All fuel-powered cars produce emissions directly from their exhausts. Reducing those emissions can help improve air quality and lessen your impact on the climate. Here are our 10 favourite low-emission cars – all available to buy nearly new.
We've chosen some of the cleanest cars on sale that are still powered by engines and don't need plugging in. These are ideal if you're not ready or able to make the switch to a fully electric car, but still want to cut the greenhouse gas emissions from carting you and your family about.
Every car on this list can be driven in any UK city that has a clean-air zone (CAZ) free of charge. Plus, they can all enter London's ULEZ area without payment.
BMW 1 Series – 120g/km CO2
The BMW 1 Series is the smallest car the brand makes. Thanks to sharing hardware with Mini models, however, it has all the handling and performance you'd expect from a car with a BMW badge. There's a selection of smooth, powerful petrol engines with low carbon emissions that are great for mixed driving, but it's the diesel engines that have the cleanest CO2 emissions, putting out as little as 120g/km. They also have a healthy slug of low-down torque, helping get the 1 Series up to pace without feeling strained. The latest 1 Series has just landed without diesel options for the first time so, for now, a used diesel example is the lowest CO2 option.
Browse used BMW 1 Series cars or read our full BMW 1 Series review
Ford Focus Estate – 93g/km CO2
Many family cars have abandoned diesel power altogether, but you can still find the excellent Ford Focus Estate equipped with the penny-pinching 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel. This 120hp unit won't win any drag races but has enough power to propel you, your passengers and your cargo up to motorway speeds without a fuss. Avoid the far end of the accelerator pedal and you'll see sky-high mpg figures and CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km of CO2.
Browse used Ford Focus Estate cars
Audi A4 – 106g/km CO2
The Audi A4 walks a thin line somewhere between the slightly softer Mercedes C-Class and the firmer but sportier BMW 3 Series. For you, that might make it the best of both worlds with accurate, predictable handling and impressive compliance over bumps. This reassuring setup makes the A4 an epic long-distance cruiser, especially when equipped with the 2.0-litre diesel engine you'll find in 35 TDI versions, which can cover hundreds of miles on barely any fuel with even fewer emissions.
Check out used Audi A4 cars or read our Audi A4 review
Volkswagen Golf – 99g/km CO2
The latest Volkswagen Golf aims to prove less is more – there are fewer controls in the cabin, a more focused engine lineup and even less emissions out the exhaust pipe. Golfs equipped with the entry-level 2.0-litre diesel engine emit less than 100g/km of CO2 while averaging more than 65mpg if you drive with a light right foot. Those numbers mean you can rack up huge miles in your Golf on a very small budget – a job that's made easier by its comfy ride quality and rich suite of on-board tech to keep you entertained.
See used Volkswagen Golf cars or read our Volkswagen Golf review
Lexus UX – 97g/km CO2
With so many talented rivals in the compact premium SUV segment, the Lexus UX sometimes gets overlooked. That's a shame because the UX 250h benefits from parent company Toyota's years of experience building hybrid cars. You get smooth, silent and snappy reactions from the hybrid powertrain, allowing you to cut through gaps in traffic, while keeping your running costs low thanks to only using the engine when it's needed. Inside, the UX's hewn-from-granite build quality stands out with excellent materials and a busy-but-intuitive dashboard.
Take a look at used Lexus UX cars
Renault Captur – 108g/km CO2
Even entry-level versions of the Renault Captur are impressively efficient, so you don't need to step up to one of the electrified versions to clean up your act. Nevertheless, you should still consider Renault's E-Tech Hybrid 145 engine thanks to its excellent efficiency, zippy off-the-line performance and tiny carbon footprint. This second-generation Captur is substantially improved compared to the car it replaces, too. There's good passenger space, aided by sliding rear seats, and a neat dashboard all focused around a slick, easy-to-use touchscreen.
View used Renault Captur cars or read our full Renault Captur review
Skoda Kamiq – 116g/km CO2
By almost any measure, the Skoda Kamiq is an excellent car. It's easy to drive, comfortable over the UK's broken Tarmac, and almost impossibly practical for its size. There are acres of passenger space, allowing even tall adults in the back to stretch out, and a handy, square boot that will swallow suitcases or pushchairs without complaint. Most engine options for the Kamiq are efficient, but we think the entry-level 95hp 1.0-litre TSI petrol is the one to go for – there's enough power for relaxed day-to-day driving while keeping your emissions output in check.
Shop used Skoda Kamiq cars or read our Skoda Kamiq review
Suzuki Vitara – 104g/km CO2
Considering the Suzuki Vitara's well-earned reputation as an SUV that's just as good off road as it is on road, you might not expect this compact, chunky family car to be much of a tree hugger. However, more recent models have paired the company's 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This setup can't power the wheels directly using the hybrid motor but it can recapture wasted energy from slowing down or braking, helping slash the Vitara's carbon emissions and bump up its fuel efficiency.
See a choice of used Suzuki Vitara cars or read our Suzuki Vitara review
Toyota Yaris – 92g/km CO2
With such an illustrious history with hybrid cars, many Toyota models could've taken this spot. We've chosen the Toyota Yaris, however, because it squeezes all the company's clever electrified technology into a tiny city-friendly hatchback. Equipped with the 1.5-litre hybrid engine, the Yaris is smooth and easy to drive thanks to the responsive electric motor and fuss-free standard automatic gearbox. The most recent model injects a dose of style into the mix too, with a neat, well-made cabin inside and curvy, eye-catching styling on the outside.
Browse used Toyota Yaris cars for sale or see our Toyota Yaris review
Volkswagen T-Roc – 111g/km CO2
Family buyers would've flocked to the Golf in the past, they're now more likely to look at the Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV. They'll have little to complain about, too, because the T-Roc has all the reassuring build quality and on-board technology you'd expect from a VW, in a desirable small SUV package. Most of the smaller engines available for the T-Roc have clean exhaust emissions but the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine would be our pick. This unit has enough grunt for motorway driving but a tiny appetite for fuel so you can go miles between refills.
Check out used Volkswagen T-Roc cars or read our Volkswagen T-Roc review
Cut your carbon footprint with a nearly new car
If it's time to get rid if your old smoker, take a look at Motorpoint's great selection of nearly new cars. All with the latest engine technology to keep your emissions under control. Or, to really clean up your act, check out our wide range of nearly new electric cars.
