providing the combined weight of the car and trailer does not exceed 3,500kg plus 750kg. In practice, this means a standard licence covers most family car and caravan combinations. If the total combination weight exceeds this, a category B+E licence is required, which involves an additional test.

Learner drivers are not permitted to drive while towing a caravan or trailer.

Find a capable used tow vehicle at Carsa

Carsa regularly stocks a wide selection of used SUVs and estates from the makes and models featured in this guide, all priced on average £700 below market value with a 90-day warranty included. Every car is inspected and prepared before sale. Finance is available from 10.9% APR representative. Carsa is a credit broker, not a lender.

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