Two hundred pounds might buy you a month of phone use, satellite TV and a few streaming subscriptions.
But it's also enough to unlock lots of choice if you're financing a used car.
Stump up a 20% 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.
Skoda Kamiq
The Skoda Kamiq may be the smallest SUV in the Czech brand's range, but no one's told the Kamiq that! This compact family car is barely any bigger than hatches like the Volkswagen Golf on the outside, but squeezes so much passenger room into the cabin that it can compete with larger SUVs from the class above. You can seat four six-footers in comfort, or squeeze a fifth in for shorter journeys, while also having enough boot space for a couple of big suitcases. Plus, it's more fun to drive than you'd expect, with fast steering and level handling.
Read our Skoda Kamiq review or browse used Skoda Kamiq cars
Mini Hatchback
There's more to the Mini Hatchback than its cheeky retro styling. This is a genuine junior hot hatch, with ultra-responsive steering and go-kart-like handling that begs you to flick it between tight corners. Your £200-per-month budget won't quite stretch to the 2.0-litre Cooper S engine if you're shopping relatively recent used cars, but will still cover one of the 1.5-litre Cooper versions. With 136hp, this engine has plenty of grunt to get this lightweight city car up to speed while also returning affordable fuel bills.
Read our Mini Hatchback review or browse used Mini Hatchback cars
Volkswagen T-Cross
If you put it through an X-ray machine, you'll find the Volkswagen T-Cross shares plenty of oily bits with the Skoda Kamiq above. While you trade away a little of the Skoda's outright space, the Volkswagen strikes back with a slightly snazzier dashboard and a few more plush styling details dotted about. The T-Cross also comes with a party piece – a sliding rear bench seat that lets you choose between generous rear-seat space, or a larger cargo area without having to fold the seats down.
Check out used Volkswagen T-Cross cars
MG HS
In a field full of talented rivals, the MG HS runs the risk of being 'yet another' family SUV. However, this unassuming child-hauler manages to stand out among rivals when you get to the hard numbers – it substantially undercuts almost all its main rivals, so your £200 monthly budget can buy a fairly recent, high-spec example. It's no bargain-basement option, either. All versions have a vast cabin with plenty of passenger space, and Exclusive trim gets heated front seats, leather upholstery, all-round parking sensors and an infotainment system.
Read our MG HS review or browse used MG HS cars
Nissan Juke
Some might dismiss the Nissan Juke as style over substance but the second-generation car finally puts those criticisms to bed. The cabin feels surprisingly premium at this price point, with lots of soft-touch materials and deliberately styled elements to lift the passenger experience. What's more, as long as you're not carrying especially lofty passengers in the back, you'll find the Juke is more practical than you might expect with decent rear legroom and a usefully square boot.
Read our Nissan Juke review or browse used Nissan Juke cars
Citroen C5 Aircross
The Citroen C5 Aircross is another impressively affordable option that majors on practicality. It's a five-seat SUV only, unlike the mechanically related Peugeot 5008, but each of those five positions is a separate seat, which makes the C5 Aircross one of the few cars that middle-rear passengers can fit in without too much complaint. The soft suspension means there's quite a bit of body roll through corners but does take the edge off bumps over long journeys, and the huge, square boot makes loading bulky items hassle free.
Shop used Citroen C5 Aircross cars
Fiat 500e
If you're after an electric car for less than £200 per month, you'll find several choices on the used market including the likes of the Vauxhall Mokka, Renault Zoe and DS 3. However, of these options, we think the Fiat 500e is worth a look – provided you’re not planning to use those back seats regularly. It’s a cheeky, fun car that’s vastly improved over its predecessor with a nippy electric powertrain. It feels quick away from traffic lights and, importantly, produces no tailpipe emissions. Most electric 500s have a 42kWh battery, which is good for a near-200-mile range.
Shop used Fiat 500 cars for sale
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio has always been a stylish alternative to the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, but you might not realise it has a pretty plush interior for the price – which usually undercuts most of its rivals. Under £200 per month gets you a wide choice of high-spec Clios with an economical turbocharged petrol engine. The Clio can’t quite match its rivals for rear-seat space – there’s just enough space for adults provided front-row occupants aren’t really tall – but the Clio offers the biggest boot of any supermini.
Shop used Renault Clio cars for sale or read our Renault Clio review
Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster is an unpretentious and rugged SUV that’s seriously good value. Spacious, big-booted and easy to wipe down – the Duster is the perfect adventure vehicle. Tried-and-tested Renault parts, including the petrol engines and interior switchgear, should give you confidence about the Duster’s longevity. Whether you simply want basic transport or a few extra features, the Dacia has you covered. If you fall into the latter camp, look for a Duster with alloy wheels, as these trim levels also come with a rear-view camera, cruise control and an easy-to-use touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Shop used Dacia Duster cars for sale
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.
Browse used Vauxhall Grandland X cars
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.
