I’m a motors expert – here are the best cars you can buy for under £2,000 with WON’T guzzle your fuel

A MOTORS expert has published a list of the best cars you can buy for under £2,000 that won’t eat up all your fuel.

JB, from CarswithJB youtubeposted a video featuring a range of cheap and fun rides to enjoy on a budget.

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With the cost of living crisis worsening and gas prices soaring with inflation, JB’s advice couldn’t come at a better time.

Renault Clio

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First, he recommended the popular family classic Renault Clio.

The 1.2-litre inline four isn’t as thirsty as many other hatchbacks, but it still gets you there with a 0-60 time of 10.6 seconds.

JB said: “It’s the fastest car on the list, but it still does 51 miles per gallon (mpg) and costs £135 a year in road tax.”

“It’s the perfect first car, but if it’s not too small it can double as a family sedan.”

Within budget, motorists should aim for the third-generation models from around £1,800 online.

Fiat Grande Punto

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With a similar engine to the Renault, the Fiat is a few seconds behind the pace but is a little more economical at 52mpg.

The costs are also identical in terms of vehicle tax, so that the overall price-performance ratio is still good.

JB added, “An odd fact is that when they were released they had the highest safety standards… but when they were re-tested in 2012, they got zero stars.”

He surmised that this was likely due to a lack of updates to safety features between the car’s debut in 2005 and its re-test seven years later.

The Grande Punto is available for around £1,500, while newer, high-mileage examples cost £2,000.

However, JB warned that “build quality” issues could lead to some dangerous defects, including a steering failure.

mini hatch

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Equal to the Clio in terms of speed, the Mini Hatch has its unique British heritage.

Earlier models can be found online for as little as £1,000, but these models should have high mileage.

JB stated, “It’s advertised at 53mpg…I can attest that these are very solid little cars.”

“The only downside is that it’s a four-seater instead of a five-seater, which is a little less practical.

“But I would call it one of the nicest cars on the list, and if you find a first example, it’s even more economical.”

Skoda Citigo

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A slightly smaller engine powers the Citigo, with a snappy 1-litre inline three-cylinder capable of 0-60 acceleration in 13.9 seconds.

With an annual bill of £165, it’s also more expensive from a tax point of view, but more economical than the previous options at 55mpg.

JB said: “It’s not my thing because it’s so small, and I might only recommend it as a city car geared towards short trips.”

“But I like how easy it is, with all the amenities you need as a driver, nothing more nothing less.”

It’s also more expensive to buy, with basic models available online for just under £2,000.

Ford KA

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Back to the in-line fours: the Ford is still a bit sluggish, hitting 60 mph in 13 seconds.

It’s a bargain in terms of running costs though, with a tax burden of just £30 and an economy fare of 57mpg.

However, JB said that co-developing the model with the Fiat 500 led to common problems, including engine problems and corrosion.

Meanwhile, the initial acquisition costs are high, with a starting price of just under £2,000.

Kia Picanto

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The slowest car on the list with a 0-60 acceleration of just 14.6 seconds.

However, again the tax is just £30 and consumption is a generous 58mpg.

It was originally marketed by rally legend Marcus Granholm, but JB said it drove more like a city car.

Base models are around £1,000, with numerous options under £2,000.

Peugeot 107

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JB perhaps summed up this model best when he said, “I had to bring the Peugeot 107 back into this video given how incredible the running costs really are.”

And that’s incredible: they cost just £20 in tax and consume a whopping 61mpg.

He added that the Toyota engine was “known for its reliability” under the Peugeot shell, but cited issues related to trunk space and water leakage.

Still on the low end for just £1,000, many will find this a great deal.

Hyundai I10

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Back on the faster side, with a 0-60 of 11.8 seconds, the Hyundai costs £20 for the annual tax, like the Peugeot, and comes in at 61mpg.

JB said, “This is the sister car to the aforementioned Kia Picanto.”

“Although they feel very cheap, they are the epitome of cheap and cheerful.”

However, they start at the £2,000 limit, putting them at the pricier end of the list.

Nissan Pixel

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The Pixo is another slower option but tops out at 65mpg and still only costs £20 road tax.

JB said, “What made the Pixo famous for me was its appearance on Top Gear.”

They cost at least £1,500, 2010 models £2,000.

Suzuki Alto

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As a sister car to the Pixo with the same frame and powertrain, the Suzuki just outperforms it by being 0.5 seconds faster and sharing the same excellent economy.

JB announced that it was originally designed for the Indian market but came to Europe shortly after.

It was even built in response to rising prices after the 2008 financial crisis, making it ideal for today’s troubled times.

The Alto is available online for around £1,900 but given its affordability it’s a bargain in terms of running costs.