London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone, or ULEZ, expanded in August 2023 and it now covers all 32 Boroughs of London within the M25 – roughly 580 square miles. Thousands of commuters are denied some of the cheapest, most economical used diesel cars in theory – but there are still plenty of affordable used car options to keep you on the road.
In basic terms, diesel cars prior to 2015 and the majority of petrols built before 2006 are now subject to a £12.50 per day charge to enter the ULEZ zone. And unlike the congestion zone, it is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. There are many cars that fall outside of this (including some older diesel models), though – so it’s not completely cut and dried. Before buying a used car, you should check its registration on the TfL website.
Because the government goes by the mandatory date for emissions standards to be met, many people are simply unaware of just how many cars remain ULEZ-compliant. There are many good reasons for choosing the newest, cleanest second hand car – but if you’re looking for a ULEZ-friendly bargain it’s surprisingly easy to find a good car for less than the £2,000 scrappage allowance being offered to everyone who lives in London.
Scroll down for our list of some of the best ULEZ-compliant cars for £2,000 or less.
Best ULEZ-compliant cars for less than £2,000
Roomy, cheap to buy, and surprisingly good to drive
When new it was a fashionable, upmarket urban car but fell out of favour quickly – now it’s a bargain supermini with a distinctive style and unique abilities. Buy automatic versions with care, but the petrol engine and manual gearbox combination is generally reliable.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz A-Class review
Good fun, open-topped driving for very little money
There aren’t that many around, so you’ll need to scane the owner’s club and small ads to find one, and don’t be tempted to buy ones from optimistic ‘classic Ford’ dealers. The good news is that there are examples from £750 if you’re prepared to work on your car, with even the best ones struggling to better £3,000… for now.
If the roadster life is tempting, we can also recommend the Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170). A surprising number of early models are ULEZ compliant, particularly the SLK 200.
Read our full Ford StreetKa review
Stylish, proven mechanicals, cheap to buy
It was on sale new until 2018, so parts and spares supply should be good – and sharing tech with the Fiat 500 means most garages will be able to service it without drama. As usual, best cast your net to the small ads and small, independent dealers and avoid overpriced examples on finance.
Read our full Alfa Romeo Mito review
Great driver’s car, but avoid thrashed examples
It’s well worth looking at for rural areas though. Low mileage ULEZ victims are a bargain, and cheap to run. Like all cars in this price range, the best place to find good examples is with genuine small dealers, relatives, and the small ads. Remember also, try to avoid badly modified and thrashed examples.
Read our full Ford Fiesta (Mk6) review
It’s a family car, but with added fizz
Obviously, it’s an old Alfa, so although it’s nowhere near as bad as pub bores might suggest, there are one or two issues. The interior and electrics are fragile in places, and it’s already becoming rare, which might make finding parts difficult. But it’s a distinctive alternative to an Audi or Volkswagen that still projects an image of Italian stylishness.
Read our full Alfa Romeo 147 review
Small, stylish and surprisingly easy to run
Being pretty much identical to the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 under the skin means keeping one on the road is simplicity itself, with plentiful, cheap parts available. Watch out for rusty front wings, tired engines and signs of abuse, buy from an enthusiast, and you should be able to find a tidy example for less than £2,000.
Read our full Audi A3 review
Maybe not the ultimate driving machine, but pretty good
There are lots of examples still on the road, and that means parts and support is plentiful. Prices for used parts are good, dealer stock less so. Watch out for rusty sills and crash damage, and always buy from someone you trust.
Read our full BMW 1 Series review
Bulletproof open-topped fun
They’re still temptingly cheap, too, not being swept away by the modern classic boom (yet). How cheap? £2,000 will still get an MoT’d 2002-on MR2 Roadster, though budget another £800 for a hardtop if you’re parking it in the street. Issues? Again – watch out for accident damage.
Read our full Toyota MR2 review
Left-field choice – with the full open-topped experience
There are small diesel models, but you need to ignore these for obvious reasons. Good job that most survivors are petrol and cost from less than £2,000 for a clean example. Our advice is to check the roof rails and seals, ideally buy from a long-term private owner, and join an owners’ club or community foir the best support.
Read our full Citroen C3 Pluriel review
Fast Ford in saloon or estate form is a great drive
However, the ST220’s reputation for expensive repairs is justified, and this will be a fact of life if you choose a badly-maintained, neglected example. However, at this price you could have the engine rebuilt and still be paying less than any comparable new car’s PCP deposit…
Read our full Ford Mondeo (2000-2007) review
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars as well as reading and writing about them.
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