10 of the best cars for under £250 per month | November 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.

Skoda Karoq

• Impressively versatile
• 1.0 engine is ideally matched to Karoq
• Satisfying to drive

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

Hyundai Tucson

• More spacious than many SUVs
• One of the boldest-looking cars launched in recent years
• Lots of standard equipment

Some recent Hyundai Tucson models are now dropping below £250 per month, so it seems the perfect time to swoop on Hyundai's immensely popular family SUV. Your money buys a petrol-engined example in the SE Connect trim level, which features a reversing camera, built-in sat nav, two-zone climate control and lots of safety kit. And lots of space, too: the Tucson is massive inside and has plenty of luggage capacity for all your stuff. As midsize SUVs go, the Tucson is one of the very best.

Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review

Nissan Qashqai

• Multi-talented SUV is an easy choice
• Styling has taken a step up
• Built in Britain

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-5

• Premium interior
• Fun to drive for an SUV
• Eye-catching design

The Mazda CX-5 is good value on the second-hand market. Its styling is smooth and curvy, with details that catch the light as if they're liquid metal.

The Mazda has one of the best interiors of any midsize 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-5 cars for sale, or read our Mazda CX-5 review

Ford Focus

• Economical and fun to drive
• Choice of petrol and diesel engines
• Excellent legroom

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

Volkswagen T-Roc

• Goldilocks SUV in VW's range
• Still easy to manoeuvre
• Lots available on the used market

The T-Roc has become an integral part of VW's range since it was launched in 2017. It's easy to see why: this sub-4.4-metre-long car slots in between the Golf and Tiguan, and it's the perfect size for many buyers. Plus, you get trendier styling than the comparatively plain Golf and a higher ride height – aiding access and giving you a better view out. With an interior that's intuitive, and a roomy cabin, the T-Roc has the Golf beaten for ease of use and practicality.

Shop used Volkswagen T-Roc cars for sale or read our Volkswagen T-Roc review

Audi A3

• Posher cabin than most family hatchbacks
• Digital dials are slick and crisp
• Modest engines keep running costs low

You could get a Volkswagen Golf or similar for your monthly car budget, or you could get the premium alternative  instead. The A3's interior is not only trimmed with nicer materials than VW uses, but the layout and tech are easier to get on with as well. Even an entry-level model gets Audi's superb Virtual Cockpit dials, plus a host of assistance features that make long-distance driving a relaxing endeavour. Hatchback and saloon models are available.

Shop used Audi A3 cars for sale or read our Audi A3 review

Peugeot 2008

• Roomier than you might expect
• Bold colours available
• Fuel-powered and electric options

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.

You can find examples of the larger Peugeot 3008 for this money, too.

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

MG4

• Sharply styled family hatch
• Strong range figures
• Simple-to-use interior

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

Hyundai i20

• Strongly styled inside and out
• Big car tech
• Simple engine choice

The Hyundai i20 distils everything we like from larger Hyundais into an easier-to-park shape. Sharp creases and eye-catching details make the i20 stand out, while the straked interior trim puts us in mind of a 1980s Ferrari. The tech is bang up to date, though, with the i20 almost straining with the equipment and gadgets on board. Recently launched Black Line models get moody accents, LED headlights and heated seats, while top-spec Tech Line adds wireless phone charging and keyless entry. Both are available for under £250 per month on a 2026 example with just a few thousand miles on the clock.

Shop used Hyundai i20 cars for sale or read our Hyundai i20 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.