Top 10 Cheap Cars in the UK

Most of us have a dream garage – we’ll always imagine the list of cars we can purchase after winning the lottery. However, reality dictates otherwise.

Many people can’t afford a brand-new Ferrari or McLaren simply because these cars come with an extravagant price tag. However, if you’re searching for no-frills cheap cars in the UK, then there are sufficient options. You can get many cheap cars in the UK costing less than £10,000.

To purchase a brand-new car, you’ll have to somehow compromise – mainly when it comes to the car’s specifications. You’ll be required to pay more for Bluetooth, air-conditioning and even in some cases remote central locking.

Below is a list of the best cheap cars in the UK based on their official price listings. However, discounts for new cars can cut the price even further.

It’s worth noting that the below listed cheap cars in the UK are powered by petrol engines hence best suite those doing lower mileage.

List of top 10 cheap cars in the UK

Purchasing and maintaining a car on a monthly basis can be expensive, also, insurance costs gradually increase. There are a dozen new cars available in the market at under £13,000.

We have listed the cheap cars in the UK, based on the price listed on the manufacturer’s website.

10. Peugeot 108 – £12,265

The Peugeot 108 is mechanically identical to the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 but more expensive due to a recent update. The other difference is that the 108 comes with a three-year warranty unlike the five-year warranty that comes with the Aygo.

The active Peugeot 108 model is a decent bet, with basics like Bluetooth, air-conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and DAB radio making it a well-equipped city car.

The car feels safe with its six airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.

9. Citroen C1 – £10,470

The Citroen C1 model shares technology with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108. The C1 is relatively similar to the 108 based on shape, boot space and they have nearly identical interiors.

Just like the 108, the Citroen C1 has a 1.0-litre, 72hp petrol engine. However, Peugeot 108 adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto equipment to justify the £1,795 price difference.

8. Volkswagen Up – £10,140

The Volkswagen Up is mechanically similar to the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo, however, the VW Up is the only one available with a petrol engine and also the cheapest of the 3.

This car is a relatively enjoyable car to drive. It comes with equipment such as air conditioning and a DAB radio to add to your enjoyment while driving this amazing city car.

The Volkswagen UP feels nimble and smooth driving around town and has a reasonable boot for a car its size.

7. Kia Picanto – £10,045

The Kia Picanto is one of the best and more spacious city cars on the market. Every Kia Picanto has a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The Kia Picanto car is reasonably economical and comes with front electric windows but no air conditioning and Bluetooth.

Overall, the car is an ideal city car with a decent sized boot and can accommodate four adults.

6. Hyundai i10 – £9,900

Hyundai is one of the best cheap cars in the UK that you can buy – the best value for an extremely low price. The i10 car is easy to drive and can carry 4 adults sitting fairy comfortably for short trips.

Also, it’s very stable at higher speeds. Equipment for the cheapest model in S trim comes with electric windows, a radio and a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

In addition, the boot size of the Hyundai i10 can accommodate 252 litres worth of luggage. Even if this car ticks many boxes, the styling of its interior could use improvement in future models.

5. Toyota Aygo – £9,825

The dramatic styling of the Toyota Aygo dramatic sets it apart from its rivals. On the surface, the Aygo looks somewhat similar to the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108.

The Aygo model has a 71bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. The Toyota Aygo has USB and aux-in capabilities, remote central locking and front electric windows.

4. MG3 – £9,495

The MG3 is fun to drive springing with energy from one corner to another on rural roads. The MG3 is bigger than most cars on this list with a 105bhp 1.5-litre engine.

This car offers sport style at a lower cost.
The MG3 comes with basic specifications such as a Bluetooth phone connection, electric windows all round, electric mirror adjustment, daytime running lights, a 2-speaker stereo and plastic wheel trims.

3. Skoda Citigo – £8,890

The Skoda Citigo is a small economical car ideal to drive across the city, providing big value for your money. It also provides a lot more space than you might presume.

The car is more comfortable and stable compared to the Hyundai i10. Skoda Citigo’s nimble feel makes it fun to drive.

The basic Skoda Citigo has only bare essential equipment like a CD player, remote central locking, four airbags, stability control and electric front windows.

The Skoda Citigo is without a doubt one of the very best city cars in the UK. It offers big-car features in a smaller one.

2. Dacia Logan MCV Estate – £8,495

The Dacia Sandero model might be one of the cheapest cars in the UK, but the Logan model is arguably the best model in terms of value – an impossible feat to beat.

It has a massive 573-litre boot, just a fraction smaller than the Volkswagen Golf Estate – which cost more than twice the price of the Logan. When you fold up the seats down, the boot capacity of Logan doubles.

Just like the Sandero, the interior and the front are almost identical.

1. Dacia Sandero – £6,995

The Sandero model of Dacia company wins the category for best new cheap cars in the UK. Costing only £6,995, the Dacia Sandero model is by far a reasonable choice for a brand-new car bigger than the Ford Fiesta whilst costing less than the Ford ka+.

With the Sandero model you get a big car for the price of a small one. However, the downside is that this car isn’t precisely lavishly equipped, it lacks stereo and air conditioning from the standard equipment list.

It’s easy to drive a Sandero, thanks to a quiet cabin and an amazing all-around visibility from the driver’s seat.

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Cheap Cars in the UK FAQs

Here are some important key points to help you make a decision based on what you’re looking for.

What is the cheapest car in the UK to buy?

Dacia Sandero at £6,995: For quite a number of years now the Dacia Sandero is still the cheapest car in the UK.

Which car is the most powerful car?

MG3: The MG3 is the most powerful amongst the cheap cars in the UK. The larger 1.5-litre engine has 106 PS. All the rest have a 1.0-litre engine, excluding the Panda.

Which car has the quickest 0-60mph time?

MG3: With its superior power, the MG3 also has the fastest 0-60mph time of 10.4 seconds. This translates to almost three seconds faster than its closest competitor.

Which car has the most efficient combined MPG?

Peugeot 108: The combined MPG rating of the Peugeot 108 is 68.9 MPG as per the manufacturer specifications making it the most efficient.

However, the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 are just a little bit behind.

Which car records the lowest CO2 emissions?

Citroen C1 / Toyota Aygo / Peugeot 108: All of these cars recorded emissions of 93 g/km of CO2.

Which car has the slowest 0-60mph time?

Fiat Panda: The Fiat Panda’s 14.8 seconds is the slowest 0-60mph time recorded of the cars on our list. However, only one seconds separate the Fiat Panda and nine other cars on our list.

Which car has the least efficient combined MPG?

MG3: MG3 uses a larger 1.5-litre engine thus recording the least reported combined MPG figure at 47.6MPG.

Which car is the least powerful?

Volkswagen UP! / Skoda: Skoda and the VW UP! share the same 60 PS engine. However, this doesn’t make them the slowest cars.

Which car has the best warranty?

Kia Picanto: The Kia Picanto model has a seven-year/100,000 miles warranty. This means that your car investment is secure for a very long time.

Which is the best car for low budget?

Kia Picanto is the best if you plan to keep the car for 7 years.

Which car is best value for your money?

Dacia Sandero: It’s still the cheapest car in Britain, the same price as a used one. The Sandero model comes only as a five-door hatchback.

It provides a range of trims and engine sizes to choose from. Dacia Sandero has soft suspension and deals with potholes and bumps very well.