Don’t spend more than you have to – a £150 monthly budget is enough to get behind the wheel of some very impressive cars.
There's a good chance you spend more than £150 per month on TV subscriptions and takeaways – but what if we told you that you could get into a nearly new or used car for the same monthly cost?
Most of these cars won't only be affordable to buy, but they'll be cheap to run too, with small efficient engines bringing decent fuel economy and low insurance costs.
Small, affordable hatchbacks are what you’ll get for £150 per month with a 10% deposit – that’s what we’ve focused on – although if you’re happy to increase your deposit, a much wider selection of cars and SUVs becomes available.
Alternatively, if you’re a bit more flexible on the monthly payment but don’t have much deposit to put in, check out our cars available for £199 or less with no deposit.
Fiat 500
We start with one of the most characterful cars on the road. The Fiat 500 will brighten up any miserable commute with its chic styling, funky interior and zippy handling. There are plenty available for under £150 per month, so you can pick your perfect trim level and colour. We like the Lounge version, with its long equipment list including parking sensors and cruise control. Get one with the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid engine and you’ll be able to manage up to 57mpg.
Shop used Fiat 500 cars for sale or read our Fiat 500 review
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo is an honest, cheap-to-run city car that won’t leave you stranded by the side of the road. It’s a cheap car and it feels it, but the simplicity is refreshing. You still get a good spread of modern equipment – all but the very basic-est trim level get a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It won’t do you wrong if you need a cheap runabout with phone connectivity.
Shop used Toyota Aygo cars for sale or read our Toyota Aygo review
Citroen C1
The Citroen C1 is the sister car to the Aygo and the Peugeot 108, and offers the same qualities and low prices as its siblings. Most C1s get a touchscreen with the aforementioned phone mirroring, plus a reversing camera so you don’t scrape its tiny bum when parking. The C1 gets a couple of interesting trim options that aren’t offered on the Peugeot and Toyota, and an Urban Ride trim with SUV-like plastic wheel arches. For the urban jungle, of course. Insurance is cheap and it costs very little to fill up. Tyres and servicing are also dashingly affordable.
Shop used Citroen C1 cars for sale
Peugeot 108
Underneath, the Peugeot 108 is the same as the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo, but the dinky Peugeot manages to feel slightly more sophisticated than its siblings. It’s still cheap and cheerful inside, with durable materials and just enough tech to feel modern – there’s smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera, keeping you connected and helping you squeeze into the tightest parking spaces. All 108s come with a frugal 1.0-litre petrol engine, but there’s also the option of a ‘Top!’ version with a folding fabric roof.
Shop used Peugeot 108 cars for sale
Citroen C3
If the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo aren’t quite your cup of tea, check out the Citroen C3. It immediately looks a lot different to its rivals, with cuddly yet SUV-aping styling that includes some fun details. The onus is on comfort rather than sportiness, so it’ll appeal if you’re fed up with potholes and don’t ever try to drive your supermini like a supercar.
Shop used Citroen C3 cars for sale or read our Citroen C3 review
Renault Zoe
If you’re not up-to-date with used electric car prices, you might be gobsmacked to see an EV on this list. The Renault Zoe is the perfect electric car if you’re on a budget or want to experience electric driving without spending a fortune. It’s a proper car, too – it has space for four adults, a big boot and a usable official range that doesn’t keep you stuck in the city. Most recent Zoes offer 50kW fast-charging – we’d aim for one of these so you can top up to 80% charge in under an hour while you’re out and about. We’re not exaggerating when we say the Zoe costs just a few quid to fully charge. It’s hard to get modern motoring for less.
Shop used Renault Zoe cars for sale or read our Renault Zoe review
Skoda Citigo
The Skoda Citigo is an impressive feat of engineering. It’s really small and a doddle to park but still has a big-car feel with impressive stability at motorway speeds. Its small size helps it feel agile and fun when you stick it into a fast corner. It’s possible to see over 60mpg from the simple 1.0-litre engine. What’s more, the box-on-wheels look maximises practicality, with actual space for four adults and a deep boot that’ll swallow more than you might expect.
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Vauxhall Astra
Sneaking onto our list is the Vauxhall Astra, which is a good choice if you need a bit more space than the other cars on this list offer. There’s a diesel engine that’s capable of 60mpg – ideal if you’re doing semi-regular long drives and want to save fuel – and even cheaper Astras come with nice-to-haves like cruise control, auto lights and phone connectivity. For a bit of patriotic pride, this shape of Astra was built in Britain, too.
Shop used Vauxhall Astra cars for sale
MG ZS EV
Another electric car that can be on your driveway for less than a posh shirt is the MG ZS EV. Early ones feature a 163-mile range, and long journeys are possible thanks to fast charging that gets you back to 80% in 40 minutes. The ZS EV is the best version of the ZS, with a smooth, economical driving experience that’s worlds away from the wheezy 1.5 petrol. Like the Zoe, it’ll feel cheaper than walking if you can charge at home, while the ZS offers enough space for a growing family.
Shop used MG ZS EV cars for sale or read our MG ZS review
MG3
The MG3 led the charge when MG relaunched in the UK, and after more than a decade on sale it’s only just been replaced by the new MG 3 Hybrid. The outgoing 3 is one of the best-value MGs – it can be picked up for peanuts and still comes with space for four people, a rear-view camera and Apple CarPlay. Its 1.5-litre engine is fairly spritely for a car this size, too.
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