While £400 per month is plenty to get you behind the wheel of a brand-new car, you’ll get more for your money by picking something a bit older.
New cars lose a big chunk of money in the first couple of years on the road, so this list features some cars that were quite expensive when they left the factory. From state-of-the-art electric cars to spacious family SUVs, there’s plenty of exciting choice on this list. For more options, browse our whole selection of cars for £300-£400 per month or our cars for £349 per month or less with a £349 deposit.
Renault Scenic E-Tech
Jumping in straight to the top of this list is the Renault Scenic E-Tech, which is one of the best SUVs around – electric or otherwise. A near-400-mile range means it could even work for you if you can’t charge at home, and you won’t mind spending time at a charger while sitting in the sumptuous interior. There’s plenty of tech to keep you entertained on long journeys, and Google Maps integration to make sure you’re never stuck in a surprise traffic jam again. The styling is sophisticated, the boot is nearly class-leading and rear-seat space is jaw-dropping.
If an electric car isn't feasible, check out the Renault Austral – which promises almost 60mpg without needing to be recharged.
Shop used Renault Scenic E-Tech cars for sale or read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review
Hyundai Ioniq 5
If it’s futuristic electric driving you want, the Ioniq 5 is the car to go for. It looks like a 1980s interpretation of the year 2056, and the powertrain is similarly forward-looking. The Ioniq 5 boasts some of the fastest charging times of any EV, and can also power other electricals from its onboard battery. Photos don’t do it justice – it’s deceptively big and luxuriously practical. What’s more, you don’t even have to spend the whole budget, because early small-battery models are now under £20,000, or closer to £300 per month.
Shop used Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars for sale or read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Volkswagen Passat
The latest VW Passat is simply superb – in fact, it's simply a Skoda Superb underneath. But that's no bad thing, and the latest Passat is the best yet. Especially with a plug-in hybrid engine. You get the refinement of a fully electric car, up to 82 miles of electric range and even fast-charging – which makes the plug-in Passat far more versatile than most PHEVs. And the petrol engine helps versatility, too – with both power sources topped up you could theoretically go 750 miles before you needed to stop again. The Passat impresses with sublime long-distance driving manners – even the Life model has massaging seats, for example – plus acres of rear-seat space and a massive boot.
Shop used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Passat review
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y needs little introduction – it was the world's best-selling car in 2023 and 2024. No wonder you'll see dozens on every journey. It takes everything good about the Model 3, but adds family-size practicality and the versatility of a hatchback tailgate (rather than the Model 3's letterbox-like opening). Nab the Long Range AWD model and you'll get a massive range – up to 351 miles – plus sports-car performance with 0-62mph taking just 4.8 seconds! Of course, buying a Model Y also gives you access to Tesla's Supercharger network – one of the most reliable and effortless charging networks.
Shop used Tesla Model Y cars for sale or read our Tesla Model Y review
Volvo XC40
Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or even fully electric – if you like the Volvo XC40’s chunky, youthful styling, there’s an engine to suit you. Whichever you pick, you’ll get a smart, tranquil interior with a portrait touchscreen and a perfect mix of digital and analogue. As you’d hope from a premium car, the tech and materials on offer both impress, while the XC40 is still a fairly practical machine for people and stuff.
Shop used Volvo XC40 cars for sale or read our Volvo XC40 review
Peugeot 3008
This is the newer-shape Peugeot 3008, which is available as either a hybrid or as a fully electric car. The e-3008 is the one to get, in our opinion, because of its 327-mile range and heavy initial depreciation – making it fantastic value as a used car. And with such a high range figure and impressively fast charging capability, you could feasibly live with the e-3008 even if you have to rely on public charge networks. New, even bolder styling is matched by an interior that includes a ‘floating’ 21-inch screen. The hybrid, meanwhile, promises to be economical for a car of this size, and gets you around without the worry of plugging in.
Need two extra seats? The boxier Peugeot 5008 can also be picked up for under £400 per month.
Shop used Peugeot 3008 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 3008 review
Skoda Kodiaq
One of our favourite seven-seaters, the Skoda Kodiaq is probably the ultimate family car. The interior is the perfect mix of posh and hard-wearing – you’re not going to be too bothered about the crumbs and mess that your kids cause, but it feels luxurious up front. It’s really roomy, and the boot is vast with the rear seats folded down. There’s still a torquey diesel engine on offer for easy power, load lugging and towing, and a slick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox too.
Or, check out the related SEAT Tarraco and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.
Shop used Skoda Kodiaq cars for sale or read our Skoda Kodiaq review
Ford Focus ST
Ford's swansong of affordable performance cars is one of most exciting hot hatches on the market. The Focus ST feels gloriously old school – it’ll put a smile on your face with exact steering and a fizzing 2.3-litre petrol engine, but at the same time you can take your family with you and put a couple of suitcases in the boot. Or more if you get the ST estate. The Focus’ driving experience is boosted by a perfect manual gearbox and fantastic handling.
Shop used Ford Focus ST cars for sale or read our Ford Focus review
Jaecoo 7
You won't have failed to notice the number of Jaecoo cars on our roads now. And if you're one of the thousands of buyers who love its Range Rover-aping looks for half the price, you'll be delighted to find out that you can buy a used Jaecoo at Motorpoint (and even drive away the same day, if you wish). The Jaecoo 7 also has a posh interior with nicer materials than many brands and, of course, a wealth of infotainment and driver assistance technology. Plenty of rear-seat space and a big boot means the Jaecoo is well suited to families.
Shop used Jaecoo 7 cars for sale or read our Jaecoo 7 review
Mercedes GLB
The Mercedes GLB is the next rung up from the GLA in Mercedes' SUV range, but it's much more spacious. Available with five or seven seats, the GLB brings welcome extra versatility while retaining Mercedes' high-tech twin-screen dashboard and premium materials. Petrol and diesel versions are available, or there's the fully electric Mercedes EQB to consider if you can charge at home. All are automatic, so you never need to think about being in the right gear – you've probably got enough other stuff to worry about.
Shop used Mercedes GLB cars for sale or read our Mercedes GLB review
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £300 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
