Top 10: Best Used Cars with Zero Road Tax to Pay

If keeping your running costs to a minimum is a priority when searching for your next car, then you may be interested to know that there are plenty of tax free cars available for you to choose from.

To help you with your search, we've highlighted our favourite zero road tax cars that you can buy on the used market.

It's worth noting that the laws surrounding road tax have changed several times in recent years, so any petrol or diesel cars featured here will be from before 2017, whilst electric cars remain unaffected until later in 2025.

Nissan Qashqai

If you're in the market for a family SUV, then the Nissan Qashqai is an excellent place to start your search.

To ensure your road tax is free, you'll need to opt for a version that's fitted with a 1.5-diesel engine. It's not big on performance, but it's more than usable for everyday driving, and it can deliver over 70 miles per gallon (mpg) on a combined cycle.

The Qashqai has been a strong seller in the UK for some time now, meaning there's a wide selection of them on the used car market at any given time, so finding one that meets your requirements won't be an issue.

Audi A3

Choosing a car with zero road tax doesn't mean you're choosing substance over style; the Audi A3 is testament to that.

To benefit from free road tax, you'll need to opt for a model fitted with a 1.6-litre diesel engine. This unit offers over 70mpg on a combined cycle, so you'll benefit from lower running costs at the fuel pumps.

An extra bonus is that later models meet Euro 6 standards, meaning you won't need to pay to enter the likes of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London.

In addition to the stylish appearance and excellent efficiency, Audi is synonymous with high build quality, which reflects in the A3's interior design.

Peugeot 108

Peugeot engineered the 108 with affordable running costs in mind, so it's no surprise that these city cars can reward their owners with zero road tax.

You can opt for a version fitted with a 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engine and still benefit from no tax, but our pick of the pair is the larger 1.2-litre because it offers slightly more performance without hurting fuel economy too much (68.9mpg versus 65.7mpg combined).

The 108 isn't the largest car in the world, so it's not the best choice if you have a large family. However, if you spend most of your time driving around town and need occasional space for passengers, then it's a great choice.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf remains a firm favourite among UK motorists, meaning you have plenty of choice when searching for one on the used market.

Most of the choices available will have the same 1.6-litre diesel engine that's fitted to the Audi A3 that's mentioned earlier on in this article. With a smidgen under 75mpg possible on a combined cycle, the fuel economy is impressive.

However, if you're willing to increase your budget slightly, you can opt for a 1.4-litre petrol engine with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, allowing you to achieve over 160mpg with the batteries fully charged.

Typical of a modern Volkswagen, the build quality is exceptional throughout, with high levels of refinement on offer regardless of your engine choice.

Toyota Yaris

Low running costs and excellent reliability go hand-in-hand, making it easy to recommend a Toyota Yaris.

You'll be able to choose between a 1.4-litre diesel or a 1.0-litre petrol. The latter is a little lethargic on the open road, so you're better off going for the diesel unless you drive exclusively in the local area or in towns.

Either way, you'll see well over 60mpg on a combined cycle with either engine. The Yaris doesn't exceed insurance group 12 (with 50 being the highest and most expensive), making it a great choice if you want a car with cheap insurance.

Ford Fiesta

Although Ford announced they're no longer selling the Fiesta as a new car, you won't struggle to find a used one due to their popularity over the years.

The most common version you'll find are the vehicles fitted with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. It's the one to have, though, since it offers excellent everyday performance and over 60mpg combined.

Servicing costs are very reasonable, since the Fiesta was always pitched as an affordable supermini. As the UK's leading Ford retailer, you can benefit from excellent servicing rates through your nearest Evans Halshaw Ford dealership.

Kia e-Niro

Kia has become a big player within the electric vehicle segment in recent times, with the e-Niro showcasing a blend of efficiency and performance.

The majority of models you'll find on the market will be fitted with a 64kWh battery pack, which can provide up to 282 miles of range on a full charge. Despite the excellent everyday range available, this version of the e-Niro produces a shade over 200bhp. This means owners can achieve 0 to 62mph in just 7.5 seconds.

Whilst this figure may not be totally relevant in everyday driving, the performance does make the e-Niro effortless to drive, whether it's getting up to speed out of a junction, or overtaking slow moving traffic.

Kia is renowned for providing their new cars with a desirable 7-year warranty, which can be passed onto future owners if the car has been maintained correctly.

MG ZS EV

MG has made a real resurgence in recent times, which reflects well in their range of affordable new cars. Because of their low cost, you can pick up some real gems on the used car market, including the ZS EV you see here.

The majority of models you'll find will be fitted with a 44.5kWh battery pack, which is good for a range of up to 163 miles when fully charged. This may not be a suitable option if you cover long distances regularly, but if you spend most of your time driving locally, then it's perfect.

Charging times are also very reasonable thanks to the smaller battery pack. For example, if you use a rapid charger, the ZS EV can charge from 20 to 80 percent capacity in just 35 minutes.

The ZS EV was delivered with a 7-year warranty from new, which is transferable to future owners if the car has been serviced correctly. This competitive warranty pairs nicely with the generous levels of equipment to make the ZS EV a great way to enjoy low running costs.

BMW 1 Series

There's something inherently satisfying about combining low running costs with an enjoyable driving experience, which is why the BMW 1 Series features in this list.

The engine itself may not be the most energetic, since you'll need to opt for a version with a 1.5-litre diesel to benefit from zero road tax. However, you'll enjoy over 70mpg with mixed driving, whilst also having access to a very capable chassis for when the roads get twisty.

If you really fancy maximising fuel economy, then we'd recommend looking for an 'EfficientDynamics Plus' model, which builds on the specification of the 'SE' by further enhancing aerodynamics and engine settings for maximum efficiency.

Thankfully, despite the premium badge associated with BMW, there are plenty of these cars to choose from on the used car market, meaning you shouldn't struggle to find one that's right for you.

Honda Civic

Honda has a reputation for excellent reliability, which is why we've chosen the trusty Civic as the last (but not least) pick for this list.

You'll need to opt for a version with a 1.6-litre diesel in this instance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing because it can achieve just over 80mpg in the right circumstances according to Honda. No wonder then it featured in our guide for most economical diesel cars.

Despite the excellent efficiency, the Civic still delivers just under 120bhp, which makes it an easy companion to live with on a daily basis. It even offers decent driving dynamics if you opt for a 'Sport' model, making it good fun in the corners (if that's your thing).

Equipment levels are generally pretty good. For example, it's easy enough to find an example that's fitted with a sunroof, satellite navigation and heated seats.

Ready to find your next used car?

The cost of living remains a consistent theme these days. Thankfully, if you're in the market for a used car with no tax to pay, then you have a plethora of options available to help keep running costs to a minimum.

If you need help finding a car that's right for you, then please don't hesitate to contact your nearest Evans Halshaw dealership, where one of our friendly associates will be more than happy to offer you guidance.

Alternatively, we have a host of buying guides that will help you find the right car for your needs.