10 of the best cars for under £250 per month | May 2026

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

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.

If the Focus isn't quite trendy enough, the best-selling Puma is also widely available for under £250 per month.

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

Peugeot 2008

A superb compact family car, the Peugeot 2008 packs a lot in and doesn't ask a lot in return. It's plenty spacious and has a big boot for its size, while further forward the interior is more premium than most small SUVs – and more interestingly designed, too. Then we get to the exterior, which is just as style-led with an intricate grille, LED strakes and arresting alloy wheels. You'll find petrol, diesel and fully electric options available, and mid-spec models just a couple of years old are widely available within budget.

Shop used Peugeot 2008 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 2008 review

MG3

The MG3 is one of the smaller cars on this list, but it's also one of the newest. You can pick up a top-spec Trophy model that's just a few months old for well under budget – and it's not because the 3 is a bad car. Far from it – the hybrid MG3 is one of our favourite superminis. It's impressively economical – a necessity when petrol prices are so high – but powerful too, and blissfully easy to drive. Standard equipment is generous, including heated leatherette seats, LED headlights, keyless entry and a 360-degree parking camera. And it's all wrapped up with the remainder of MG's seven-year warranty. A swing and a hit.

Shop used MG3 cars for sale or read our MG3 review

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 for sale or read our used Citroen C5 Aircross review

Bonus: a 26-plate Citroen e-C3

The new 26 registration plate has only been out a couple of months, but you can already take advantage of big savings by choosing a delivery mileage Citroen e-C3. It'll do nearly 200 miles on a charge, it's easygoing and it's quite practical – and it's under £15,000 from Motorpoint. If you're after a cheap car that's seriously cheap to run, the Citroen e-C3 is it.

Shop used Citroen e-C3 cars for sale or read our Citroen e-C3 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.