10 of the UK’s best ULEZ-compliant used cars to buy in 2023

Ultra-low-emission zones (ULEZ) are fast becoming another tax on the motorist. In a bid to make the air in built-up cities less polluted, a charge is levied on cars that don’t meet strict criteria. If you’re in the market for a new car, here are some selections to help you avoid extra charges.

The expansion of London’s ULEZ, coupled with the introduction of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in a number of cities across the UK, means more drivers will be forced to give up non-compliant vehicles, if they wish to avoid paying a daily charge of £12.50 in the specified area. Since such zones are monitored by automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) cameras, there’s no avoiding the charges, which can result in £180 penalty charges if left unpaid.

To comply with the Zone’s criteria, your vehicle needs to have a Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol engine. Simply put, these codes relate to how efficiently the engine deals with emissions; crudely, the lower the Euro number, the higher output of nasty emissions. All brand-new cars qualify for exemption, but if you’re buying secondhand, it’s a bit more tricky (though not hugely). 

Things to bear in mind when choosing a ULEZ-compliant car: Euro 4 petrol standards were introduced in 2006 and Euro 6 diesel standards in 2014, but manufacturers could still use older non-compliant engines in a model beyond these dates if the model launched before the standard was introduced. Got it? Good.
 

This snub-nosed city car might be knocking almost a decade old, but the Peugeot 108 is a budget-friendly, stylish enough choice for those needing a nippy urban runabout that’s easy on the wallet. The 1.2-litre engine of this £3.5k car is peppy enough to make zipping around the city roads fun, the cabin is deceptively spacious and provided you’re not hauling full-sized humans for more than a half-hour, you’ll get four in comfortably. The boot is adequate for the weekly shop and in addition to being ULEZ-compliant, there’s no road tax to pay provided you find one produced between 2015 to February 2017.

You can’t go far wrong with the Nissan Qashqai. The pioneering crossover body shape offers a heap of practicality, doesn’t look too shabby and comes with enough cabin tech to keep the kids entertained. Granted, newer models of this versatile family wagon are seeming duller when compared with lively rivals, but it’s still a competitive all-rounder. Where you’ll find plenty of ULEZ-compliant Qashqais that are older (and cheaper), you’ll likely find the mileage sky-high. Be selective; there’s a number of more recent 2019/20 models with low mileage, for half the price of a new Qashqai - and that is a bargain worth bagging.

The 2010 Honda Jazz is the oldest car on this list, but don’t let that put you off. Despite its reputation as Grandma’s forever motor, the Jazz also had a top record for reliability (provided no one is nicking your catalytic converter). For a sub-£5k price point, a used Honda Jazz not only sports the prerequisite Euro 4 petrol engine, but is likely to be specced out with a decent amount of kit, too. Sure, it’s not the most desirable model we’ve ever tested, but it’s sensible, roomy and versatile. It’s also canny with the fuel. Frankly, there are worse criticisms we could level at this wallet-friendly burden-easing bundle of sensibleness, and the Jazz makes for a pretty shrewd choice.

The range-extending BMW i3 is no longer in production, so not only does this purchase save you from the clutches of clean air charging misery, but there's also a very good chance you could commit to a future classic. The i3 is a pretty special model, not least because the innovative structure and materials really set it apart from the other early EVs. A pure electric version would plant you perfectly in the ULEZ Exemption Club, but the 2017 range extender qualifies too, and overrides home charging dilemmas.

The UK's best-selling car has been ULEZ compliant for a fair while, meaning you can buy a Ford Focus as early as 2014 for ULEZ compliance. And for good reason. Even if it’s no hot hatch, the Focus has got all the respectable attributes we’ve come to know and love; comfort, quality build and a refined and quiet drive. Moreover, the low emissions and great fuel economy play into a narrative that ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of drivers, both urban and rural dwelling. In an age where we’re losing the Fiesta, we’re happy to cling onto the Focus for a little while longer.

Hyundai was pretty savvy when it launched the IONIQ. The model was first to be offered with three different powertrain options; full fossil, petrol-hybrid and pure electric. The 1.6-litre Hyundai IONIQ hybrid gives you the best of both worlds, maxing out fuel economy and avoiding ULEZ life admin. It’s a comfy five-door eco-car that suits families, so let’s skip gaily over the lack of styling - the 2016 version looks better than the first-gen and qualifies for free road tax - and focus on the financial gain, savings for a sub £15,000 price tag.

The Honda Civic Type R is our 2022 Car of the Year. While the Type R will not win you any favours with the ULEZ police, the lesser-spotted Civic 1.6 i-DTEC from 2018 will surprise you. It's a diesel. Contrary to popular opinion, ULEZ restrictions don't ban diesel cars from the city, they merely insist that cars have a Euro 6 engine, introduced in 2014. If you have to commute from suburbia via the school run, or like to get further away at weekends, a diesel isn't a bad choice at all – provided you do those longer journeys. And with prices around the £15k mark, surely it’s part of your... Civic duty. Yeah, sorry.

For all the joshing the Toyota Prius has endured, it continues to persist as a car with a long history of earth-friendly credentials, kid-friendly comfort and budget friendly bonuses. Look, it’s never going to be pretty and you’re going to have to check its history (don’t go picking up an ex-taxi fleet member) but the Prius puts out only 70g/km CO emissions so even if the London Mayor decides to shift the goalposts, the chances are the Prius will still be exempt.

The Mazda MX-5 is one of those cars that ends up on a lot of lists when budget is concerned. With its stylish, sporty vibe and cracking driving experience, it’s hard to believe this roadster is also cheap to run. Buying one won’t break the bank and petrol models after 2008 should meet the ULEZ criteria of being Euro 4 or newer.

We'd have loved to recommend the Audi A2 but with a lack of ULEZ-compliant models up for sale, we reckon A2 owners know what a good thing they’re onto. Why not an Audi A3? It's a decent all-rounder against its BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class rivals. With the comfort, space and tech kit you’d expect from a premium car, you’ll pay less of a premium price pitching for a ULEZ-exempt 2016 model. You might even manage to buy yourself a rarer three-door spec.