The Cheapest Used Cars to Run in New Zealand

When you’re looking for a great deal on your next used car, it’s tempting to just look at the upfront price and go for the best bargain. Cars aren’t a one-off expense though as you’ll need to pay for fuel, insurance, WOF and servicing for the life of the vehicle. 

Some manufacturers excel at making cars that are affordable to run and continue to have a great life on the used car market. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the cheapest used cars to run in New Zealand and found some with great fuel mileage and class-leading reliability.

Suzuki Swift GL

There’s a good reason you see these little pocket rockets everywhere. They’re the perfect combo of affordable upfront price, hatchback practicality and ongoing reliability. Couple that with a fuel-sipping 1.2 litre engine and you’ve got a car that’s going to be easy on the wallet for the life of its ownership. 

The sheer number of Swifts sold in New Zealand, plus the genuine servicing options at dealers like us, means you’re not going to be struggling to find parts either, so keeping them on the road will be a breeze.

Nissan Leaf EV

If a car that uses only a little bit of petrol is a great buy, then what about one that uses none at all? The fully electric Nissan Leaf has become ubiquitous around New Zealand, partly due to the fact that it’s one of the country’s most affordable electric options. 

Being able to ‘fill up’ by plugging the Leaf in at home every night is a huge cost saver over time, and the Clean Car Rebate gives you cash back straight away. The lack of moving parts compared to a regular combustion car engine can also result in much lower ongoing maintenance costs. 

Mazda CX-3

What if you need something a little bigger? There’s a reason crossover SUVs have become so popular here in New Zealand, combining a great balance of hatchback affordability and SUV practicality. Mazda’s CX-3 is one of the best examples of this, especially over the vehicle’s lifespan. Mazda was recently named most reliable carmaker by Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey. 

Thanks to Mazda’s SKYACTIV engine technology which prioritises efficiency, the CX-3 is remarkably light on fuel usage even with the 2 litre engine. Older models also included a diesel variant for people who want the choice. It’s a practical car with class-leading reliability and noted fuel economy ensuring it’s a great used car option that’s cheap to run. Oh, and did we mention it was New Zealand’s Car of the Year in 2015 according to Driven?

Mazda 2

We’ll finish the list with another Mazda because that award-winning reliability is really going to help your wallet long-term. Like the Swift, the Mazda 2 is a common sight around New Zealand and has become the quintessential small hatchback thanks to the aforementioned reliability, cheap insurance and planet-saving fuel economy. According to Trademe, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient cars available in NZ, using only around 5 litres per 100 kilometres travelled. 

And there you have it! If you’re keen to take a look at some used cars that are cheap to run, go and see the team at your nearest Niccars dealership, or get in touch here.