A £250 per month budget feels like a real sweet spot for used cars.
Paying £250 a month or less usually gets you into a current-shape model that might only be a couple of years old, but for considerably less than the same car if it’d just rolled out of the factory. So you get the latest tech, a plate that’s not very old and, often, the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty.
We've chosen our 10 favourite cars at this price point, including posh hatchbacks, roomy family cars and some of the most stylish cars on sale. For even more choice, browse our range of used cars under £250 per month here – or check out our cars available for £249 a month with £249 deposit.
Skoda Karoq
Vanilla is the best flavour of ice cream, and the Skoda Karoq – while a bit bland-looking at first – is one of the, er, tastiest SUVs. Its handsome, well-proportioned bodywork hides a smart and considered dashboard, featuring a blend of materials that strike a good balance between plushness and durability. The Karoq offers a huge amount of interior space and excellent versatility, but it’s also good to drive and comfortable.
It’s one of our favourite family haulers, and you can spend considerably less than £250 per month to get behind the wheel of one. You can even buy a Karoq with the zippy 1.0-litre petrol engine and in a decently equipped trim level for around £200 per month. SE L trim adds lots of bells and whistles and still comes under budget.
Shop used Skoda Karoq cars for sale or read our Skoda Karoq review
Nissan Qashqai
As one of the larger cars on this list, the Nissan Qashqai shows you can have family-friendly practicality without spending a fortune. At this budget you can choose from last-shape and current-shape Qashqais, and we’d definitely recommend going for the newer one if you can. It’s bigger and more practical than before, it boasts sharper styling and the interior is noticeably more modern.
Fuel economy is also a little better in the new-shape car, thanks to its standard-fit mild-hybrid assistance. Acenta Premium trim offers an enticing blend of value and equipment, with alloy wheels, lane-departure warning assist, a reversing camera and bright LED headlights.
Shop used Nissan Qashqai cars for sale or read our Nissan Qashqai review
Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 straddles the line between small and midsize SUVs, and is good value on the second-hand market. Its styling is smoother and curvier than something like a Volkswagen T-Roc, with details that catch the light as if they're liquid metal.
The Mazda has one of the best interiors of any compact SUV when it comes to material quality, but you might find its infotainment screen – controlled by a rotary dial – a little unusual to use, compared to the more conventional touchscreen fitted in rivals.
Shop used Mazda CX-30 cars for sale, or read our Mazda CX-30 review
MG4
Take in the MG4’s styling and you’d be forgiven for expecting the interior to be a maximalist fever dream. In fact, it’s cool and minimalist, with just a couple of slim screens breaking up the dashboard and a small control panel jutting out of the centre console. But even so, there’s lots to fiddle with, including shortcut buttons that let you customise their features. And even the basic battery gives a quoted 218-mile range, while upgrading to the 280-mile 64kWh battery doesn’t cost very much.
Shop used MG4 cars for sale or read our MG4 review
Ford Focus
A firm family favourite, the Ford Focus is still a top choice even among a seemingly endless number of SUV alternatives. The Focus offers class-leading rear legroom, a boot that’s big enough for day-to-day use, and an interior that’s as easy to use as it is connected. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol is nippy and frugal, while there’s also a 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine if you’re aiming your Focus at the motorway network. We haven’t even mentioned that it’s a hoot to drive – ideal if you moonlight as an owl.
Shop used Ford Focus cars for sale or read our Ford Focus review
Mini hatchback
If you don’t need anything so practical, why not treat yourself to something that’s fun to drive, enduringly popular and posh inside. The Mini hatchback is an icon, and it’s barely more expensive than more straight-laced superminis. This budget nets you lots of choice – there’s the mid-range Cooper, some examples of the fast Cooper S, and even electric Minis with the same fun factor as their petrol counterparts (but lower running costs if you charge at home).
For this budget, you'll also find examples of the airy Mini Convertible and the roomier Mini Clubman, too.
Shop used Mini hatchback cars for sale or read our Mini hatchback review
Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc is one of VW's most popular models, and it's not hard to see why. It's the perfect size for many drivers – big enough to be useful, but not so big that it's daunting to drive or hard to park. If the Golf is just a little too small inside, or if you want a little bit of SUV style, then the T-Roc is a clear winner in VW's confusingly varied SUV range. Inside, the T-Roc blends everyday usability with cutting-edge tech, and 2022-on cars get slightly nicer interior materials.
Shop used Volkswagen T-Roc cars for sale or read our Volkswagen T-Roc review
Citroen C5 X
Want something a bit different to the norm? Why not try a big, comfy Citroen? The C5 X is a roomy and refined family car that boasts arresting styling, not to mention a capacious boot and a long list of standard equipment. For this budget you're most likely to get a willing petrol engine and an automatic gearbox – and not having to switch gears yourself adds to the C5 X's feeling of calm zen.
Alternatively, the C5 Aircross offers these qualities in a large and more conventional SUV body style, with three individual rear seats and go-anywhere styling cues.
Shop used Citroen C5 X cars for sale or read our Citroen C5 X review
Cupra Born
The Cupra Born is a sportier version of the Volkswagen ID.3, and you can get both of these electric hatchbacks within budget. We'd pick the Cupra on balance, because it has a more interesting and posh-feeling interior. Its sporty styling is a little more eye-catching, too. Even the basic Born is fun to drive, feeling a bit more darty than the VW, and nippy acceleration is a given. Resist the urge to appease your inner hooligan and you'll get around 230 miles to a charge in real-world driving.
Shop used Cupra Born cars for sale or read our Cupra Born review
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 £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £300 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £400 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.
