Top 10 cheapest cars on sale 2023
Not looking to splash the cash and in need of a new car bargain? Then look no further as we list the cheapest cars on sale in the UK right now
Once, not too long ago, if you were looking to buy one of the cheapest cars in the UK, there was an underlying sense of ‘you get what you pay for’. These cars may have looked like a great deal but the cost-cutting was obvious, to say the least. However, times have changed, and you can now look at these motoring bargains using both your head and heart.
Sadly, as with many things, the cost of buying a new car has increased over time. The cheapest new cars today begin at more than £12,500 so, if you’ve got a tighter budget than this, you may be better off looking for a used car.
Of course, if your negotiation skills are top-tier you may be able to haggle this price down further. What you should remember, though, is that cars in this price bracket should come with a different set of expectations. They’ll get you from A to B for sure, but will they be as economical, practical, or well-built as something that costs a few grand more? There’s no guarantee.
To achieve those low sticker prices, cheap new cars are often stripped of everything bar the basics and they’ll sometimes feel a little low-rent next to more expensive versions of the same car just a few steps up the trim ladder. Many buyers will happily put-up with some blanked-out buttons, downmarket trim finishes or even an underpowered engine but others will see the extra outlay needed to secure a few more creature comforts as money well spent. Either way, the cheap car’s head-turning sticker price has done its job.
In many instances, the biggest challenge facing cars at the cheap end of the market is the existence of used alternatives offering more kit, a better engine and, often, a more desirable badge for the same money. Again, many people will rather sink their cash into an apparently better car with a few thousand miles on the clock but the appeal of a brand new model with a full warranty and finance facilities not always open to used car buyers is still strong.
So, we’ve gauged the enduring appeal of the cheap car, now let’s get down to business. What are the cheapest new cars currently on sale in the UK?
Cheapest cars on sale in the UK
- Dacia Sandero: £12,595
- MG3: £13,295
- Kia Picanto: £13,400
- Hyundai i10: £13,430
- Dacia Sandero Stepway: £13,795
- Citroen C3: £13,995
- Volkswagen up!: £14,070
- Fiat Panda: £14,485
- Fiat 500 hybrid - £14,990
- Dacia Duster: £15,295
1. Dacia Sandero - £12,595
Dacia has become one of the car market's major success stories of recent times. Renault's budget brand has made a name for itself by offering simple, no-frills motoring at rock-bottom prices and buyers have been lapping it up.
The Sandero is a full-sized supermini where most of the other models challenging for the title are smaller city cars. The Sandero's simplicity, comfort and surprising practicality win favour with those after basic transport with no gimmicks. Top models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, touchscreen navigation system and a trip computer. It’s the entry-level Essential version that is available at just over £12,500 and steals the headlines, even if a number of buyers go for the slightly higher-spec Expression model.
The interior is actually more spacious than many of the Sandero's supermini rivals, running costs are usefully low and the mechanicals have proven their worth in the past, so the Sandero should be reliable. Thanks to its Renault heritage, the latest Sandero shares a platform with the current Clio – a much more expensive supermini.
This means the car’s chassis is more modern than before and it feels sophisticated to drive. Build quality is questionable in places, but some of the engine line-up uses Renault’s latest fuel-saving technology, meaning the Sandero is surprisingly efficient and perky on the road. The Bi-Fuel version is one of the only cars available from the factory that’s able to run on LPG, which is a cheaper fuel than petrol where it’s available.
2. MG MG3 - £13,295
MG’s entry into the hatchback market is a decent offering, especially considering its size and generous equipment levels. The MG3 was first introduced in 2013 and it was refreshed in 2018 with exterior styling tweaks, an improved interior and updated infotainment system.
Underneath the facelift, the MG3 retained its 105bhp, 1.5-litre engine (the only engine available across the range) and five-speed manual. While this powertrain feels outdated and underpowered compared to more expensive rivals which utilise turbocharging, the agile chassis and lack of body roll mean the MG3 is good fun on a twisty road.
Basic MG3 ‘Excite’ models come with an eight-inch Touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and rear parking sensors, along with a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty.
3. Kia Picanto - £13,400
The Kia Picanto is now in its third generation and has developed into a stylish little city car with enough kit to make it genuinely desirable before the price is even taken into account. It’s easy to see why the Picanto is so popular because this small car offers tremendous ride quality and the brand’s famous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty – a great deal for such a low-priced car.
There are a number of Picanto variants available, and your £13,400 will get you a basic model in ‘1’ trim fitted with a 66bhp 1.0-litre engine and manual gearbox. If you want any extras, a bigger engine, or an automatic gearbox, you’ll need to be prepared to pay more.
As is the case with most hatchbacks, the Picanto’s three-door option has been dropped so the more practical five-door bodystyle is all that’s available. With insurance starting from group one and cheap running costs, the Picanto should appeal to young drivers especially.
4. Hyundai i10 - £13,430
The Hyundai i10 is one of those cars that might not stand out in one particular area, but is a good all-rounder. There’s a generous amount of on-board tech, it’s comfortable to drive, there’s a decent amount of cabin and boot space for a car of its size, and the latest model is even quite sharp in the styling department.
The cheapest version of the i10 is in SE trim and is fitted with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 66bhp with a manual gearbox (the automatic is only available in the more expensive SE Plus trim and above). Equipment is a particular highlight of this model though, with air-conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel all featuring as standard. A five-year/80,000-mile warranty and Hyundai Roadside Assistance sweeten the deal, too.
5. Dacia Sandero Stepway - £13,795
The Dacia Sandero Stepway takes the best bits of the standard Sandero and adds in more rugged SUV-style looks, a bit more space, and extra features that bring the base Stepway more inline with mid-spec city car rivals – as opposed to the rather sparse nature of the standard Sandero.
The base Essential trim includes a DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-conditioning, and cruise control as standard. You even have a choice of engine - a petrol-powered TCe 90 or (for around an extra £500) the Bi-Fuel TCe 100. Both versions find themselves in insurance group 14 and are claimed to return more than 45mpg, so running costs should prove very affordable. With its 328-litre boot, the Sandero Stepway is an affordable family option, too.
6. Citroen C3 - £13,995
Now the Citroen C1 has been discontinued, Citroen has introduced the C3 You! - a cut-price trim level, with a starting price not far above the smaller C1. Considering the next trim level up is the C-Series Edition starting from more than £17,000, it seems like a real bargain.
It’s limited to the 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech 83 petrol engine, but this is fine for urban and suburban driving, and can average up to 54mpg for thrifty motoring.
Considering its lowered price, kit isn’t as measly as you might expect either - there’s Bluetooth, LED headlights, a five-inch touchscreen, DAB digital radio and even body-coloured bumpers and door handles. Safety hasn’t been skimped on either, with features like a coffee break alert to remind you to take a break and lane departure warnings.
7. Volkswagen up! - £14,070
A four-time winner of the City Car of the Year title at the Auto Express New Car Awards, the Volkswagen up! has always been a strong contender in the city car sector, and it remains a great buy more than a decade since it was launched.
While there is also the e-up! available for those looking to switch to electric, this finds itself at the top end of the model’s price range, so if you’re after a bargain you’ll want the petrol version. Fortunately, the three-cylinder 1.0-litre 64bhp petrol engine is a capable little unit and should prove enough for most daily driving while returning a claimed economy of more than 50mpg.
The up!’s compact size and tight turning circle make it almost effortless to manoeuvre and park in the city streets, and the grippy chassis means you’ll have fun while doing so.
8. Fiat Panda - £14,485
For many years the Fiat Panda has been a favourite choice of Italian drivers looking for an affordable, dependable, and straightforward car that’s easy to live with. UK buyers can also reap the bargain benefits of the Fiat Panda, with the latest-generation car being available for little more than £14,000.
As can be seen from the styling, the Panda is a bit more characterful than some rivals. It also offers energetic handling and a reasonably comfortable drive. It’s not all fun and games, though, since the Panda does the serious stuff rather well, too. All-round visibility is excellent, and there are plenty of useful storage spaces throughout the cabin. The little Fiat has also earned a positive overall reputation for reliability in our Driver Power survey.
9. Fiat 500 Hybrid: £14,990
While the new Fiat 500 has gone fully electric, the older model currently remains on sale as the Fiat 500 Hybrid. This older model is starting to feel a bit dated in places, but there is no doubt that it is still a highly attractive retro-style city car.
Just £14,990 will get you a 500 Hybrid in Pop trim which only comes with basic on-board equipment, but it is fun to drive with a claimed fuel economy of more than 60mpg and CO2 emissions from 105g/km, thanks to the 1.0-litre three-cylinder hybrid petrol engine.
10. Dacia Duster - £15,295
Whereas the majority of this list are city cars and compact superminis, value-focused Dacia even sells a family SUV at a bargain price. Just over £15,000 buys you the Duster and its spacious cabin. There’s plenty of room for four adults and a roomy 445-litre boot.
Even though no SUV comes close to the Duster’s entry-level price, the Essential trim brings cruise control, automatic headlights, DAB radio and emergency brake assist. The only thing you might miss out on is a bit more power, as the 89bhp petrol engine isn’t quite up to the job of propelling a medium-size SUV. Still, there’s no cheaper way to get so much space and a three-year warranty on a new car.
Don’t forget, there are plenty of bargains to be found on the used market, too. Check out our sister site buyacar.co.uk to find out more…
