The cheapest reliable used cars in NZ right now
19 Aug 2025 | Buying A Used Car Articles
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People shopping for cheap used cars have never been better served. There are bargains available from brands that are well-known and trusted – less than $10,000 can buy you some truly impressive transport.
The cheapest cars to buy are one thing, but there’s a lot more to the equation than that. A cheap car for sale must also continue to be a cheap car to run and maintain for the years to come, otherwise what’s the point?
If you’re shopping by price, the best place to buy a cheap car is one with a good stock of small, fuel-efficient cars from brands that are known for their affordable maintenance costs: for most, that will mean Japanese imports from brands like Toyota, Nissan and Mazda.
So what are the cheapest reliable used cars in NZ?
A list of the cheapest cars to run and maintain would surely include popular models like the Nissan Note, Mazda Demio, Nissan Cube, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Aqua. All are freely available in NZ, with starting prices well below $10,000; so there’s potential across all to choose an example that fits perfectly with your budget. And while all are small vehicles, they are all practical – some surprisingly so.
Nissan Note
The Nissan Note is a smart choice for buyers wanting a compact car with the space and feel of a people mover. Larger than many hatchbacks, it offers excellent cabin room and practicality, making it great for families or everyday use. Fuel efficiency is one of its strongest selling points, with reliable 1.2L three-cylinder and 1.6L four-cylinder engines paired to smooth CVT transmissions (manual options also available). From 2017, the Note introduced Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid system, delivering 100% electric drive without the need to plug in — perfect for drivers wanting next-level efficiency. With modern styling from the second and third generations (2012 onwards) and affordable pricing, the Note combines low running costs, practicality, and proven Nissan reliability into one appealing used car package.
Sample prices as of August 2025: $8,989 (2014, 155,780km) to $13,999 (2017 e-Power, 108,099km).
2016 Nissan Note
Mazda Demio/Mazda2
It was called Demio in Japan (which applies to used imports) from the start, but you might also know this car as the Mazda2, a name which was adopted globally from 2019.
All four generations of Demio have been notable for their individualistic design. The first two, from 1996 to 2007, were small hatchbacks with boxy people-mover-like styling that offered fun driving characteristics in combination with surprising practicality. The second-generation model in particular could swallow mountain bikes whole with the rear seats folded down.
The third and fourth generation models (2007-present) transitioned to a more conventional design, but also a much more sporty look and feel. Less than $10k will still get you into a third-generation model, and you can shop upwards from there. The fourth-generation Mazda2 (2014) is still a current model, too.
Sample prices as at August 2025: $7,989 (2009, 116,560km) to $14,990 (2016, 134,075km).
2016 Mazda Demio
Nissan Cube
The Nissan Cube is a standout choice for used car buyers who want practicality with personality. Known for its roomy boxy shape, the Cube offers excellent interior space and comfort, making it ideal for city driving or family use. Later generations added unique design touches, including its eye-catching asymmetrical rear window, giving it a distinctive look on the road. With its blend of quirky style, everyday practicality, and reliable Nissan engineering, the Cube is a smart and affordable used car option.
A wide variety of imported Nissan Cubes are available in NZ. They are powered by thrifty four-cylinder engines with continuously variable transmission, although some of the later models were even available with a manual gearbox.
It’s a tiny vehicle (less than four metres long), but astonishingly practical thanks to that boxy shape and great value for money.
Sample prices as of August 2025: $7,989 (2016, 106,476km) to $10,608 (2016, 123,441km).
2015 Nissan Cube
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is one of NZ’s most popular small hatchbacks, offering style, fun, and excellent value as a used car. With plenty of models available locally and as imports, buyers have a wide choice across four generations. The second generation (2010–17) introduced CVT transmissions and the popular Swift Sport, while the third generation (2017–23) added modern tech and even a mild hybrid option for improved fuel efficiency. Non-hybrid Swifts are still highly economical, especially the peppy three-cylinder turbo. Compact, reliable, and affordable to run, the Swift is a smart pick for anyone after a practical yet fun cheap used car.
Sample prices as at August 2025 $6,989 (2008, 161,452km) to $22,990 (2024 hybrid, 9000km).
2011 Suzuki Swift
Toyota Aqua
The Toyota Aqua (sold new in NZ as the Prius C) is one of the country’s most popular used imports, thanks to its unbeatable fuel efficiency. Powered exclusively by Toyota’s proven petrol-electric hybrid system, the Aqua combines low running costs with the practicality of a compact hatchback. Most models on the market are first-generation (from 2010), but newer second-generation versions are becoming available, offering the same trusted hybrid technology with updated styling and extra cabin space for passengers. Reliable, economical, and easy to drive, the Aqua is a top choice for buyers seeking a cheap used car that keeps fuel bills down.
Sample prices as at August 2025: $8,989 (2012, 164,988km) to $18,999 (2022, 107,650km).
2014 Toyota Aqua X URBAN HYBRID
