Two hundred pounds might buy you a month of phone use, a gym membership and a few streaming subscriptions.
But it's also enough to unlock lots of choice if you're financing a used car, whether you want a little city car to bimble around in or a rugged-feeling SUV for longer adventures.
Stump up a 10% deposit and you'll be able to shop lots of different models – most being only a few years old with low mileage. Here are 10 of our favourite used cars for less than £200 per month. Which do you like the look of?
Skoda Scala
The Skoda Scala is the company's answer to the Volkswagen Golf, but it's more than just a cut-price alternative. This surprisingly spacious family car has enough room to convince wriggling kids into their car seats, and just about enough boot space for a pushchair or a week's holiday gear. The cabin is subtle but has details like patterned upholstery and posh metal door handles to lift the atmosphere. On the road, the Scala is calm and fuss free. Your budget buys a relatively recent model with our preferred 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, as well as the optional quick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox, which suits the car's chilled character.
Shop used Skoda Scala cars for sale or read our Skoda Scala review
Vauxhall Grandland X
Affordable monthly finance makes the Vauxhall Grandland X a tempting family car option. Your budget will be able to buy a fairly new example, ideally in a higher spec trim like SRi Nav with part-leather upholstery, rear parking sensors and an infotainment system. On the road, the Grandland X doesn't exactly deliver memorable handling but it does, at least, have suspension soft enough to absorb most of the cracks from our country's scruffy roads, so long trips needn't be a battle of attrition.
Shop used Vauxhall Grandland X cars for sale
Suzuki Ignis
The Suzuki Ignis is pint-sized but plucky, and it’s available with proper four-wheel drive so its chunky looks aren’t just for show. They make it look cool, too. The Ignis might seem as strong as a cardboard box, but it feels impressively secure and stable on the move – not to mention fun at low speeds. What’s more, there’s much more space inside than you might expect, so the Ignis is a better choice than something like a Toyota Aygo if you regularly take passengers with you.
Shop used Suzuki Ignis cars for sale or read our Suzuki Ignis review
Vauxhall Astra
One of the pillars of the family hatchback market, the Vauxhall Astra focuses on ease, equipment and, most of all, value. You’ll be looking at late versions of the last-generation Astra for this budget, but you’d struggle to get close to the Astra’s age and mileage in a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. The Astra’s one of the largest cars on our list, capable of carrying four adults or a family in cosseting comfort. And there’s a competitive 370-litre boot behind. The Astra was made for British roads and it shows – potholes are well rounded off and don’t jolt into the cabin. We’d choose the 1.2-litre petrol engine for perky acceleration and long-distance fuel economy.
Shop used Vauxhall Astra cars for sale
Toyota Aygo X
Not an Aygo with a kiss, but a brand-new city car that blends easy-to-park dimensions and SUV styling. The Toyota Aygo X builds on the Aygo’s strengths, so there’s a little bit more rear-seat space, a better touchscreen and a bit more equipment. You still won’t be getting up to motorway speeds in a hurry – it continues to show its best efforts in town – but the upshot of its 72hp engine is excellent fuel economy. Insurance is nice and cheap, too.
Shop used Toyota Aygo X cars for sale or read our Toyota Aygo X review
Nissan Leaf
You might be surprised to see an electric car on this list, but there’s now a handful of used small EVs available for not a lot of money. The Nissan Leaf is probably the best-value choice, with family-size space, a bigger boot than many petrol hatchbacks, and a usable 160-mile range. The Leaf is also really well-equipped – a reversing camera, sat nav and cruise control are all standard – and it’s even quick off the line, with a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds.
Shop used Nissan Leaf cars for sale or read our Nissan Leaf review
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift might not always stack up against other popular superminis on paper, but take one for a spin and it’ll get under your skin. It’s just so easy to live with – it’s very reliable, fuel efficient and comfortable, while its light weight helps handling. The Swift has enough space for four adults and their shopping, and all the controls are intuitive and clear. If you’re on a budget, a Swift for £200 per month will be newer and lower-mileage than a Volkswagen Polo or Ford Fiesta.
Shop used Suzuki Swift cars for sale
Vauxhall Corsa
The UK’s most popular car is widely available for under £200 per month. It’s not only a big seller because it’s affordable, but because it’s a talented all-rounder of a thing. Fun to drive and peppy, yet economical and mostly comfortable. Well equipped for the price, yet also big enough to carry your friends without them feeling scrunched up behind you. Typically, you’ll be able to choose lower-spec cars with low mileage or higher-spec cars with slightly higher mileage for the money.
Shop used Vauxhall Corsa cars for sale or read our Vauxhall Corsa review
Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe is the perfect electric car if you’re on a budget or want to experience electric driving without spending a fortune. It’s a proper car, too – it has space for four adults, a big boot and a near-250-mile official range. Most recent Zoes offer 50kW fast-charging – we’d aim for one of these so you can top up to 80% charge in under an hour while you’re out and about. We’re not exaggerating when we say the Zoe costs just a few quid to fully charge, and road tax is free until 2025, too.
Shop used Renault Zoe cars for sale
Fiat Tipo Cross
The Fiat Tipo is an often-overlooked family hatchback, but savvy drivers will find a lot to like. The space on offer is impressive given how much you’re paying, and the modern styling is fairly similar to the costlier Ford Focus. It’s a competent performer, able to get up to speed without any fuss and sit at motorway speeds without shaking your fillings out. For this budget you can get the standard Tipo or the SUV-styled Tipo Cross (pictured), which we’d pick for its slightly higher ride height – improving ride comfort and ease of access.
Shop used Fiat Tipo Cross cars for sale
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £300 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
