Used automatic cars with low road tax

By Ben Welham

Last updated: 26 March 2025

What used auto cars have cheap road tax?

Browsing the massive range of used automatic cars with low road tax on the market is a hefty job.

There are plenty of models that are cheap to tax, but which are actually worth buying?

If you’re in the market for an automatic car with cheap road tax, you’ll want to consider what other features are important to you.

Do you want a spacious SUV, a compact city car, or something with a luxury edge?

To help you out, here’s a list of the best used automatic cars with low road tax to look at.

Best used auto cars with low road tax

• Ford Fiesta

• Audi A3

• Fiat 500

• Nissan Qashqai

• Toyota Aygo

• Mercedes GLA

• Honda Civic

Factors affecting road tax in automatic cars

There are a few different ways road tax is calculated, depending on the age of the car.

As of April 2025, the standard rate road tax for cars registered after March 2017 is £195 for the year.

That includes electric cars, which no longer get free tax.

Cars registered before March 2017 and after March 2001 will pay road tax based on emissions - with lower emissions meaning lower tax.

Cars that cost more than £40,000 will have to pay a premium car fee of £425 per year.

The best used automatic cars with low road tax

There’s a massive range of used automatic cars with low road tax to choose from, and you don’t just have to choose a city car.

Take a look at some of the best options on the market.

Ford Fiesta (2018 onwards)

• Annual road tax after 2017: £195

A used Ford Fiesta can be a perfect fit for a seriously wide range of motorists.

It’s comfortable, spacious, practical and easy to drive – so it’s no surprise it was the bestselling new car in the UK for many years.

The automatic gearbox makes it even easier to get around in, and EcoBoost engine options help you keep running costs low.

You can get up to 51.4mpg with the EcoBoost models. That’s if you can resist putting your foot down and enjoying the Fiesta’s famously fun driving dynamics.

• Read our Ford Fiesta review

Audi A3 (2020 onwards)

• Annual road tax after 2017: £195

You’d be forgiven for thinking that premium cars like the Audi A3 would be expensive to tax, but they can actually be very reasonable.

The A3 has a loyal following thanks to its suave looks and smooth drive, and the automatic gearbox only adds to the refinement.

Road tax sits at the standard £195 and you won’t get stung by fuel costs, either. The 35 TFSI seven-speed S tronic automatic model is good for up to 49.6mpg.

Go for the hybrid model to ramp up the savings further. The A3 TFSI e boasts fuel economy as high as 282.5mpg combined and gets the £10 road tax discount.

• Read our Audi A3 review

Fiat 500 (2018 onwards)

• Annual road tax after 2017: £195

We challenge you to make it two minutes around a town centre without spotting a Fiat 500 – and there’s good reason why they’re so popular.

These cute little city cars will only cost you the standard rate road tax.

500s are also seriously frugal – up to 60.1mpg with the 1.0-litre petrol engine and 199-mile range with the 500e.

It’s an ideal daily driver with plenty of charm, but automatic models can be harder to find as they’re in demand.

• Read our Fiat 500 review

Nissan Qashqai (2021 onwards)

• Annual road taxafter 2017: £195

King of the SUVs, the Nissan Qashqai is an automatic car with low road tax that has plenty of appeal for families and those who need extra space.

Not only is it reliable and safe, with a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, it’s great value for money and cheap to run.

If you really want to be impressed with the efficiency, opt for the Qashqai E-Power. It’s easy and comfortable to drive and saves you a nice bit of fuel, claiming up to 53.3mpg.

A Qashqai will usually land between insurance groups 11 and 26, so it shouldn’t be too expensive in that sense either.

• Read our Nissan Qashqai review

Toyota Aygo (2017 onwards)

• Annual road tax after 2017: £195

The Toyota Aygo is a used automatic car with low road tax that will do right by you. It has the famous Toyota reliability and it’s cheap to run.

For city commuters who want a stress-free and cost-effective daily drive, the Aygo offers up to 54.3mpg from the automatic models.

With a 168-litre boot – growing to 754 litres with the seats folded – it’s also more practical than you might think.

• Read our Toyota Aygo review

Mercedes GLA (2020 onwards)

• Annual road tax (models under £40,000 list price and after 2017): £195

Mercedes just knows how to get an SUV right every time, and the GLA sticks to that theme.

You’d be surprised to know just how cheap they can be to tax, but watch that you choose a model that costs less than £40,000 from brand-new to dodge the premium car tax.

That might mean fewer flashy extras, but you’ll still have a premium car and it’ll be more affordable.

Pick the automatic to make a style-conscious family SUV even more luxurious.

• Read our Mercedes GLA review

Honda Civic e:HEV (2022 onwards)

• Annual road tax after 2017: £195

The Civic e:HEV is an automatic car with low road tax that shows Honda’s infamous hatchback can do it all.

You can get all the driving enjoyment you need but without the higher running costs of the performance model.

With up to 56.5mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, the 11th generation Civic is frugal but still plenty of fun.

In fact, you can get from 0-62mph in just 7.8 seconds and its handling keeps some of the character from the performance version.

Thanks to its reliable reputation the Civic e:HEV is ideal for daily life when you want something great to drive that can still be dependable.

• Read our Honda Civic review

Other ways to save

Choosing a used automatic car with low road tax is a great first step towards making savings on running costs.

You might also be tempted to choose a used car with impressive fuel economy – these are usually smaller petrol engines or diesel models.

Electric cars and hybrid models can be a bit more expensive to buy, but you’ll save money on fuel.

Don’t forget to check the insurance group your car falls into as well, our the Vehicle Risk Ratings.

Car insurance is based on individual factors as well, like where the car is stored and your annual mileage, but insurance groups are a good indicator of how expensive it’s likely to be.

Keeping costs low on your car doesn’t have to be a faff if you consider these factors. It’s easy to find a model that suits your needs but doesn’t blow your budget.

Take a look at our full range of used automatic cars to find more options.

Read more about car tax:

• How much is road tax in the UK?

• The best cars with low road tax