Used Cars Under $6,000 with Great Gas Mileage and Under 120K Miles (2025 Guide)

Finding a used car under $6,000 in 2025 that also has under 120,000 miles and delivers great gas mileage isn’t easy—but it’s doable if you know what to look for. While inventory at this price point is more limited, especially with mileage caps, there are still several models known for fuel efficiency and long-term value that pop up in good shape.

Here are the best budget-friendly used cars with over 30 MPG and under 120k miles, all commonly found for under $6K.

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🚗 1. 2009–2012 Toyota Yaris (Sedan or Hatchback)
MPG: 30–33 city / 36–39 highway
Why It’s a Smart Pick: The Yaris is reliable, low-maintenance, and gets excellent gas mileage for a non-hybrid. Manuals are more efficient and fun, but the automatic models are easier to find. They’re also known to hit 200k miles with basic upkeep.

2025 Price Range: $4,000–$6,000
Watch For: Worn struts and limited safety features.

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🚗 2. 2010–2013 Hyundai Accent (Manual Preferred due to reliability)
MPG: 28–30 city / 36–38 highway
Why It’s a Smart Pick: One of the most affordable cars with modern styling and solid MPG. The manual versions are generally more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Plenty of low-mileage models float around rental fleets.

2025 Price Range: $3,500–$5,800
Watch For: Timing belt service history and underbody rust.

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🚗 3. 2008–2011 Honda Fit
MPG: 28–31 city / 34–38 highway
Why It’s a Smart Pick: The Fit is a surprisingly roomy subcompact with legendary Honda reliability and great MPG. You’ll love the fold-flat “Magic Seats” if you haul gear. These hold their value and often last well past 200k miles.

2025 Price Range: $4,000–$6,000
Watch For: Valve adjustments and worn engine mounts.

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🚗 4. 2012–2013 Nissan Versa (Sedan)
MPG: 30 city / 38 highway
Why It’s a Smart Pick: Super budget-friendly and still easy to find with mileage under 120k. The Versa doesn’t have a ton of features, but it’s inexpensive to run and cheap to fix.

2025 Price Range: $3,800–$5,500
Watch For: CVT maintenance records or stick to manual.

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🚗 5. 2009–2012 Ford Fiesta (Manual)
MPG: 29–30 city / 38–40 highway
Why It’s a Smart Pick: A surprisingly fun little car with great fuel efficiency. Manual versions dodge the notorious PowerShift transmission issues and tend to be more reliable long-term.

2025 Price Range: $3,500–$5,800
Watch For: Rust in northern cars and door latch recalls.

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📊 Comparison Table: Great MPG Cars Under $6K with <120K Miles

Model	Years	MPG (City/Hwy)	2025 Price Range	Strengths
Toyota Yaris	2009–2012	30–33 / 36–39	$4k–$6k	Bulletproof reliability + great MPG
Hyundai Accent	2010–2013	28–30 / 36–38	$3.5k–$5.8k	Simple, cheap to run
Honda Fit	2008–2011	28–31 / 34–38	$4k–$6k	Versatile interior + dependable
Nissan Versa	2012–2013	30 / 38	$3.8k–$5.5k	Affordable + efficient sedan
Ford Fiesta	2009–2012	29–30 / 38–40	$3.5k–$5.8k	Great MPG, avoid automatics

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🔧 Budget-Friendly Buying Tips

• Manual transmission = fewer problems. Especially important with older Ford and Nissan models.
• Prioritize clean service records. A $1,000 timing belt job isn’t worth it on a $5,000 car.
• Avoid salvage or branded titles. Even if they’re cheap, long-term problems often outweigh savings.
• Use filters on used car apps to find listings with under 120k miles—you’ll eliminate a lot of noise.

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