Many UK drivers are looking for used fuel efficient cars to save money and help the environment. With high fuel costs and city charges, these cars make a lot of sense.
This guide will show you some great fuel efficient used cars and explain what makes them good choices. We’ll look at how they save fuel, which ones are best, and give tips on picking the right one for you.
Whether you drive mostly in the city or on highways, there’s a fuel efficient used car that can work for you.
Key Factors for Choosing Used Fuel Efficient Cars
- Real-world MPG performance: Look for cars with consistently high combined MPG in user reviews
- Emissions and tax band: Many efficient models fall into zero or low VED tax categories
- Maintenance costs and parts availability: Choose models that are inexpensive to maintain with widely available parts
- Suitability for typical driving conditions: Consider whether you mostly drive in urban areas or on motorways
- Service history and MOT records: Prioritize well-maintained vehicles with verifiable records
- Test drive performance and comfort: Check responsiveness, engine sound, and fuel use at different speeds
What Makes a Car Fuel Efficient?
Real-World MPG Performance
When looking at used fuel efficient cars, it’s important to check how they do in real life, not just what the maker says. Cars that get over 50 miles per gallon (MPG) in normal driving are good choices.
Remember that how you drive, traffic, and weather can change how much fuel a car uses. It’s a good idea to look at what other drivers say about the car’s fuel use online.
Low Emissions and Tax Bands
Cars that don’t make much pollution often cost less in road tax. Low emission vehicles are better for the air and can save you money in cities with special charges for polluting cars.
Try to find cars that make less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer. These usually have the lowest tax. Some towns even give you cheaper parking if you have a clean car.
Affordable Servicing
It’s smart to pick cars that are cheap to fix and have parts that are easy to find. This keeps your costs down over time. Cars from big makers like Ford, Vauxhall, and Toyota often have lots of places to get them fixed at good prices.
Think about how much it costs to replace common parts too. Some fuel efficient cars might need special care, like new batteries for hybrids, so check on that before you buy.
What Are the Popular Used Fuel Efficient Cars for UK Drivers?
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Fuel Economy
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid can get over 60 MPG in normal driving. It’s really good at saving fuel in the city, where it uses its electric motor a lot.
Some drivers even get up to 70 MPG if they drive carefully. The Yaris Hybrid has been good on fuel for many years, so even older ones are a good choice.
Highlights
- Small size makes it great for city driving and parking
- Very reliable and well-built, like most Toyotas
- Okay to drive in cities with special charges for polluting cars
- Cheap to keep running and fix
- Has good safety features, especially newer ones
- Quiet and smooth to drive, especially in the city
Used Toyota Yaris Hybrids offer great value due to their long-lasting reliability and low running costs. They’re ideal for city driving and handle longer journeys comfortably as well. Their popularity means there’s usually a wide selection available on the used market..
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost
Fuel Economy
The Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost can get up to 65 MPG, depending on how you drive it. Most people get between 50-60 MPG in normal driving.
The engine is small but powerful, which helps it save fuel. It has features like stopping the engine when you’re not moving, which saves even more fuel in the city.
 Highlights
- Simple and easy to find used, with different versions to choose from
- Fun to drive and handles well
- Cheap to fix and maintain
- Nice interior with good tech in latest ones
- Very safe, especially the fancier versions
- Holds its worth and value well when you want to sell it
Used Ford Fiesta EcoBoosts are great value because they’re popular and good quality. The EcoBoost engine is special because it’s small but powerful and saves fuel.
These cars are good for both city driving and longer trips. They’re more comfortable inside and smooth to drive, making them a good all-around option.
Honda Jazz
Fuel Economy
The Honda Jazz can get 55–60 MPG, and the new hybrid ones can do even better in the city, sometimes nearly 70 MPG. Even the older petrol ones are good on fuel, usually getting over 50 MPG. It’s light and shaped to cut through the air easily, which helps it use less fuel.
Highlights
- Very practical with clever seats that fold in different ways
- Known for being very reliable
- Cheap to run and fix
- Easy to see out of and park
- Lots of space inside for a small car
- Newer ones have good safety tech
People like used Honda Jazz cars because they last a long time and are very practical. The special “Magic Seats” let you carry all sorts of things, almost like a much bigger car.
It’s great for families or anyone who needs a small car that can carry a lot. The new hybrid ones are especially good on fuel in the city.
Peugeot 208 BlueHDi
Fuel Economy
The Peugeot 208 BlueHDi diesel can get over 70 MPG, which is really good for long trips. It’s especially good on motorways where it can cruise along using very little fuel.
Even in the city, it usually gets over 60 MPG. The engine is clean too, so it’s okay to drive in most city centers that have rules about pollution.
Highlights
- Looks nice and feels a bit fancy
- Doesn’t make much pollution, which is good for tax
- Comfortable to ride in
- Nice inside with good quality materials
- Has lots of tech features, especially the more expensive ones
- The engine is strong when you need to go fast
Used Peugeot 208 BlueHDi cars look and feel a bit more special than some other small cars. The diesel engine is really good for people who drive long distances a lot.
It’s also easy to drive in the city and has lots of modern tech inside. It’s a good choice if you want a car that feels a bit more grown-up but still saves fuel.
Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
Fuel Economy
The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion can get over 65 MPG, and the diesel ones can sometimes do even better on long trips, getting over 70 MPG.
The petrol ones are good too, usually getting around 60 MPG. It has special features to save fuel, like stopping the engine when you’re not moving and tires that are easy to roll on.
Highlights
- Quiet and feels well-made, like a more expensive car
- Doesn’t make much pollution, which is good for tax and the environment
- Keeps its value well when you want to sell it
- Has good tech inside, like screens for music and driving help
- Nice materials inside, better than many small cars
- Very safe, with lots of features to protect you
Used Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion cars feel a bit more special than other small cars. They’re good for both city driving and long trips.
The car is built well and feels quiet inside, which makes it nice to drive. For a used car buyer, it’s a chance to get a fuel-saving car that feels more expensive than it is.
Tips for Choosing the Right Model
Check Service History and MOT Records
When looking at used fuel efficient cars, always check if they’ve been taken care of properly. Look for cars with a full service history and MOT records. This tells you if the car has been looked after well and if it might need any big repairs soon.
For hybrid cars, check if the battery has been replaced or fixed. Look at the MOT records to see if there are any problems that keep coming back. It’s good if the car has been serviced by the main dealer or a good garage, as this usually means it’s been well cared for.
Test Drive to Check Comfort and Fuel Use
When you test drive a car, pay attention to how it feels to drive and how much fuel it uses. Look for a car that speeds up smoothly, doesn’t make much noise, and shows good fuel economy on the dashboard.
Try to drive it in the city and on faster roads to see how it does in different situations. For hybrid cars, check that it switches between electric and petrol power smoothly. Make sure the seats are comfy, the ride is smooth, and any fuel-saving features like stop-start are easy to use.
Check that you can easily see the fuel economy information on the dashboard. Remember, it’s important that you feel comfortable in the car and find it easy to use, not just that it saves fuel.
Think About Your Daily Driving
Choose a car that fits how you usually drive. If you mostly drive in the city, a hybrid like the Toyota Yaris Hybrid might be best because it’s really good at saving fuel in stop-and-go traffic.
If you do lots of long motorway trips, a diesel like the Peugeot 208 BlueHDi could be better because it’s great at saving fuel on long drives. Think about your daily drive, the kinds of trips you usually make, and any long trips you do regularly.
If you do a mix of city and motorway driving, something versatile like the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost might be perfect. Also think about things like hills or if you often start the car when it’s cold, as these can affect fuel use.
By picking a car that matches how you drive, you’ll get the best fuel savings and a car that suits your life.
Conclusion
Choosing a good used fuel efficient car can save you money and help the environment. We’ve looked at several great options, each with its own strengths.
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is great for city driving, the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost is fun to drive and efficient, the Honda Jazz is very practical, the Peugeot 208 BlueHDi is great for long trips, and the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion feels a bit fancy while still saving fuel.
Before you choose, compare the features, check the car’s history, and think about how you’ll use it. Consider your daily drive, how much it will cost to own long-term, and any local rules about car emissions. Remember to think about all the costs, not just the price of the car or how much fuel it uses.
The world of used fuel efficient cars is always changing, with new types of cars coming out. Keep an eye on new green vehicles and low emission cars to find the best one for you. Electric cars are becoming more common, so you might want to think about if one of those could work for you soon.
By choosing a fuel efficient used car, you’re not just saving money, you’re also helping to make driving in the UK better for the environment. Your choice can be good for your wallet and for the planet.
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