Top used cars – economical & budget friendly 

The word on everyone’s lips at the moment is economy. Doing more for less. Making do with what you have.

But what if your old car is kaput? You still need to look for a used cars for sale in order to get around and perform basic tasks.

The good news here is that while headlines about used car prices going crazy are true in some circumstances, there are still plenty of bargains to be had on the UK market.

A few years ago this list would have consisted of diesels. But now petrol makes more sense. They’re often cheaper to maintain (no dpf filter) and then there are local emissions costs such as the ULEZ. You’ll need a newer, and ultimately more expensive, diesel to dodge them. 

With that in mind, below we’ve written a list. But before diving in, we have some explaining to do. We’ve kept the budget at £3,000? Why? Many used cars for less than £2,000 now are likely to need expensive maintenance or consumables within the first few months of ownership so we recommend spending more up front for a clean car from a reputable dealer, with a warranty. Prices for these models are generally between £2,500 and £3,000.

Ford Fiesta (2008-2017)

You will have heard of the Fiesta. For years it was the bestselling car in the UK because it’s cheap to run, reliable, and genuinely fun to drive.

Its bestselling moniker now means there are thousands out there on the market waiting to be snapped up. Plus, because of its popularity, most independent garages know how to fix and maintain them.

Toyota Yaris (2006-2011)

The Yaris didn’t sell as well as the Ford Fiesta, which means they might be a bit harder to find. But casting your net far and wide will reward you in an economical car that’s built like a tank.

Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability, one that the Japanese company has earned thanks to cars such as the Toyota Yaris, that last and last assuming they’re maintained properly.

Skoda Fabia Estate (2008-2014)

Shove a practical estate boot onto a reliable supermini and you’ll get one of the most pragmatic cars around.

The bootspace means it’s family friendly, while the relatively short wheelbase means it’s easy to park. The 1.2-litre petrol is ULEZ exempt, but if that doesn’t bother you the 1.6-litre diesel is the most economical.

Hyundai i10 (2007-2013)

The tiddliest car on this list has the least amount of kit. But this also means there’s less to go wrong.

And while the size means it’s not as practical as a Ford Fiesta, it also ultimately means the engine has less to cart around, improving economy. Long warranties mean you’re more likely to find a well maintained one too.

Vauxhall Corsa (2014-2019)

Like with the Fiesta above, so many of the Corsas were sold in the UK that you’re practically falling over them when it comes to car shopping.

Things to look out for include failing rear wheel bearings and baggy gear change linkages.