Cheapest cars to maintain in the UK
Take a look at some of the cheapest cars to maintain in the UK that are still fun to own
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 19 June 2025
The cheapest cars to maintain don’t have to feel that way – there are plenty of dependable models that are of great quality out there.
If you’re looking for something that’s reasonable on running costs, you’ll want a car that has impressive fuel efficiency, cheap and easily available parts, and quality that’s built to last.
We’ve put together a list of some of the cheapest used cars to maintain in the UK in our guide below.
What cars are cheap to maintain?
Ford Fiesta
Nissan Micra
SEAT Mii
Volkswagen up!
Skoda Citigo
Toyota Prius
Honda Jazz
Nissan Juke
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The cheapest used cars to maintain in the UK
Ford Fiesta
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The Ford Fiesta is one of the most popular cars in the UK – and that makes it nice and cheap to upkeep.
Parts are easy to come by, and knowledge of the car is vast, so you won’t have any issues with keeping on top of maintenance.
Fords are known to be reliable, and the Fiesta scored the full five stars in its now expired Euro NCAP safety rating.
The Fiesta has since been discontinued so can only be found on the used market, which means there are great deals to be had.
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Toyota Prius
 "Toyota Prius driving")
Reliability is probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of the Toyota Prius. Toyota regularly tops reliability surveys, and the Prius is getting plenty of praise in the reviews and forums.
Don’t be concerned about the added hybrid tech in the Prius. Hybrid system parts can sometimes be pricey, but it’s rare that they need replacing.
Wear and tear parts are cheap to replace as well – like your brakes and tyres. They’re easy to get hold of, and garages will have experience with these popular models.
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Nissan Micra
 "Nissan Micra front")
If the Nissan Micra is one thing, it’s impressively reliable. Known for its solid build and almost indestructible feel, the Micra is a car that’ll last you a good while.
Parts for the Micra are cheap and easy to get hold off. Prices for tyres can be as low as £50 per wheel, and a set of brake discs and pads can cost around £70.
Fuel efficiency is impressive also, with the 1.0-litre engine getting up to 53.3mpg from the manual gearbox.
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SEAT Mii
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The SEAT Mii is one of a trio of cars that are all based on the same platform (alongside the VW up! and Skoda Citigo), making them cheap and easy to maintain. This one is the mid-range option for price and tech.
As the Volkswagen Group have reused the same tech across all three cars, there are plenty of parts available and knowledge of the model is vast.
I’ve been driving a SEAT Mii for the past three years and it’s been the most painless car ownership I’ve had.
Fuel efficiency is something to shout about too, with the 1.0-litre engine capable of up to 67.2mpg.
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Volkswagen up!
 "Volkswagen Up driving")
The second of the triplets is the VW up! - which stands as the priciest model of the group but is the cheapest and smallest car that VW currently make. It’s slightly flashier than the Citigo and Mii, but still cheap to maintain.
Where VW-branded parts might typically be more expensive than standard, the up! can use kit from Citigo and Mii models that can be cheaper.
The up! is also super efficient, with all models claiming over 54mpg (apart from the GTI which is thirstier).
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Skoda Citigo
 "Skoda Citigo front three quarters")
The lovely little Skoda Citigo is typically the cheapest of the VW Group city car offerings, but it isn’t lacking compared to the others.
Again, it’s cheap parts that are easy to find and fit. Skoda does well as a manufacturer for reliability and has a reputation for building cars that can be relied on.
Pair this with tried-and-true tech that spans across three different cars, and you know the Citigo can be depended on.
The entry-level Citigo engine is a 1.0-litre with 58hp, and that’ll get up to 55.4mpg based on the official stats.
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Honda Jazz
 "Honda Jazz front")
The Honda Jazz is another Japanese model with an impressive reliability reputation. They sit high on reliability surveys and the forum feedback is strong, so you’re not going to be constantly in and out of the garage.
Each part of the Jazz feels well made, and it gets even more attractive when you consider that all engines claim over 60mpg fuel efficiency.
You can find a full set of brake pads and discs from prices starting around £100, and tyres can be inexpensive as well if you don’t go too flashy.
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Nissan Juke
 "Nissan Juke front three quarters")
The Nissan Juke is a bit of a change from the rest of the cars on this list. It’s an SUV with a 422-litre boot, so ideal for families.
The Juke gets that Japanese reliablility we keep going on about, and also has a three-year/60,000-mile warranty from brand-new.
The popularity of the Juke means it’s easy to find cheap parts and knowledge of the car is vast. Upkeep should be pain-free and reasonably priced.
The 1.0-litre petrol model gets up to 46mpg, while the Juke Hybrid gets up to 58.9mpg - so you won’t be overspending on fuel.
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Explore used cars for sale
The cheapest cars to maintain don’t have to feel budget and boring. There are plenty of options that have inexpensive parts and maintenance, are easy on fuel and are known to be reliable.
These are some of our favourite models, but there are plenty of other options to consider. Take a look at used Nissan, Skoda, Toyota and Ford models for great value cars.
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