Cheap Cars For Sale

Cheap cars for sale with heycar

With the cost of living still high in 2025, more drivers than ever are looking for ways to cut motoring costs. But finding a cheap car that’s actually worth buying can be tricky. Yes, you can opt for the lowest-priced car on the market – but what about reliability, running costs and whether it suits your everyday needs?

The best cheap used cars strike the right balance between affordability, practicality, and low long-term costs. Most are smaller cars, which are generally cheaper to buy, insure and fuel – but you’ll also find some brilliant-value larger models if you know where to look. Many of the most affordable options also come with fuel-efficient petrol engines or even electric power, which could be ideal for keeping costs low.

While a few brand-new models still offer great value, they’re still subject to immediate depreciation. If you're keeping a close eye on your finances, a well-chosen used car that’s already absorbed its initial drop in value makes far more sense.

Why buy a cheap car?

If you're looking to maximise value, buying a cheap car is a smart move. Used cars are more affordable to buy, tend to have lower monthly payments, and usually cost less to tax and insure. You’re also less likely to be hit by a steep drop in value, as the car will have already done most of its depreciating.

Going used also gives you more options – across a wide range of sizes, fuel types, and features – to suit your lifestyle. From small city cars to family hatchbacks or SUVs, the second-hand market is full of reliable, well-maintained cars at bargain prices.

And remember: cheap doesn’t have to mean small. Larger used cars – even former flagship models – become very affordable as they age. Choose one with a solid service history, and you could end up with a great-value car that serves you well for years.

What are the best makes and models of cheap cars?

There are thousands of cheap cars out there – but choosing wisely means factoring in running costs, reliability, and availability of parts as well as price.

With that in mind, we’d recommend sticking to cars from the last few years – ones that have their worst years of depreciation behind them, but are still new enough to be reliable and efficient.

Cars that we’d point you towards include small cars like the Volkswagen Up, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa, which have been hugely popular, meaning there are loads to choose from on the used market. They're all great for city driving and can be picked up for less than £10,000.

Some models came with impressive warranties when new, and could still be covered now, giving you peace of mind when it comes to unexpected repair costs. These include various cars from Kia, such as the Picanto, Rio and Ceed, all of which had seven-year warranties from new.

Cheap electric cars include older models like the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. They might not have the battery range of the newer models, but they’ll still do more than 100 miles on a charge, which will be plenty for getting around town without spending a penny on petrol or diesel.

Want something larger? Look for cars like the Dacia Jogger and Dacia Duster, which were great value when they were new and are an even better deal used.

What should I look for when buying a cheap car?

When shopping for a cheap car, don’t just focus on the purchase price. Think about the total cost of ownership, including insurance, road tax, fuel, repairs and maintenance. Luxury brands like Audi or Mercedes-Benz can be tempting at low prices, but maintenance and repairs are often more expensive than with mainstream brands like Ford, Honda or Skoda.

What do you use your car for? Short urban trips? Consider a small petrol or electric car. Regular long-distance drives? A diesel may offer better fuel economy.

Consider cars that still have warranty cover. Brands like Kia, Toyota and Hyundai offer longer manufacturer warranties – some cars from 2019–2022 may still be covered in 2025.

A full or comprehensive service record is a must – it can give you more confidence in the car’s condition and future reliability. Be wary of cars with patchy maintenance or unusually low prices that seem too good to be true. And make sure you get a proper inspection or warranty from a trusted dealer.

If you're not sure if a cheap car is quite right for you, we've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.