Four fuel efficient motors you can buy for under £3k that’ll save you £100s every year… including stylish Renault
THERE are plenty of factors Brits look at when trying to buy a used car.
From top speed, to headline price and even insurance cost, different drivers all look for different things.
Perhaps one of the most underappreciated, though, is fuel economy, which can actually save you hundreds every year.
Opting for a less thirsty motor that’ll do closer to 60mpg than 40 could have a real impact, especially as petrol prices soar back over 150p per litre.
With that in mind, Matthew Goodwin, who owns High Peak Autos in Stockport, Greater Manchester, ran through some of the most fuel efficient used cars you can pick up for under £3,000
In a video on his YouTube channel he said: “It’s a new month and I’ve just had my fuel bill through from my local petrol stations.
“It made me feel physically sick.
“This got me thinking, what are the most fuel efficient cars you can buy used?”
VW Polo
Model years: 1975-present
Example price: 2012 Polo with 153,409 miles for £2,495
The Polo is one of the most popular superminis of all time, shown by the fact that VW has seen fit to keep it in production for almost half a century.
It’ll do 58mpg when driving in a city and can even touch 83mpg when cruising along A-roads.
With an ample 45-litre tank, it’ll only cost around £70 to fill from empty and could last you over 800 miles at maximum range.
Citroen DS3
Model years: 2009-present
Example price: 2011 DS3 with 82,000 mile for £2,495
While Matt admitted he “isn’t a huge Citroen fan”, he couldn’t deny the DS3’s exceptional affordability.
It’s not quite as economical as the Polo but it will manage a very respectable 62mpg at the higher end.
With 44-litre tank, about £65 could buy you upwards of 550-miles of range.
VW Passat
Model years: 1975-2022
Example price: 2012 Passat with 153,177 miles for £2,195
The estate version of the Passat is still in production but the saloon variant that Matthew found was sadly discontinued in 2022.
One of the cheaper cars on the list, it’s about as efficient as the DS3 but provides a bit more car for less money.
As a result, the tank can reach up to 66-litres which, at 60mpg, means about 870 miles at a per tank cost just under £100.
Renault Clio
Model years: 1990-present
Example price: 2014 Clio with 83,000 miles for £2,999
The “stylish” Clio was described by Matt as “quite nice to drive” and “cheap to run.”
However, he warned: “It’s not that exciting but we’re not after excitement here…we’re after fuel economy.”
Like the Passat, it’ll do about 60mpg, but it’s 42-lite tank is the smallest on the list.
Overall though, around £60 worth of petrol will still get you about 650 miles on a single tank.