Best Cheap Automatic Used Cars

If you’re after a car that packs premium touches, efficient engines and that all-important automatic gearbox, then the Volkswagen up! should definitely be on your list.

As well as being a great cheap used automatic car, it’s also a model which has a lot more space than you might expect from such a compact vehicle.

It’s superb for people driving in urban areas too, and its small size makes it really easy to park. The automatic version takes this ease-of-use one step further and makes the up! feel even more like a go-kart than before.

• The up! might be small, but clever folding seats and a great design mean it’s got plenty of boot space.
• The boxy shape allows the up! to offer enough headroom for taller drivers.
• Automatic up! models are still very frugal which helps to keep bills stay as low as possible.

If it’s a no-frills car that you’re after, then the Kia Ceed is one to check out. It’s got an excellent track-record when it comes to reliability, while its well-built interior should still look fresh today. All versions of the Ceed were well equipped from launch, too, so whichever used model you’re looking should come with plenty of features. The Ceed also came with a seven-year transferrable warranty, so if you’re able to get a later-year model then there’s a chance that some of this cover could be left.

But importantly for this article, the Ceed is also available with an automatic gearbox. You’ll find a smooth dual-clutch gearbox on 1.6-litre petrol version of the Ceed, while diesel models used a slightly older torque converter version. However, whichever you choose, you’ll be getting a versatile and user-friendly car that isn’t hard to find for budget-beating prices.

Hyundai’s i10 packs a lot of equipment and style into a compact package. As well as being a cheap automatic car to buy, it’s also incredibly efficient so you shouldn’t have to spend too much when it comes to running costs.

While there is a newer third-generation model available, the second-generation car represents superb value for money and still closely resembles the car that replaced it.

It’s really easy to drive, too, with nice light controls which could make the i10 a great cheap automatic car for all types of drivers.

The A-Class has always been a more upmarket model in the traditional hatchback area, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great used examples that can deliver on price, too.

The vast majority of used examples will be kitted out with an automatic gearbox and they’re some of the best in the business.

Built between 2012 and 2018, The third-generation A-Class is a great choice as it’s still got loads of upmarket features but can be obtained by those on a budget. It also features a sleek exterior design which still looks great today.

The MINI Hatch has been an absolute hit since its rebirth in the 2000s. Encapsulating some of the character of the original classic, the modern MINI Hatch is one of the true motoring success stories. Because it’s been on sale for some time now, there are loads of used examples that don’t break the bank.

While there are various generations to choose from, it’s the second-generation car we’d opt for. As a great option when it comes to cheap automatic used cars, it’s available with either petrol or diesel engines, allowing you to find the right match for your lifestyle.

What we really love though is the retro-inspired interior, which feels like it’s got a great blend of modern touches but with some classic style.

There’s no reason why making the switch to an automatic electric vehicle can’t be done on a budget, as the Renault Zoe proves. On sale for just over a decade, the Zoe was one of the first mass-adopted electric vehicles and, because of this, there are plenty to choose from when shopping used. All get an automatic gearbox – like every EV – while its clean-running electric powertrain will ensure that this car will be very cheap to run.

Bear in mind that early Zoe cars came with a battery lease scheme – where you pay for the battery via monthly instalments separately to the car – so double-check this on any model you’re looking at. However, with its compact dimensions and zippy acceleration, the Zoe is a great car for the city while later versions with their longer ranges are a good fit for those who travel further afield too.

Space is the name of the game with the Skoda Superb. It has always offered loads of room, but the latest third-generation car – which arrived in 2015 and can now be purchased for budget-beating prices – really nailed that practicality brief.

Either in hatch or estate layouts, it’s got a top-notch interior room that makes it one of the best budget family cars out there. The DSG automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to use, taking much of the stress out of longer journeys, while clever touches such as an ice scraper in the fuel filler door and a dashboard clip for holding parking tickets make life much easier.

Frugal diesel engines make the Superb not only one of the cheapest automatic cars to buy but also one of the cheapest to run, while petrol options are efficient in their own right.

If you’re after an automatic car, you don’t always have to opt for a big car. In fact, cars like the Toyota Aygo prove exactly that, with this pint-sized city car available with a great automatic gearbox that fits our brief perfectly.

Not only does it suit our list of cheap automatic cars ideally, it’s also great to drive and really frugal. Maintenance costs should be kept low thanks to the Aygo’s compact 1.0-litre petrol engine, too.

Another bonus is that because of the Aygo’s low price when new, it’s also a great buy on the used market, while all versions come with plenty of features including USB connectivity and DAB digital radio.

Honda’s Jazz is one of those real ‘Tardis’ cars. Like Doctor Who’s famous time machine, the Jazz is a car which has always managed to be much larger on the inside than its exterior proportions would lead you to believe. As a result, people who need some extra space in a car that still remains easy to park and position have always leaned towards the Jazz.

It’s available with a great automatic gearbox, while the third generation – which is one of the cheaper automatic cars on sale today – packs everything you could need.

It’s got a great reputation for reliability, too, while handy ‘Magic Seats’ in the back fold in a clever configuration to help you load taller items – like plants, for example – into the back of the car easily.

If you’re after a cheap automatic car which also happens to be electric, then the i3 could be right on the money. One of a whole new generation of EVs, the i3 incorporated a load of next-generation features and technology, including a lightweight body that used loads of weight-saving carbon fibre.

But despite this, it’s a really great budget-orientated option. Early models might not be able to deliver the best electric range – around 80 miles, in some cases – but if you’re only doing shorter journeys then the i3 could drastically cut the costs of driving.

If you’d like a little bit of a safety net, then there’s also an i3 with a range-extending petrol engine – you fill it up and it’s used to add some extra charge to the battery should it run low.