Top 10 Cheap Fuel Efficient Used Cars Available to Buy

We absolutely love the Volkswagen Up! here at Motors. It’s got loads of premium touches which makes it feel quite upmarket for a small car, but it’s also practical and easy to live with. The boxy design of the Up! also means that it’s got more than enough space for taller drivers and passengers, which is something you don’t often get in this size of vehicle.

But, most importantly for this list, it’s also superbly fuel efficient. Entry-level versions of the Up! with a non-turbocharged 1.0-litre engine are the cars you’ll get this headline efficiency figure from but even more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged engines – which add a little extra zip to the Up! – should still deliver well over 50mpg combined.

The Aygo encapsulates everything you need from a small and fuel-efficient car. Being a Toyota it delivers that must-have reliability that we spoke about earlier, while its compact dimensions make the Aygo an absolute breeze to drive around town and urban areas. Good availability of parts and spares means the Aygo isn’t going to cost the earth to repair if you do have a prang, as well.

Throughout its life, the Aygo has always brought some superb efficiency as well with claimed figures stating fuel consumption of 60mpg. But you shouldn’t have to worry about high servicing costs, either, while relatively low CO2 emissions mean that taxing the Aygo won’t bring a scary bill through the post each month.

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf represented a return to form for this ever-popular hatchback. It was sharper and more agile than the sixth-generation car before it while still retaining that all-rounder ability which has become synonymous with the Golf.

It was also a very efficient option and this remains the case on used models. Volkswagen claims up to 68.9mpg on diesel-powered Golf models of this age, but even petrol versions are still impressively efficient with 1.0- and 1.2-litre versions delivering well over 50mpg. The petrols will be a smarter choice for drivers who do shorter journeys, too, as they’ll be able to bring better efficiency over more compact trips compared to a diesel.

The Honda CR-Z arrived as a car to inject a little bit of fun into the typical hybrid setup. Its exterior still looks fresh today, in fact, with its sleek headlights and sharp boot line. Underneath, it’s different to most hybrid vehicles through its manual gearbox, which is linked up to an electrically-assisted petrol engine which blends performance and efficiency. 

It’s a sportier hybrid choice, this one, so it could be a good option if space isn’t a priority for you or if you want something that has a little extra fun and character. Certainly, with its space-age design both inside and out it’s not a ‘regular’ choice of car, yet it should still return up to 58mpg so it certainly has some eco credentials to back up its rather zany design.

The 2 Series Active Tourer was a completely new thing for BMW. The German firm had traditional shied away from MPVs, but here one was, complete with a front-wheel-drive layout which did away with BMW’s favoured rear-driven setup.

But it also got all of the features that you’d expect from a BMW, including loads of standard equipment and some nice materials. But it’s also spacious and a great option for families due to its roomy interior and good boot size. It’s the diesel-powered 216d that’ll deliver the best efficiency – up to 74.3mpg, in fact – and it also qualifies for zero road tax, so it’s a win-win! Mind you, other more powerful versions – like the diesel 218d and petrol 218i should still be able to return well over 50mpg.

We bet you didn’t expect to see a comfortable executive car on this list, right? Well, the C-Class is exactly that – a relatively large, refined and well-made saloon which can deliver incredible efficiency across the range of engine choices.

Though you’ll have to factor in higher servicing costs that comes with the Mercedes badge, the C-Class is a common sight on the used market and examples of this generation can be picked up for relatively low prices. Remember, too, that there’s the option of an estate for drivers who need a little extra space. It’s the C220d which provides a great combination of efficiency and performance and could return just over 70mpg combined. However, even the petrol C200 can return over 50mpg, if you’re not fancying a diesel-powered model.

A sports car doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think of cheap fuel efficient cars, but the Audi TT is actually a great option. This second-generation TT represents a very tempting used buy and, because of the inclusion of a diesel-powered model, it’s a car which can deliver both thrills and great efficiency.

Naturally, it’s not going to be a great option for families or larger groups, but if you’re on your own or in a couple then the TT could be a very fun and usable package. If a diesel-powered sports car isn’t your bag, then there are 2.0-litre turbocharged units which can still return a very respectable 35mpg – just avoid V6-powered versions as these will be both thirsty to run and expensive to maintain.

In a similar vein to the Fiat 500, the Mini Hatch is a car which has always traded on its style and character. This second-generation model built on the look and feel of the first ‘new’ Mini, but added in a few more creature comforts along with a larger footprint which made it ever-so-slightly more practical.

It was also – importantly for this list – now available with a diesel engine, which is the model you’ll find the best fuel efficiency in. Despite being a slightly older car it still does very well in the ‘green’ stakes even by modern standards, while all versions bring low CO2 emissions that’ll mean lower tax bills. Just remember that as a result of their higher-output engines and more costly repairs, you’ll likely pay more to insure a Mini Hatch than other models on this list.

Suzuki is a carmaker that knows its target market better than most. Take the Swift. It’s a car which is well-priced, cheap-to-run and notoriously reliable, which makes it a great buy for drivers who want a car that’ll never let them down and not cost them too much.

We’re a big fan of the second-generation Swift, which didn’t bring too much extra cost over the first-generation car but adds a whole lot more features and much-improved refinement. It’s also a really good car to opt for if you want great fuel economy, as it was capable of returning up to 72mpg. There’s also a diesel version available if you’re frequently doing longer journeys, where this unit will be able to deliver better efficiency compared with the smaller petrol engines.

It wouldn’t be a cheap, fuel efficient car list without the Ford Fiesta. One of the most-loved cars in the UK, the little Fiesta has proven the right fit for countless owners across the nation. There’s good reason for that, too, as it’s good to drive, pleasant to look at and practical inside.

Most importantly, it’s great on fuel. There are diesel versions available that’ll get that best-possible fuel efficiency but for most people the standard petrols will be more than frugal enough and should return around 50mpg. Regardless of which version you go for, plentiful replacement parts mean that fixing and maintaining the Fiesta won’t prove too scary. Regular servicing shouldn’t cost the earth, too.