If you don’t live in London, you might not think that the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is something you should be concerned about. However, it can actually be good news if you’re looking for a great deal on a car.
The ULEZ is expanding to the outer border of the M25 on August 29th, which means that thousands more motorists will be charged to drive non-compliant cars. As a result, the market for these cars has been flooded, causing prices to drop significantly.
Now is the perfect time to buy a comfortable diesel for your daily commute, a small supermini for quick trips to the store, or even to invest in a potential future classic car.
Using these non-compliant cars outside of built-up areas should not make you feel guilty. The open air in the countryside dilutes the toxic NOx emissions to a level that is not a public health risk.
In addition, many of the diesel cars that don’t meet the NOx standards for the ULEZ actually emit less CO2 than their petrol counterparts. Since CO2 contributes to climate change rather than respiratory illnesses, a good diesel car is often a better choice for the environment.
Here is our selection of the best deals on non-ULEZ cars within a 25-mile radius of central London.
The best deals for non-ULEZ cars for motorway driving
Volkswagen Passat (2006-2010)
The sixth-generation Passat is a comfortable, refined, and spacious saloon that still holds its class almost 20 years later. We found a 2006 model with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine – capable of more than 50mpg on the motorway – and 72,000 miles on the odometer listed for sale at £1689.
Chrysler 300C (2005-2010)
This American car stands out from the rest: about 20% of the 300C was based on the 1996-2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, making it a reliable long-distance cruiser. You can get one with the Mercedes-sourced 3.0-litre diesel V6, with less than 100,000 miles on the clock, for just £2595.
Mercedes-Benz CLS (2004-2010)
You can get your hands on one of the world’s finest grand tourers for as little as £3200. We found one with the same V6 engine as the 300C, a full service history, and just two previous owners. With only 58,800 miles driven in 17 years, it still has plenty of life left.
The best deals on non-ULEZ small cars
Toyota Yaris (1999-2000)
If you need an affordable second car for quick trips to the store or for teaching a young driver, you can’t go wrong with the first-generation Yaris. We found a 1999 petrol model with only 65,000 miles on the odometer for just £995.