Used Car Hunter: small economical hatchbacks for £8,000
Our Car Hunter has £8,000 for a small diesel hatch with low running costs, but which one?
Dear Auto Express, I’m looking for a diesel supermini that’s cheap to insure and costs under £8,000. What do you suggest? - Bill Richards, E-mail
When it comes to small and efficient cars, you can’t get much better than a supermini. Not only are they practical, reliable and as at home in town as on the open road, they’re also cost-effective to buy and run. While it may not be the fashionable fuel it once was, diesel remains a great way to minimise costs over higher mileages.
With the fuel economy and insurance costs already in mind, it’s also worth thinking about other key factors before buying a supermini. A solid service history is key with diesels, and how the car has been used in the past matters, too. Lots of short trips can lead to problems such as blocked DPFs (Diesel Particulate Filters). Space and comfort vary more than you might expect in the supermini class, and equipment levels can make a big difference to the day-to-day ownership experience.
Here's our expert pick of the three best used small economical hatchbacks for a budget of £8,000, together with links to buy one through the Auto Express Buy a Car service…
Ford Fiesta - the fun choice
- For: Great to drive, good infotainment, plenty of choice
- Against: Higher-mileage examples at this price
If you want to put a smile on your face as well as save a few pennies at the fuel pumps and service centre, then the Ford Fiesta is hard to beat. With its quick steering and agile handling, this supermini is great fun to drive, plus the torquey 1.5-litre diesel engine is smooth and refined.
Within budget, there’s a 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 Zetec TDCi (85bhp, 65.7mpg, 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds). This Fiesta has covered a little over 46,000 miles and sneaks in under budget with a price just shy of £7,700.
Ford gave this Fiesta a smart, well built interior. There’s lots of standard kit and, like its rivals, it comes in three and five-door form. Whichever you go for, there’s more space in the rear than in the Peugeot 208. The Ford’s 292-litre boot is also the biggest here.
The Ford Fiesta’s popularity in the UK is helped by the car’s low insurance premiums, with Titanium models the second lowest rated here, in group nine. Even the sporty ST-Line model with the 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine only falls into group 14, which is lower than similarly powerful Peugeots and Vauxhalls.
Peugeot 208 - the stylish choice
- For: Looks good, well equipped, low running costs
- Against: Short of performance, cramped in the rear
Few small cars are as stylish as the Peugeot 208, which is packed with the brand’s trademark French design flair. It’s not as engaging to drive as the Ford Fiesta, but with light controls and a soft ride, it’s a relaxing choice.
We’ve found a 2014 Peugeot 208 Allure with the 1.6-litre e-HDi diesel engine (92bhp, 78.5mpg, 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds). It’s quicker to 62mph than both the Ford and Vauxhall, yet still offers excellent claimed fuel economy and sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. This example is priced just under £5,500 and has covered fewer than 31,000 miles.
The 208 feels surprisingly upmarket, yet the i-Cockpit layout, with its high-set dials and small wheel can be awkward, as can the infotainment. The Peugeot is also the most cramped in the rear, although its 285-litre boot matches the Corsa’s.
This Peugeot 208 attracts the highest insurance rating here, although its group 17 placing is still low.
Vauxhall Corsa - the sensible choice
- For: Good performance and fuel economy, lots of kit
- Against: Not as entertaining to drive, looks dated
It lacks the fun of the Fiesta or head-turning style of the 208, but the Vauxhall Corsa still has plenty going for it. Composed driving dynamics and a cushioned ride give it a grown-up feel on the move, while its standard six-speed gearbox makes it the most comfortable on the motorway.
We found, through the Auto Express Buy A Car service, a 1.3-litre CDTi ecoFLEX (75bhp, 72.4mpg, 0-62mph in 14.8 seconds). This particular Corsa is a 2017 model with just over 46,000 miles that will set you back just under £6,400.
While the Corsa’s interior looks smart, it’s not as upmarket as the Ford’s and the infotainment is less intuitive. However, there’s plenty of standard equipment and the 285-litre boot is on par with the Peugeot’s – but there’s no split-fold facility.
For the lowest insurance premiums the Vauxhall Corsa is hard to beat, with this the 74bhp 1.3 CDTi Design sitting in group six.
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