STRUGGLING for cash at the moment?
You’re not the only one, with the cost-of-living crisis hitting us all.
The Moneysaving expert Martin Lewis recommends we all do what we can to cut down on expenses – and for many of us, the biggest outgoing is our cars.
The cost of fuel can eat up money. The extreme conditions in winter make breakdowns more likely.
Monthly motor repayments can also make motoring unmanageable as other bills increase, too.
At Sun Motors, we’re here to help you save cash.
We’re going to share five of the best used cars with the lowest running costs.
As time is money, let’s get on with it…
What to look for to lower running costs?
We’re not going into Newton’s third law, but it’s pretty obvious that the heavier a car, the more energy it takes to move it.
This is a roundabout way of saying that small cars are cheaper to run. You’ll also find that smaller cars are often cheaper to insure, too.
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll want to buy a car that’s reliable.
The annual What Car? Reliability Survey is a great place to start.
As well as selecting a manufacturer, make, and model, you’ll also want to check that the car has been cared for.
You can check old MOTs and service history to see what work has been done.
Does used car mileage matter? Yes, but not as much as you think.
Follow our advice and buy a used car from a trusted dealer with a complete service history and a clean MOT, and you’ll be fine.
What impacts a car most in winter?
During November to January, there are over a million breakdowns, says insurance firm Direct Line.
That’s an average of nine breakdowns every minute.
The cold weather can cause havoc to your car’s essential systems, with a flat battery the most common cause of car failure.
You can also find that essentials like tyres and wipers wear out, too.
You’ll need to keep on top of essential checks, especially during the cold months.
You should lift the bonnet and check your oil, coolant and brake fluid levels at least once a month (but preferably weekly).
Breakdowns can – and do – happen anytime of the year, but they’re more likely to happen in winter – and worse, too.
Who wants to be stuck by the side of the motorway in the snow? (Not us.)
5 of the best used cars with the lowest running costs
Here are five of our favourite used cars with the lowest overall running costs.
Ultra reliable: Honda Jazz
Honda has been named the UK’s most reliable car brand.
We’ve selected this 2015 low-mileage Honda Jazz as our choice. It’ll deliver almost 50 mpg and costs a little over £175 per month.
Mileage monster: Toyota Yaris Cross
Want a car that can deliver over 100 mpg?
Meet the Toyota Yaris Cross. This little beauty delivers incredible real-world performance.
OK, so this nearly-new 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross model isn’t ultra-cheap, but higher up-front costs could pay back with fewer trips to the pump.
Cut price: Citroen C3
Buy cheap and don’t buy twice with this 2018 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech.
At only 7 years old and with a relatively low 81,000 miles on the clock, it’s ready for much more.
It’ll also deliver nearly 60mpg on the motorway, making it highly efficient too. Oh, and it’s just £110 per month.
Find Your Next Car by What You Can Actually Afford
Sun Motors has created the UK’s First Finance-First Marketplace
*Finance Powered by DSG Finance who are a Credit Broker Not A Lender. Representative 21.6%. Your rate may differ depending on individual circumstances
You can check in less than 60 seconds if you are eligible for financing, and then search for your dream used car within your monthly budget.
Here’s how…
- Soft credit check, with no impact on your score
- 60-second decision, get a real finance decision in less than a minute
- Instant match, only see cars that fit your real budget
- AI-powered help, get tailored advice, suggestions, and instant answers from an AI advisor called Theo
Find out what you can afford in just 60 seconds here.
Low-cost superstar: Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift tops reliability lists, with the Japanese manufacturer known for building ultra-reliable motors.
We’ve selected this super looking 2016 Suzuki Swift that’s small but perfectly formed and built for many thousands more miles.
Awesome EV: Dacia Spring
The perfect entry-level EV? That’s the Dacia Spring.
It’s a Renault Clio-sized EV that’s fantastic for economy.
A used Dacia Spring can be picked up for a mind-bogglingly bargain price of around £10k. It’s a Top Gear favourite – and a Sun Motors one, too!
Best used cars with the lowest running costs FAQs:
Electric vs petrol: Is one better than the other for the seasons?
Electric cars are cheaper to run but more expensive to buy, so factor that into your plans.
At the heart of every EV is a battery (or several batteries, including one for driving and the other for in-car entertainment), and they’ll need to be cared for.
When it comes to driving, the instant power delivery in an EV is better for traction and control.
You’ll have fewer problems starting an EV in extremely cold temperatures than an internal combustion engine car, too.
How does Sun Motors keep you safe when buying a used car?
When you buy a car from Sun Motors, you’re in safe hands.
All our dealerships are vetted to ensure that they reach the highest standards of customer care.
The vehicles they sell are all checked to ensure they are high quality, which means you can buy a used car on Sun Motors with confidence.
Can I see the history of a used vehicle on Sun Motors?
You can find details of all used vehicles on the site, including essentials like age and mileage.
If you want more details, Sun Motors’ AI chatbots can provide more detailed information.
If that’s not enough, you can connect to any dealer through Sun Motors and ask them any questions you might have.
Motor Genius Group Ltd t/a Sun Motors is an Appointed Representative (FRN 960504) of The Compliance Guys Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 941360). We are a credit broker not a lender. We work with a select group of lenders and will receive commission. The full details of how the commission arrangements work will be provided before you proceed with any arrangement. Finance subject to status and income. Terms and Conditions apply. The advice we provide is not impartial due to our commercial relationships with lenders. ICO number [ZB640135]
