The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy - reviewed and rated
Think buying a new car is expensive? Think again. Because as our list of Britain’s cheapest cars shows, there’s a huge selection of great cars which won’t break the bank
A new car is often considered to be the second-biggest purchase many of us will ever make. But what if we said it’s possible to buy a new car, ordered to your specification and with a full warranty, for well under £20,000?
Indeed, the cheapest on our list — the Citroën Ami — costs less than half £8000, but we’d recommend spending £13,000 upwards for a better, usable car, such as the Leapmotor T03 or Dacia Sandero.
Our list of the cheapest new cars includes small cars and even a few electric cars, too. As you’ll have come to expect from What Car?, we’ll pull no punches, and after our extensive testing we’re in a position to tell you if cheap really is useful — or whether it’s a case of getting what you pay for.
Of course, it’s still possible to get discounts on even the cheapest cars, and you could save more using our new car deals service.
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What's new?
- June 2026 - updated to reflect the Leapmotor T03's increased grant and a new, lower price for the Dacia Spring; all other prices checked and the list reordered accordingly
Strengths
- Surprisingly spacious for two
- Low purchase and running costs
- Easy to thread through traffic
Weaknesses
- Limited range
- 28mph top speed
- Safety concerns
Version Ami Coupe | List price £7695
Though technically not a car, but a ‘quadricycle’ (like the Fiat Topolino), the cutesy Citroen Ami is the cheapest way to get on the road with four wheels and an electric motor in the UK right now. If you live in a city, this could be an appealing prospect for you: its 46 miles of range and 28mph top speed will be fine for narrow streets and tight traffic. But if you venture out onto faster, busier roads, you'll be far better served by other cars on this list.
All is not lost, though, because its diminutive size will make finding and securing parking a breeze. And since it’s a quadricycle, you can drive one at just 16 years old in the UK. In most of Europe, it’s even lower.
However, behind the Instagram-friendly looks of the Ami, there’s clear evidence of cost-cutting to get it to such a low price. Most of the fittings are made from hard plastics, for example, and the metal frame and plastic structuring is fairly exposed.
As such, while cheap, the Ami represents a mobility solution for an extremely niche market. For most people, we’d suggest having a glance over at our best small electric cars list instead.
Read our full Citroën Ami review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £7,705
Strengths
- Cheaper than other electric cars
- Range is enough for commuting
- Respectable performance around
Weaknesses
- Terrible safety rating
- Cramped interior
- Poor to drive
Version 45 26.8kWh Expression Auto 5dr | List price £11,990
The cheapest electric ‘car’ per se that you can buy right now is the Dacia Spring. And guess what? It’s also an electric car. Oh, how the tables have turned. You’ll get a choice of two power levels - 44bhp or 64bhp - mated to a 26.8kWh (total) battery that delivers up to 140 miles of range.
It’s a solid option for those searching for an entry-level car, but do remember, it’s exactly that. So compared to slightly more upmarket small electric cars, like the Citroen e-C3, it’s pretty rudimentary.
The e-C3’s 111bhp e-motor gets it from 0-62mph in 10.4sec (as opposed to 13.7sec), delivers just under 200 miles of range, and has both more space and a far better safety rating. It’s very much a case of getting what you pay for with the Spring.
Read our full Dacia Spring review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £11,799
RRP from: £11,990
Our pick: 37.3kWh Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Well priced
- Lots of standard kit
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Range suited to city drivers
- Not particularly fast
- Driving position could be better for taller drivers
Version 37.3kWh Auto 5dr | List price £12,995 (including manufacturer grant)
The Leapmotor T03 is a step-sibling to the Citroen e-C3 and the Fiat 500e, since it's mechanically unrelated to the European pairing, but the Chinese brand is part-owned by the Stellantis group. And the sales pitch is clear: offer lots of standard equipment and a decent drive for not much money. It does just that.
You get a sole motor/battery option, which is a front-driven 95bhp e-motor paired-up with a 36kWh battery. Its 0-62mph is rated at 12.7sec, which is faster than the Dacia Spring, but off the pace of most other small electric cars. A 165-mile range isn’t bad either, but only betters the Spring in its category.
The boxy T03’s saving grace is the supple suspension and comfortable ride: it’s not a fast car, but it’ll be an adequate place to sit and ponder on long journeys (and traffic jams alike). It may cost around £1000 more than the Spring, but it’s arguably worth the extra.
Read our full Leapmotor T03 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £12,495
RRP from: £15,995
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
37.3kWh Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (95 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £179.63 |
| Initial payment | £2,155.56 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.0 TCe Expression Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Amazingly good value
- Lots of space for passengers and luggage
- Comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Poor safety rating compared with rivals
- There are more entertaining small cars to drive
- Some other small cars are quieter
Version 1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr | List price £14,765
It’s been more than a decade since the first Dacia Sandero landed in the UK, and in that time, it has forged a reputation for being well-equipped, easy to maintain and cheap to run.
Just over £14,700 is enough to get you the Essential trim, which has cruise control, front electric windows and air conditioning as standard. Mechanically, this grade comes with a 99bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that can run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). If you live near a petrol pump that stocks this stuff, you’ll be saving a fair bit. Otherwise, regular unleaded will still work.
The one big drawback with the Sandero is its safety rating: Euro NCAP awarded it just two stars, despite it sharing the same underpinnings as the Renault Clio (since Renault owns Dacia). For all its qualities, this could be considered the achilles heel for the Sandero.
Read our full Dacia Sandero review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £15,495
RRP from: £14,765
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TCe Essential Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (100 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £193.34 |
| Initial payment | £2,320.08 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.0 TCe Expression Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Comfortable ride
- Spacious interior
- Astonishing price
Weaknesses
- Poor safety rating
- Mainly cosmetic changes for the money over a regular Sandero
- Noisy TCe 90 engine
Version 1.0 TCe Essential Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr | List price £16,065
Think Dacia Sandero, but…more. The Stepway features a more sculpted bonnet, integrated skid plates, the all-important roof rails and sits higher up than the original. All these changes amount to a Sandero that, on face value at least, looks superb.
And since it is effectively the same as the standard Sandero inside, it retains most of the admirable qualities: spacious interior, big boot and a comfortable ride. Plus, the entry-level retains that Bi-Fuel 1.0-litre petrol engine, which means you can switch between LPG and unleaded at will.
Aside from its Spring-shaped sibling, the Stepway is also noticeably cheaper than similarly-themed small, high-riding hatchbacks like the Honda Jazz Crosstar. By many thousands of pounds where that particular example is concerned, no less.
Read our in-depth Dacia Sandero Stepway review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £16,350
RRP from: £16,065
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 TCe Essential Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £206.95 |
| Initial payment | £2,483.40 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Really tidy handling
- Decent real-world fuel economy
- Great infotainment and well-equipment as standard
Weaknesses
- Engine line-up is among the slowest of any new car
- Quite firm low-speed ride
- A Dacia Sandero is much roomier
Version 1.0 Pure Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr| List price £16,585
The Kia Picanto range was simplified in 2025, and despite a small price increase, saw the small car's interior and exterior completely uprated. You’ll now find even more standard-fit bits, including an 8.0in touchscreen, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
Although it's pretty underpowered, since its 1.0-litre three-cylinder produces just 62bhp, it's surprisingly fun to drive around the corners. Despite the unconventionally tall but wedge shape, it's super agile. Though if your budget would allow, we’d suggest opting for the 1.2-litre engine — it’s both quicker and more flexible at low revs.
Read our full Kia Picanto review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £14,999
RRP from: £17,095
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 GT-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (67 bhp)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £215.89 |
| Initial payment | £2,590.68 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.5 Hybrid+ MHEV SE Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Attractively priced
- Interior looks fairly smart
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Disappointing to drive
- Rivals have bigger boots
- Very poor EuroNCAP testing result
Version 1.5 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr | List price £17,945
Small cars are slowly being frozen out by manufacturers, because it's hard to sell cheap ones profitably. And that makes MG’s decision to renew the MG3 for a third-generation all the more commendable. And it hasn’t shied away with equipment for even the more modest trim levels either.
You’ll find an entry-level with a 1.5-litre petrol engine for a little over £17,000, which produces 113bhp and allows for a 0-62mph time of 8.0sec flat. Not bad at all. But while it’s good in a straight line, the MG3 is less so elsewhere: the ride is firm, the steering feels a little slow and the engine can get noisy once you’re up to speed.
The MG3 does claw some points back in the cabin, where the fit and finish is tidy. Featuring a 10.25in touchscreen, you’ll even get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, bluetooth and sat-nav all as standard. Interested?
Read our full MG3 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £14,445
RRP from: £17,495
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.5 SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £227.04 |
| Initial payment | £2,724.48 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 1.0 Advance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Strengths
- Comfy and quiet for a small car
- Remarkably roomy in the rear
- Well equipped as standard
Weaknesses
- Disappointing safety rating
- Entry-level engine is a bit lacklustre
- Slow-witted automatic gearbox
Version 1.0 Advance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr | List price £18,365
The Hyundai i10 doesn’t just have a low price on it’s side; it also a wonderful reliability record, practical interior and plenty of space for the sort of car it is. It’s also one of the most comfortable cars in its class.
As a thing to sit in and operate, it’s rather good. But the i10 isn’t all that great actually drive, however. At this price you’d be eyeing up the 1.0-litre petrol, which takes 15.6secs to get to 62mph. And that’s with the manual gearbox; opt for the automatic and it’s even slower. We’d suggest one of the bigger engines if finances allow.
But if you’re really not bothered about straight-line pace, and prefer brisk travel in a car that’s well-built and frugal, the entry-level i10 could be your calling.
Read our full Hyundai i10 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £15,990
RRP from: £18,365
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.0 Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (63 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £179.92 |
| Initial payment | £2,159.04 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 43.2kWh Boost Auto 5dr
Strengths
- Keenly priced
- Bigger-battery versions have a respectable range
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Heavy predicted depreciation
- Feeble range of entry-level Active version
- No Euro NCAP safety rating at time of writing
Version 30kWh Active 5dr | List price £18,675
The BYD Dolphin Surf is a small electric car which competes with the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. And while it's more expensive than both, it’s also larger and makes for the better car.
There are some caveats to that, though. That's because the cheapest Dolphin Surf has a 30kWh battery which is good for 137 miles under official figures — less than the Spring and T03. If you can stretch a little further, the larger batteries in the Boost and Comfort trims bring a little more usability.
Still, the Dolphin Surf has a decent interior, its infotainment system is better than what you'll find in the Dacia and Leapmotor, and unlike those cars, the steering wheel adjusts for reach and height. It only has two seats in the rear, thought, although there is a lot of legroom back there.
Read our full BYD Dolphin Surf review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £16,995
RRP from: £18,675
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
30kWh Active Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (87 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £252.38 |
| Initial payment | £3,028.56 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Cheaper to buy than many of its rivals
- Decent fuel economy, especially from the mild hybrid
- Good all-round practicality for the class
Weaknesses
- Not especially comfortable or fun to drive
- No Euro NCAP safety rating yet
- Boot would benefit from a false floor
Version Turbo 100 Collection | List price £19,670
The Citroën C3 wears more of a SUV stance than many other cars on this list, although if it's a proper small SUV you're looking for the C3 Aircross will be a better bet. It can't match the C3 on price, though, and you won't feel short-changed when you consider the amount of standard equipment you'll get for your money.
In entry-level Collection trim, that includes LED headlights, air-con, a rear parking camera and alloy wheels. Whichever version you choose, you'll enjoy a surprising amount of interior space, and a boot that's on par with the Renault Clio in terms of space.
On the road, the C3 places comfort over cornering, which on Britain's pothole-riddled streets, that's no bad thing. The entry-level engine is our pick of the range, because it's nippy enough around town, but has plenty in reserve for a motorway cruise.
Read our full Citroën C3 review
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What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £15,989
RRP from: £19,870
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
1.2 Turbo MAX Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (100 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £214.11 |
| Initial payment | £2,569.32 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
