Getting a cheap economical car is all well and good, until you have to pay hundreds in maintenance costs each month, offsetting your savings on fuel. Fortunately, Matt from High Peak Autos recently made a video that sheds some light on the right fuel-efficient cars to get under 3K that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to maintain.
Now, getting a car under £3,000 is entirely dependant on the car, year, miles, and the condition it’s in. Your car doesn’t have to be under £3,000, you can adjust your budget and tailor your spending to your needs.
If you’re looking to maintain your fuel-efficient car, you might want to check out our essential maintenance tips for beginners article.
Video: Fuel efficient cars you should buy
All video credit goes to High Peak Autos on YouTube
This video is a deep dive into just what you can get for that kind of budget, and exactly which makes and models to avoid. As always, the cars to avoid aren’t necessarily bad cars, they might involve more cost, or have more maintenance issues. Some of the most fun cars I have ever driven are prone to breaking down, you just have to be ready to take on the risk.
Fuel-efficient cars under £3000
Here we will outline the cars recommended by Matt from High Peak Autos in the video above. These are not ALL of the cars recommended, but I feel as though these are the best.
VW Polo
Image credit: Wikipedia
Matt described the Polo as “A decent car if you’re worried about fuel”, but he also went on to say “they are as slow as you like”
- Example price: 2012 Polo, 153,409 miles for £2,495.
- MPG: 80+ (extra urban)
- Engine power: 75ps
- Engine size: 1.2
VW Passat
Image credit: MotorTrend
Another entry on the list from Volkswagen, the Passat is the Polo on steroids, if you don’t fancy a little hatchback. The saloon version you see in the vide was discontinued back in 2022, but there’s still plenty of them around on the second hand market.
If you want something that can tank 66 litres of fuel, do about 60mpg and look like the limo version of a Polo, then this might be the car for you. Not to mention Matt described the Passat as a “good solid car really” and there isn’t a bigger seal of approval from a British person.
- Example price: 2012 Passat, 153,177 miles for £2,195
- MPG: 60+ (extra urban)
- Engine power: 105ps
- Engine size: 1.6
Citroen DS3
Image credit: Gold Cars LTD
Matt went on to say: “I’m not a big fan of Citroen, but I do quite like the DS”. If you’re looking for something French and a little bit nipper than the Polo, and less tank-like then the Passat, then the DS3 might be for you.
- Example price: 2011 DS3, 82,000 mile for £2,495
- MPG: 60+ (extra urban)
- Engine power: 110ps
- Engine size: 1.6
Renault Clio
Image credit: Cars 4 You
The Clio isn’t everyone’s favourite, particularly for electrical reasons, but Renault has done a lot to improve the cars overall, now the Clio finds itself in the running for one of the best economical cars you can buy.
Matt describes Renault as “Quite a good car” when describing the 2014 onward era of Renault Clio. And if you want something that’s capable of 60+mpg and outputs around 90ps, then this may just be the car you’re looking for. I must admit, that the newer models of Clio have quite a stylish demeanour.
- Example price: 2014 Clio, 83,000 miles for £2,999
- MPG: 60+
- Engine power: 90ps
- Engine size: 1.5
Ford Focus
Image credit: Wikipedia
- Example price: 2011 Focus, 93,000 miles for £2,490
- MPG: 60+
- Engine power: 115ps
- Engine size: 1.6
FAQs
Peugeot 208 1.5 Blue HDi – 71.4mpg
This is one of the hybrid models from Peugeot launched in 2019, capable of just over 70mpg.
Yes, any fuel efficiency over 40mpg is considered very good fuel economy. You generally trade-off fuel economy for fun and power, so be wary your ultra-eco car might be a little slower than you’d like.
Why Choose Fuel-Efficient Cars Under £3000?
Saving money on fuel costs is not the only benefit of owning a fuel-efficient car under £3000. These cars have lower emissions, which makes them kinder to the environment. Additionally, many of these cars are cheaper to insure, making them a smart choice for beginner drivers. Moreover, these cars often require less maintenance, which means you can save money in the long run. By choosing one of these fuel-efficient cars under £3000, you are making a smart financial and environmental decision that you can feel proud of.
