WITH the ULEZ charge zone set to expand, many Brits are shopping for new motor that fits the necessary engine specs.
The ULEZ is an area of London where only environmentally efficient cars are allowed to enter.
Drivers of most vehicles will need to pay a £12.50 charge, or find an alternative way to enter the capital.
But, if your classic is more than 40 years old – and is registered for the historic vehicle tax class – you will not need to pay the ULEZ charge.
Handily, car experts at insurer Hagerty have highlighted five old cars that are ULEZ-exempt and affordable.
James Mills, a car expert at Hagerty, said to This is Money: “The Ultra Low Emissions Zone will impact hundreds of thousands of drivers living in and visiting London, including owners of collectable older cars that are less than 40 years old, which is why we wanted to identify some of the most affordable classics that are just old enough to be exempt from ULEZ – but user-friendly enough to be comfortable when driven in the capital.
“And the good news is anyone can use the Hagerty Price Guide online valuation tool to identify pre-1983 classics and get an accurate indication of how much one would cost to buy.”
These are the classic cars that motor experts recommend buying due to their price and reliability.
Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 (1981-1988)
The Vauxhall Cavalier was a large family car that was sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall from 1975 to 1995
This car can cost between £1,925 and £2,425.
While all MJ1 Vauxhall Cavaliers are ULEZ-exempt, these are worth quite a bit more money.
However, the MK2 model is cheaper while also being exempt from the charge.
Austin Maestro (1982-1995)
The Austin Maestro is a five-door hatchback small family car that was produced from 1982 to 1987 by British Leyland and from 1988 until 1994 by Rover Group.
And drivers have to pay between £2,075 and £2,300 to get one.
According to the website HowManyLeft.co.uk, there are only 100 Austin Maestro left in the UK.
Austin Metro (1980-1986)
The Austin Metro was named by What Car? as Car of The Year in 1983 as an MG and again as a Rover in 1991.
It’s a supermini car that was produced by British Leyland and later by the Rover group from 1980 to 1998.
The price of this car ranges from £2,075 to £2,425.
Citroen BX (1983-1994)
Only the earliest UK examples of Citroen’s eighties and early nineties family wagon (those registered from 1983) will be ULEZ-exempt.
The average price for this car is between £2,300–£2,400.
Average prices over the last 12 months have climbed only £25 -from £2,125 to £2,150.
MG TF (2002-2005)
The last of the cars recommended by Hagerty isn’t a classic car that’s over 40 years old.
But, it’s ULEZ exempt and costs £2,550.
The MG F and MG TF are mid-engined, rear-wheel drive roadster cars that were sold under the MG marque by three manufacturers between 1995 and 2011.