Estate

Hatchback

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

ASTRA

MODEL 3

XC40

every-type-of-speed-camera-in-the-uk-revealed

revealed-every-type-of-speed-camera-in-the-uk

Things have developed quickly since the UK ’s first speed camera was installed on the M40 motorway in 1991, catching 400 speeders in the first 40 minutes.There are now around 7000 cameras around the UK ’s road network, and in 2024 they resulted in the prosecution of 205,522 people – estimated to be close to a 70% increase since 2011.The main argument for speed cameras is that of road safety, with many research studies concluding that they are beneficial. It is known that speed is a contributory factor in accidents; the higher the speed, the more severe the potential injuries, so any means of persuading drivers to use appropriate speed results in fewer accidents, as well as a reduction in deaths and serious injuries when collisions do occur.In 2017, the <a href="https://www.lse.ac.uk/news/latest-news-from-lse/speed-cameras-reduce-road-accidents-and-traffic-deaths-according-to-new-study">London School of Economics</a> conducted a study based on collision data before and after speed cameras were installed in 2500 locations in England, Wales and Scotland. It showed that accidents within 500 metres of a speed camera fell by 17-39%, and fatalities by 58-68%, in the period between 1992 and 2016. The study noted a slight increase in accidents up to 1.5km away from the camera, but the overall rate was lower than before.More cameras have been installed since then, though a figure of 1671 road deaths in 2024 represents a 1% increase over 2024. That means we’re likely to see yet more cameras on our roads – and they won’t just be used for catching speeders.Excess speed is by no means the only cause of accidents. Other major contributory factors, include not wearing a seatbelt and using handheld mobile phones while driving. These offences can be recorded by the latest arrival on our roads: the Vector SR.In 2023, Greater Manchester became the first region to install Vector SR cameras, which can collect images of vehicles on both sides of a road at once. It says the 140 units on its roads will be used primarily to catch those breaking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/uk-speed-limits-explained/n25461">speed limits</a>, although anyone prosecuted might also be charged with other offences, such as using a handheld mobile phone.It is hoped that the technology will help to enforce the law surrounding mobile phone use in cars. In 2024, 23 people were killed in accidents where distracted driving caused by mobile phone use was thought to be a contributory factor. Research by the <a href="https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/20-years-of-mobile-phone-driving-ban">AA Charitable Trust</a> in 2023 revealed that 93% of motorists have witnessed illegal phone use, yet the Government has said that only 6200 fines were issued in 2021, compared with 31,400 in 2011.The Vector SR is just one of at least 15 different types of camera currently in use, ranging from the highly recognisable Gatso to high-tech digital handheld units.<h2 dir="ltr">Every type of speed camera in the UK</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Aecom mobile speed camera</h3>

What is it? A fairly new type of camera that was introduced in 2022 and uses AI to detect offences such as speeding, the use of mobile phones while driving, and drivers not wearing their seatbelts. It can be fixed to a police van so it can be deployed across different locations.How does it work? The system uses multiple cameras with high shutter speeds, an infrared flash and a lensing and filtering system to record high-definition images of passing vehicles. Once the images have been taken, they are reviewed by AI software and a person to correctly identify the offence. If an offence is found, a warning letter or a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) will be sent to the driver.Need to know: The purpose of this camera is to combine several enforcement applications into a single system, while also improving accuracy compared with other systems.<h3 dir="ltr">Digital Specs</h3>

What is it? It’s used to police average speed zones and is often seen mounted on gantries at the sides of motorways.How does it work? The system uses multiple installations along a road (a minimum of two) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) records the average speeds of vehicles. When a vehicle passes the first camera, an infrared photo is taken and the time recorded. When it passes the second camera, two photos – infrared and colour – are taken. A computer analyses the photos to retrieve the registration plate. Another compares the times of the two infrared photos to calculate the vehicle’s speed between cameras. If the average speed is above the threshold, an NIP will be sent to the driver, as with all speed camera violations.Need to know: It’s commonly believed that drivers can fool these cameras by changing lanes, but sometimes they are set to overlap. As a result, and because it’s not clear which cameras ‘clocked’ you in and out, it’s unwise to take the risk.<h3 dir="ltr">DS2/SpeedMaster/Autovision/Autovision 2</h3>

What are they? These are four very similar semi-permanent installations that can cover two lanes of road at once, capturing data on cars travelling in two different directions.How do they work? Identifiable by their short, grey boxes, these can calculate the speed a vehicle is doing when it runs over two ‘piezo’ strips that are embedded into the surface of the road one metre apart. This information is synchronised with a camera located either in a vehicle or in a fixed installation, in order to photograph any offending vehicle.Need to know: These cameras are small and can be hard to spot. They can be linked to a police car farther up the road, and an officer can immediately pull you over to issue a warning and perhaps a ticket.<h3 dir="ltr">Gatsometer Type 24</h3>

What is it? A fixed rearwardfacing speed camera.How does it work? The ‘Gatso’ camera’s radar measures the speed of passing vehicles. If it exceeds a pre-set threshold, the camera takes two pictures. However, these alone are insufficient for prosecution, so a series of white lines (or secondary check marks) on the road ahead of the camera help to confirm the vehicle’s speed. A Gatso can’t record the speed of an approaching vehicle but might be rotated periodically to monitor the opposite carriageway.Need to know: Gatsos can be set in dummy mode, in which no photos are taken but motorists who exceed the speed limit will be flashed as a warning. A digital version that doesn’t use film was launched in 2007.<h3 dir="ltr">HADECS Camera</h3>

What is it? It enforces variable speed limits on major roads, primarily sections of ‘smart’ motorway such as those on the M1, M6 and M25. Each camera is located on a gantry above its respective lane.How does it work? A radar sensor measures vehicle speed, and if it is above the variable limit threshold, the camera takes three photos. Two are analysed by enforcement staff and provide a secondary check of the vehicle’s speed based on marks on the road. The third picture is a close-up of the number plate.Need to know: Hadecs 3 is the latest version found on some smart motorways, usually situated at the side of gantries, not on top, and often painted grey. It can scan up to five lanes from one location and can take photos of vehicles exceeding standard speed limits, not just the variable ones indicated on gantries.<h3 dir="ltr">'Long Ranger' Camera</h3>

What are they? A manned longrange camera for use inside a police van or at the roadside.How does it work? Radar speed evidence supports a photo that can be recorded from up to 1km away.Need to know: Using this device, Gloucester police caught 1325 people speeding in a single month, including one driver who was doing 126mph on the A417. As well as speeders, it can be used to catch tailgaters, middle-lane hoggers, drivers not wearing seatbelts and people using a phone behind the wheel.<h3 dir="ltr">LTI 20/20 TruCam II handheld speed gun</h3>

What are they? A handheld speed detector that uses laser technology to measure vehicle speed information and has a video function to record evidence of offences for use in court.How does it work? Using an integrated laser, it measures the time and distance between vehicles in order to calculate how fast they are travelling. Its built-in digital video camera can collect video evidence of speeding and other offences, including seatbelts not being worn. It’s able to identify makes and models and read the numberplates of vehicles up to 750 metres away, and it incorporates GPS technology to identify the location every time filming starts.Need to know: Many motorists think speed guns can capture data only during daylight hours, but the TrueCam II has a night mode that enables it to take footage in the dark.<h3 dir="ltr">Mobile Speed Camera</h3>

What is it? These are usually operated by police officers in vans at the side of the road, though they have been known to be more inventive – at least once famously using a horsebox as a disguise, for instance.How does it work? Officers use a variety of handheld devices that use radar and even lasers to detect speed.Did you know? They are often rapidly deployed to accident blackspots or after local concerns in small villages situated on fast B-roads.<h3 dir="ltr">Redguard Camera (Red Light Violations)</h3>

What is it? A fixed camera that’s used to police red traffic light violations in up to four lanes at once.How does it work? Sensors in the road just past the stop line are activated when the light turns red. If a vehicle passes the sensors , three digital photos are taken: one of the vehicle in motion, a zoom shot of the number plate and a wide-angle shot of the vehicle and the environment.Need to know: When set to do so , this camera can also record speeding offences when the lights are green.<h3 dir="ltr">REDFLEX Speed Camera</h3>

What is it? A new type of camera only recently approved for use by the authorities. The REDFLEX Speed can be used on motorways, and can catch speeders across six lanes if required.How does it work? It uses radar in conjunction with an 11-megapixel digital camera.Need to know: Unlike older models, this camera can deal with multiple offenders at the same time.<h3 dir="ltr">Siemens SafeZone</h3>

What is it? This camera type is one of the more recent to arrive in the UK. Developed by German industrial giant Siemens, it’s used to monitor a vehicle’s average speed in a defined area, such as a neighbourhood speed limit zone.How does it work? Each unit has a small digital camera and can be linked to a network and central server via 4G. This enables number plate images to be processed via ANPR, with average speeds calculated for the area.Need to know: It can measure speeds between 20mph and 140mph, and is often placed near schools where pedestrian safety is paramount.<h3 dir="ltr">SpeedCurb Camera</h3>

What is it? A fixed, rearward-facing camera that can monitor up to two lanes simultaneously. Or, with an additional unit facing in the opposite direction, it can police both ways on a four-lane road. Used to record traffic light offences as well as speed limit infractions.How does it work? It uses three piezo sensors one metre apart in the road to calculate a passing vehicle’s speed, recording offenders photographically. A further set of check marks on the road surface strengthen the evidence.Need to know: The SpeedCurb takes three digital images: two wide-angled shots showing the vehicle and its location, as well as the progress of the vehicle over time, and a third focusing on its number plate, from which the number is retrieved by computer via ANPR.<h3 dir="ltr">SpeedSpike Camera</h3>

What is it? An average speed camera that can be deployed in many traffic scenarios, including to enforce motorway speed limits as well as more localised urban speed restrictions.How does it work? A digital camera captures number plates and applies ANPR and a timestamp, and the time elapsing before the number plate is registered by the next camera is used to calculate speed. Prosecution notices are generated automatically.Need to know: Up to 1000 different SpeedSpike cameras can be networked to share data, communicating via GPRS and 4G.<h3 dir="ltr">Truvelo Combi Forward Facing</h3>

What is it? A fixed speed camera that can be forward or rearward facing, and captures the vehicle and driver on film.How does it work? Four pairs of sensors in the road measure the speed of passing vehicles. Closer towards the camera, three painted lines serve as calibration markers, with speeding vehicles snapped as they cross the middle line.Need to know: Recording photographic evidence of the driver makes it difficult for them to deny they were driving. However, when a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/speeding-fines-tickets-and-penalties-guide/n15071">speeding ticket</a> is issued, the photo will only be released to the driver with their permission, so as to avoid potential embarrassment.Truvelo D-cam

What is it? A digital speed camera that’s been brought in by many police forces to replace ageing Gatsos. It can also act as a red light camera.How does it work? It contains a digital camera that can store up to 100,000 photos. It sits on a pole and can be lowered so the photos can be downloaded to a PC or other device. Alternatively, photos can be sent to an office in real time for processing. The device can cover up to three lanes of traffic. There is also an uprated version, called the D-Cam L, which uses a laser to measure speed.Need to know: It can face in either direction, so it can target the front or rear of passing cars.<h3 dir="ltr">Vector</h3>

What is it? A two-lane, bi-directional average speed camera that incorporates ANPR technology. It can be used as a speed camera, or for enforcement of other road regulations, such as bus lane, red light, yellow box and congestion charging enforcement.How does it work? It uses ANPR and timestamping to identify vehicles and calculate their average speed between different camera locations. It can monitor two lanes of traffic at a time, either flowing in the same or opposite directions. It works in all weathers and can record vehicles travelling at motorway speeds.Need to know: Vector cameras have become more abundant on UK roads in recent years because the installation cost has dropped from £1.5m per mile in the early 2000s to around £100,000 per mile in recent years.<h3 dir="ltr">Vector SR</h3>

What is it? The next generation of Vector camera is able to capture video footage of up to three lanes of traffic travelling in both directions. How does it work? It uses a video camera that works with an ‘intelligent virtual grid’ (this means no road markings are necessary) to determine if a vehicle is speeding. Built-in ANPR technology is used to identify vehicles from their number plates. Using infrared light for illumination means there’s no need for a visible flash, so lawbreakers won’t immediately know they’ve been caught. It also means that the camera can capture images at night and in bad weather.Need to know: The VR can be used for speed limit enforcement as well as to capture traffic light offences. The images it captures can also be used for secondary prosecutions; these include such infractions as drivers not wearing seatbelts or using handheld mobile phones while driving, as well as making illegal turns.<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">Other types of cameras on UK roads</h3><h3 dir="ltr">Siemens 'Sicore II' ANPR camera (ULEZ camera)</h3>

What is it? This is an ANPR camera used to monitor the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/ulez-expansion-everything-you-need-to-know/n15049">London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)</a>.How does it work? The camera monitors three lanes at 40 frames a second – that’s 2500 moving vehicles per hour per lane. Once the camera has scanned the vehicle number plate, it checks the registration against a database to see if the vehicle complies with the emission standards.Need to know: In October 2023, the first month of its operation, 13,000 non-compliant vehicles were caught. As of December 2025, there are now approximately 3700 cameras across Greater London to enforce the ULEZ.<h3 dir="ltr">Traffic monitoring camera</h3>

What are they? Traffic monitoring cameras do exactly what they say on the tin. In most cases, they monitor the levels of traffic on the UK's motorway network.How does it work? Essentially a type of CCTV camera, traffic monitoring cameras are monitored by highway officers to check level of traffic. If an area is found to be experiencing a high level of congestion, the officers can then attempt to reduce this by alerting drivers with messages on overhead gantries. If debris, a stranded vehicle or a crash is spotted, officers can also inform the emergency services or send a traffic officer to provide assistance.Did you know? Over 4000 traffic monitoring cameras are in operation across the UK motorway network. In some cases (such as following an incident), you can request access to CCTV/traffic camera footage.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h3 dir="ltr">Read more:<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/cost-of-living-car-advice"> Cost of living car advice</a></h3>

Every type of speed camera in the UK revealed

Revealed: Every type of speed camera in the UK

the-cheapest-cars-to-insure-in-2025

cheapest-cars-to-insure

Toyota

Aygo X

AYGO X

Picanto

Hyundai

Dacia

Sandero

Volkswagen

Polo

Stonic

Skoda

Fabia

Taigo

TAIGO

SEAT

Ibiza

Seat

IBIZA

Renault

Clio

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£740

Version&nbsp;1.0 VVT-i Pure&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;5A&nbsp;

Behind that angry puppy face is the cheapest new car you can currently insure in the UK. Sure, you could buy a similarly-priced, similarly-sized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">EV</a>&nbsp;instead, but there’s much compromise involved. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/leapmotor/t03/hatchback/review/n27136">Leapmotor T03</a>, for example, would cost our baker over £1500 to insure. And then there’s the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/spring/hatchback/review/n26964">Dacia Spring</a>, whose interior feels completely Spartan next to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Aygo X</a>, and it also takes 4.5secs longer to hit 62mph. The Spring runs out of charge after just 140 miles too, while the Aygo will return over 400 miles of motoring per tank. It is arguably the perfect car for a 23-year-old living through a cost-of-living crisis.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- No cheaper car to insure

- Great safety kit

- Warranty of up to 10 years

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

-&nbsp;More expensive to buy than Hyundai and Kia rivals

- Higher trim levels come very close to the Yaris’ starting price

- Rear could get cramped

Toyota Aygo X

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£768

Version&nbsp;1.0 Pure&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;4

A direct rival to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, the skinny dimensions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Picanto</a>&nbsp;make it a truly fabulous thing around the corners, which offsets the fact that it’s one of the slowest cars in its class. That shape, combined with the efficient 66bhp 1.0-litre engine, also returns a decent 50mpg in mixed conditions. Factor in Kia’s 100,000-mile/seven-year warranty, in addition to our best price of £15.5k, and the i10’s strengths become obvious. It’s also one of the last purely-combustion small cars left standing, so it may remain a mainstay in the segment for many years yet.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Second cheapest car to insure in the UK

- Handling is among the best in-class

- Tempting real-world economy&nbsp;

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- One of the slowest new cars around

- Ride can be firm at low speeds

- Not as spacious as comparably-priced cars

Kia Picanto

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£771

Version&nbsp;1.2 Advance&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;3E

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">i10</a>&nbsp;has been one of the most popular cars in the UK for some time now, and it’s clear to see why. It’s easy to drive and smooth across almost any road surface in the real world, even with the largest 16in alloys chosen, which makes it the comfiest city car around. The 1.2-litre four-pot is the one to have, since it slices a large chunk off the 1.0-litre variant’s 15.6sec time to 62mph for not much more money. With the Advance trim chosen, you’ll get an 8.0in multimedia screen, plenty of driving aids programmed in and smartphone connectivity.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-20-cheapest-cars-to-insure-in-2025/n28126#6">Hyundai i10</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Cheaper than the Kia i10

- Quiet and refined

- Spacious enough for its size

<hr />
<h3 dir="ltr">Weaknesses</h3>

- More expensive to insure than the i10

- Automatic gearbox is hopeless

- Safety record is poor

Hyundai i10

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£781

Version&nbsp;1.0 MPI 80 SE Edition| Insurance group&nbsp;4E

To drive, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>&nbsp;isn’t quite as exciting as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a>, but it’s quiet, refined and quick enough for what it is. We’d also highlight its simple control layout, comfortable driving position and superb all-round visibility, and though it does feel chintzy in places, the Fabia’s packed with clever features and storage spots. Opting for the entry-level SE Edition, our driver can get a PCP deal and insurance combined for under £350 per month. That’s not quite enough to break into the podium, but still hugely tempting since this recipe has only been improved over the last 25 years.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Quiet, comfortable ride

- Lots of engines to choose from&nbsp;

- Good value for money

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- More expensive to buy and insure than Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto

- Practicality isn’t the best

- No mild-hybrid option available

Skoda Fabia

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£797

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSi Life&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;9E

While many&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/best-city-cars">city cars</a>&nbsp;have been retired over the last few years, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Polo</a>&nbsp;just celebrated its 50th anniversary –&nbsp;and VW is showing no signs of slowing it down. First the bad points: it gets the annoying haptic controls, the warranty isn’t great and it starts at over £23k, making it one of the most expensive cars in its class. But here’s the good: it feels like a quality item, there’s lots of kit from standard and it’s great to drive, thanks to the supple ride and well-weighted steering. Our young Essex native can insure one for under £800 too.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Best in-class interior

- Ride is comfortable at any speed

- Generous kit list across all trims

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- Expensive to buy

- Entry-level engine is gutless

- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls

Volkswagen Polo

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£834

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCE Expression&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;14E

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-10-cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy-reviewed-and-rated/n25148">UK’s cheapest car</a> after the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroen Ami</a> (which is a quadricycle), the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Sandero’s</a> sales pitch is simple: provide everything you need for modern motoring and not much else. That's precisely why our baker can both buy and insure a new example for under £16k. It has a simple 1.0-litre engine, lots of space for people and things, and enough technology to aid (and not overwhelm) your journeys. Inevitably, there are some flaws in making it so affordable: a poor two-star <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-euro-ncap-and-how-does-it-work/n14328">Euro NCAP</a> safety rating, lots of outside noise leak at speeds, and an underwhelming 12.2sec sprint to 62mph.

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- The cheapest ‘car’ Brits can buy

- Comfortable ride

- Plenty of space

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- Some more upmarket rivals are cheaper to insure

- Safety record is a concern&nbsp;

- Not particularly engaging to drive

Dacia Sandero

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£866

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI Life&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;13E

Positioned between the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Polo hatchback</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">T-Cross small SUV</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/taigo/hatchback/review/n23908">Taigo</a> shares its underpinnings with no less than nine cars. We’d go for the entry-level 1.0-litre TSI engine and manual gearbox. It’s a pairing that gets the Taigo to 62mph in under 10secs, but remains soothing enough to lean into the excellent ride, which is softer than the more upmarket <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q2/estate/review/n120">Audi Q2</a>. Overall interior quality isn’t up with the best alternatives, with lots of hard-touch plastics present, but the Taigo does come with an 8in screen and a respectable suite of safety features. Considering how cheap it is to own, the Taigo is a winning formula.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/taigo/hatchback/review/n23908">Volkswagen Taigo review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Britain’s cheapest mini SUV to insure

- Low running costs

- Supple ride

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- Not as fun to drive as rivals

- Interior quality not the best

- Reliability isn’t great

Volkswagen Taigo

​​Cost of insurance&nbsp;£866

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Techno&nbsp;| Insurance group 11E

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> may be more than £150 cheaper to insure than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Clio</a>, but its average premium still sits comfortably within the 10 cheapest in the UK. It also gets a bigger boot than both (391 litres), and boasts a well-packaged and generously kitted interior which includes a 7in digital driver’s display and parking sensors. Opting for the 1.0-litre TCe engine should return a handy 57.6mpg in mixed conditions too, so the Clio continues to be a leader in its class on all fronts.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg3/hatchback/review/n17867"> </a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Undercuts rivals for purchase price

- Ride and handling balance is superb

- One of the most spacious cars in its class

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- Some rivals are cheaper to insure

- Engines can be choppy at times

- Low-speed ride is firm

Renault Clio

Cost of insurance&nbsp;£889

Version&nbsp;1.0 Pure&nbsp;| Insurance group&nbsp;9E

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/review/n116">Stonic</a> is one of the cheapest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUVs</a> around: it’ll cost £250 less to insure than a similarly-sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">VW T-Roc</a>, which is slightly more comfortable and quieter, but starts at over £7k more than our chosen spec. That being the Pure trim attached with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, which is more economical (albeit slower) than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a> version. The Stonic is also really easy to drive, thanks to its perky dimensions and slim pillars, which make it the perfect city car for urban dwellers.&nbsp;

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/review/n116">Kia Stonic review</a>

<hr />
<h3 dir="ltr">Strengths</h3>

- Lower insurance group than most rivals

- Lots of kit from entry level

- Long warranty&nbsp;

<hr />
<h3 dir="ltr">Weaknesses</h3>

- Ride isn’t great

- Rivals are more practical

- Lots of cheap plastics inside

Kia Stonic

​​Cost of insurance&nbsp;£900

Version&nbsp;1.0 TSI FR&nbsp;| Insurance group 12E

Spinning a car off the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> is a good idea, as is proven by the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Ibiza</a>. It’s well-priced, spacious and handsome. We also think it’s superb to drive with confidence inspiring handling and a composed ride, factors that help it hold its own against our top-rated small hatchback, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>. Our quote is for the 1.0-litre TSI 95 engine and SE Technology trim. We recommend this combo because it makes for a peppy hatch that’s frugal on fuel, and one that comes with plenty of nice-to-haves, including front parking sensors, a 9.2in infotainment screen and smartphone mirroring.

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza review</a>

<hr />
<h3>Strengths</h3>

- Fun to drive

- Sprightly performance

- User-friendly interior

<hr />
<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

- Intrusive road noise

- Not as classy inside as some rivals

- Reliability a concern

Seat Ibiza

Owning a car is expensive, and one big reason for this is the cost of insurance. The good news is that premiums have fallen each quarter this year, and are now £56 cheaper than they were a year ago. That means between July and September 2025 the average annual cost of comprehensive cover for a private motorist was £551, according to data from the <a href="https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2025/11/three-straight-quarters-of-falling-motor-premiums/">Association of British Insurers</a> (ABI), which tracks the cost of 28 million policies bought by drivers each year. Although prices have dropped, the rising cost of repairing cars and a continuing problem with car theft are costing insurers so much money that it’s stopping premiums from falling further. In fact, these factors have contributed to the insurance industry paying out £3 billion in claims from January to the end of September 2025.  So is there such a thing as ‘cheap’ car insurance anymore? In the context of the current economic climate, there is, but first it's worth looking at what defines a vehicle's insurance premium.

Every car is assigned an insurance group rating, which takes into account the vehicle’s price when new, the level of safety equipment fitted to it and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/car-security-how-to-keep-your-car-safe/n1178">anti-theft features</a> it has. The rating also considers how susceptible it is to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-cat-a-cat-b-cat-s-or-cat-n-write-off/n1103">crash damage</a>, and how much, on average, it will cost to fix. A car is then placed into a price bracket between 1 (the lowest) and 50 (the highest), with the corresponding quotes based on this, plus a person’s profile. However, a lower <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-insurance-groups-new-vehicle-risk-ratings-explained/n27157">insurance group</a> doesn’t necessarily equate to the lowest premium, so if you’re considering a number of different models it’s worth getting quotes for them all. Prices can also vary significantly between trim and engine grades for one particular car, and other factors, such as a driver’s age and circumstances, will also alter the price quoted. One way to cut premiums that can be beneficial for new or younger drivers is a ‘<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/is-a-black-box-car-insurance-policy-for-you/n1170">black box</a>’ policy. This involves having a small telematics device plugged into the car that measures a variety of metrics, including speed, braking and the time of day you’re driving. It uses the data to judge your driving performance, and it may reward sensible drivers with lower premiums. However, those who are deemed to be driving poorly can be penalised, and the other restrictions they place on drivers can also make them unpopular. So, for the purpose of this story, we’ve searched for non black box quotes. Our driver is a 23-year-old single male, who is a baker by profession and lives in Grays, Essex. He has a clean licence, five years’ no-claims bonus, on-street parking and covers 8000 miles per year. So, what are the 10 cheapest quotes he’d get? Note: Monthly PCP figures are based on a 48-month term, 10% deposit and 8,000-mile driving cap, unless stated otherwise in brackets.<h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-10-cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy-reviewed-and-rated/n25148">The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy - reviewed and rated</a></h2>

The cheapest cars to insure in 2025

cheapest cars to insure

insurance-write-offs-explained-what-is-the-difference-between-cat-a-cat-b-cat-s-and-cat-n

what-is-a-cat-a-cat-b-cat-s-or-cat-n-write-off

Browse through any <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">used car</a> or classified ads website and there’s a good chance you’ll come across something with a ‘Cat’ label attached to it, followed by one of four letters: A, B, S or N. This means that vehicle has been classed under a write-off category – introduced in 2017 by the <a href="https://www.abi.org.uk/" target="”_blank&quot;">Association of British Insurers</a> (ABI) – with the specific letter denoting the level of damage sustained after an accident. Here’s a quick overview of each insurance write-off class, from most severe to least, and the characteristics that define them:Cat A- Irrepairable structural damage- No section of the car is usable- Car must be scrapped- Whole car will never be roadworthy again Cat B- Heavy structural damage- Can be stripped for still usable parts - Body/structure must be scrapped- Part of the car will never be roadworthy again Cat S- Light structural damage- Can be repaired - Suitable for road-use following successful MOT testCat N- No structural damage, instead the damage is often to mechanical or cosmetic components- Can be repaired - Suitable for road-use following successful MOT test

While you might instinctively want to steer clear of anything with a Cat badge attached, you could be missing out on a serious bargain. According to data from the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency" target="_blank">Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency</a> (DVLA), more than 560,000 cars were written off by insurance companies in 2024. This typically happens because the damage they’ve sustained would cost the insurer more than the car’s pre-accident market value (otherwise known as Actual Cash Value) to repair. This is due to the increasing amount of expensive and sensitive technology found in new models, and the rising cost of fuel and inflation leading to increased garage bills. As a result, a minor shunt that would once have cost a few hundred quid to fix is now likely to cost thousands once the repair work and the recalibration of systems are factored in. Some written-off cars often get sent to the scrapyard to be dismantled for parts or crushed; however, others are still fit to return to the road and are typically sold on once they’ve been repaired. Many see this as an opportunity to get in on a bargain, but should you? To help you make an informed decision, we’ve created this all-encompassing guide. Keep reading for a rundown of the most asked question on insurance-write offs, plus a deep-dive into each of the various categories. <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">What does insurance write-off mean?</h3>Sometimes also called “total loss”, an insurance write-off is any instance where an insurance company has decided that the costs associated with repairing a damaged car to a safe, acceptable standard would be higher than the value of the car itself. This could range from a few minor scratches on the bodywork to a complete failure of the engine; and it’s because of this wide scope of conditions that the various write-off classifications have been created. <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">Why is a car a write-off?</h3>The most common scenario is if the car has been involved in an accident. Once reported, the vehicle’s insurer will check the damage against various criteria – from the vehicle’s age and mileage to overall condition – to determine if it should be labelled as a write-off. Thereafter, depending on the terms of the insurance agreement, one of the involved parties will be required to pay for any damages incurred.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Do you still own your car if it becomes an insurance write-off?</h3>No, you don’t. Since it is no longer road-legal, your insurance company will pay you a settlement amount – with your excess deducted – and take full ownership. You will be given the option to buy the vehicle back if it is a Cat N or Cat S vehicle, but if it has been damaged to the point of Cat A status, you will not. Instead, the insurers will begin the process of getting it scrapped. If it is a Cat B, you may be able to purchase it if you have the appropriate permit (more on this later). <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">What do you do if I don’t agree with your insurer’s valuation of the vehicle?</h3>1. Find out what the true market value of your vehicle is by searching it up against identical model/trim examples, with a similar mileage and history.2. See if you can figure out precisely what damage has been caused, and how much it should cost to get repaired by browsing for quotes.3. Contact your insurer with as much evidence as possible, making them aware of your concerns4. If a compromise cannot be met, ask your insurance company for a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR), which will provide you with a summary of how they calculated their valuation. 5. Should you remain unsatisfied and intent on taking matters further, you should look to seek legal advice at this point.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Do I have to tell the DVLA if my car is an insurance write-off?</h3>Yes, this is a non-negotiable. Failure to do so could even land you a hefty fine of up to £1000, so we’d suggest alerting them sooner rather than later by following one of the two methods:1. On the DVLA website - This is the easiest way. You simply visit the <a href="http://gov.uk" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a> website and follow the instructions. Make sure you’ve got your insurance company details and 11-digit reference number from your V5C (or logbook) to hand, as well as your vehicle’s registration number. 2. By post - On your V5C will be a yellow section, titled ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’. Fill this in with any relevant information and send it to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/written-off-vehicle#other-ways-to-apply" target="_blank">DVLA’s address</a>. Make sure you clearly state your name, address and date to avoid any delays.  Once the DVLA has been notified, you should receive a letter confirming that you are no longer the owner of the car. You’ll also be issued with a refund for any pre-paid vehicle tax you have remaining, provided you pay annually, and are eligible for a claim<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Can I sell my written-off car, and if so, how?</h3>Yes, you can sell your insurance write-off, but it’s not quite as simple as it would be a fully-functioning, road-legal vehicle. There are several key measures that have to be taken, and authorities that need to be alerted – the DVLA, Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud &amp; Theft Register (MIAFTR) or even the police, in some instances. Even if you’re selling the car privately, it’s imperative that you specify which write-off category your car is registered as, and that you’re completely transparent about the damages present. Typically, these are the steps you should take: 1. Start by telling your insurance company that you intend to buy it back2. Agree on a price and a write-off category, and then fix a collection date3. Alert the DVLA of your decision and make them aware of the vehicle’s condition4. Once you’ve collected your vehicle, get an inspection done by a professional mechanic or garage, so they can provide a clear run-down of just what needs fixing5. Pull together all the necessary documents and paperwork, including any notes provided by the vehicle inspectors clarifying how much the repairs are estimated to be6. Take lots of photos with as much attention to detail as possible of the damaged areas, but also, of the sections that still remain in good condition7. Think of a realistic price, based on the car’s market value minus the expected repair costs as per the inspection report8. Create an advert on a used car sales website and list your vehicle: remember to be completely honest about the car’s category (A, B, S or N), and therefore, whether or not the car will ever be drivable or must be picked for parts9. Once you’ve found a willing buyer and agreed on a value, you must create two receipts confirming the transaction – one for you, and one for the buyer10. Notify the DVLA once more that you have sold the car (this is a relatively quick process on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle" target="_blank">DVLA website</a>) 11. Pass the keys and any accompanying documents to the new owner, and say your farewells<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">How do you check if a car you’re buying is an insurance write-off?</h3>First and foremost, the seller should clearly identify the car’s condition on the advertisement if it’s a write-off. This is normally highlighted high up on the overview section, or included in the vehicle description. Just to be on the safe side, we’d recommend paying for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/how-to-find-your-cars-service-history/n1111">history check</a> by using one of the many online tools. <hr /><h3>How do I buy an insurance write-off?</h3>An insurance write-off could be a tempting purchase – provided you’re fully aware of the risks involved and have an understanding of the car and the cost of the work. If you’ve found an advert that you’re interested in, follow these steps: 1. Pay for a history check - If a seller is trying to make money by advertising a repaired write-off without disclosing the fact, this should show up in a history check. As well as confirming whether a car has previously been written off, some checks will provide you with details and photos of the damage the car sustained, helping you to judge whether or not you should buy it. As with any used car, a car history check will also tell you whether the vehicle has been stolen or is subject to any outstanding finance, along with the results and mileage data from previous MOTs.2. Get an inspection - This will cost you upwards of £100, but it’s worth the price. An inspector knows what to check for and could find accident damage that you haven’t spotted. <a href="https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection/">The AA</a>, <a href="https://www.mycarinspections.co.uk/cat-n-vehicle-inspection/">My Car Inspections</a> and the <a href="https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections">RAC</a> all provide inspection services that could save you from buying a potentially unsafe car.3. Ask lots of questions - The insurer doesn’t have to release any information about how a car became a write-off, but some well-targeted questions to the seller can help you uncover what happened. The seller should be able to tell you what damage the car sustained, what parts were replaced and where the repairs were carried out. If they seem to be unsure of something or unwilling to answer certain questions, it may be best to walk away.4. Tell your insurance company - Make sure you inform your insurance company that the car is an insurance write-off. It will probably have to be noted on your policy, otherwise you risk having any claim turned down in the future. Unfortunately, most insurance providers will charge more to cover a written-off car.5. Investigate a warranty - Some used <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/extended-car-warranty-guide-2023/n1125">warranty</a> suppliers will provide cover for Cat N and Cat S cars. It could be a surprisingly cost-effective way of giving yourself some peace of mind about your new purchase and any repairs that have been done to it.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Should I buy an insurance write-off?</h3>This is subjective, and depends on a number of factors: how confident are you about sorting the repairs yourself? Do you know someone that could do the repairs if not, and how confident are you that they will do a good job? Is the seller legitimate? Are there any guarantees in place in case you’ve been missold a vehicle that is more damaged than advertised? You need to consider every possible scenario and make sure every question is answered by the seller before you decide to purchase a Cat N or Cat S vehicle. But if you tread carefully, have done enough research, and work with the right people to ensure that the vehicle comfortably passes its MOT, you could be getting a bargain. Remember: some write-offs have very minor damage accrued, be it LED headlights, worn suspension bearings or damage to a body panel. Faults like these are not difficult to sort, but it is imperative that there are no deeper-lying issues beyond what can be seen or what has been advertised.<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">What is the process for turning an insurance write-off into a road-legal vehicle? </h3>If you’ve gone for a Cat A or Cat B vehicle, you’re likely a tradesperson who knows what you're doing, and aware of the procedures for extracting parts. So we’ll focus instead on those that have purchased a Cat N or Cat S vehicle, and want to find out how they can put their new car on the road again. 1. After you’ve had your vehicle inspection, make a list of all the specific jobs that need completing, as suggested by the inspector 2. Find a suitable workshop that has the time and means to complete the work. It is often better to stick with one workshop rather than switching between several, because it means they are aware of what jobs have already been completed and allows for more consistency with repairs3. Once your Cat N or Cat S vehicle has been completed, you’ll need to get a new MOT. This may even be offered by the workshop that fixed it4. Provided it passes its MOT, you’ll then need to inform the DVLA of your intentions to put it back on the road. For a Cat N vehicle, you can keep the pre-existing V5C; for a Cat S, you’ll need to get a new one by completing a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-vehicle-registration-certificate" target="_blank">V62 form</a>5. Finally, you’ll need to get your vehicle insured. It’s worth mentioning precisely what work has gone into the vehicle, so they can give you an accurate estimate6. Once all your forms are in order, and the vehicle deemed safe again to use on the road, you may do so7. It’s worth noting that your vehicle’s insurance write-off status can never permanently be removed – so it will remain a Cat N or Cat S for the life of the vehicle. This is to future proof it and make sure other owners are aware of its history<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Is it worth buying a Cat A, B, N or S car?</h3>There is no right or wrong answer here, it comes down to personal circumstances. But for some clarity, What Car? content editor, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/jack-mortimer/n27694">Jack Mortimer</a>, says: “With the cost of repairing a car on the rise, many write-offs are no longer the crusher-bound wrecks many of us imagine. With enough knowledge about the damage and how it can be fixed, you might be able to get the car of your dreams for thousands less than its typical value.“That said, even if the car is up to your standards, it’s worth remembering that you’ll typically have to pay more to insure a written-off car and, when it’s time to sell it on, you might not get as much as you would with an accident-free equivalent. As a result, it’s vital that you weigh up the costs before you decide what to buy.”<hr />Our next section delves into the specifics of Cat A, Cat B, Cat N and Cat S vehicles types: what they are, the advantages and disadvantages and whether you should buy one.

<h3 dir="ltr">CAT A - What is the meaning of a Cat A car?</h3>The highest-possible designation for an insurance write-off, Cat A cars are vehicles that are completely unsalvageable: the body, chassis, panels and even interior elements can never be repaired, resold or reused again. This is because the damage inflicted has been so severe that putting any section of the car on the road again could make its donor car a liability. They are destined for the scrapyard, unfortunately. <h3 dir="ltr">Should I buy a Cat A car?</h3>It is illegal for a Cat A designation car to ever be sold – even in parts. If you see one for sale, or suspect one is being advertised online, you should report it to the marketplace’s higher powers at once. <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">CAT B - What is the meaning of a Cat B car?</h3>This designation stands for ‘break’ and means that, although these cars have suffered extensive damage and are beyond repair, they contain some parts that can be recycled. These could include sections of the engine or transmission that are still working, or bits of the cabin that remain in good condition. Once any salvageable parts have been removed, the bodyshell must be crushed. You must also hold an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/end-of-life-vehicles-elvs-guidance-for-waste-sites" target="_blank">End-of-Life (ELV) permit</a> to be able to buy a Cat B vehicle. <h3 dir="ltr">What are the advantages of a Cat B car?</h3>- You could gain valuable parts for below market value- Parts would likely be of manufacturer-standard quality- It is environmentally friendly, since you’re reducing waste by recycling still usable parts<h3 dir="ltr">What are the disadvantages of a Cat B car?</h3>- You are not allowed to dismantle a Cat B vehicle without the correct licenses - ELV permits can be costly; starting from £4,000 in initial costs, before you pay a rolling annual fee to continue holdership - You will be responsible for making sure the parts are in working order before selling them on- The car will never be drivable in its factory form<h3>Should I buy a Cat B car?</h3>Buying a Cat B vehicle may be a bit of a gamble: it could be a potential moneymaker if you’ve got the right permit, or you could find that the parts you’re salvaging aren’t actually as valuable as you first thought. So, do your research, ask plenty of questions, and have a clear idea of whether the costs involved will be worth it. If you don’t have the correct permits or skills in place, and money to spend, you shouldn’t entertain the prospect as it’s far too complicated. <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">CAT S - What is the meaning of a Cat S car?</h3>The ‘S’ stands for ‘structural’, which means cars in this category have sustained damage to their structural frame, but they can still be repaired and resold. A Cat S car could have a bent or twisted chassis, or a crumple zone that has collapsed in a crash, so it must be professionally repaired and inspected before being allowed back on the road. Insurers are legally bound to destroy the original logbook of a Cat S car, and the repairer or buyer of it must apply for a replacement document that will have ‘Cat S’ stated on it.<h3 dir="ltr">What are the advantages of a Cat S car?</h3>- Could be as much as 50% cheaper than non-Cat alternatives, depending on the level of damage- Professional mechanics could take these on and have access to luxury cars without having to pay labour costs  <h3>What are the disadvantages of a Cat S car?</h3>- Lower purchase price could mean higher expenditure on repairs- Resale value will almost certainly be lower than a non-Cat example- Insurance could be noticeably higher- You’ll need to get the repairs done by someone that’s trusted- Any existing manufacturer warranty is likely invalidated<h3>Should I buy a Cat S car? </h3>Provided you’re skilled and knowledgeable enough to fix the car yourself, or know somebody who is, buying a Cat S car could save you thousands of pounds. Make sure the work has been completed diligently, the vehicle passes all of its regulatory tests, and you are completely satisfied with how the car drives and feels once it’s back on the road. This could be the ideal solution for someone who’s looking for a bit of short-term fun – so long as they accept they probably won’t get market value back for it.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">CAT N - What is the meaning of a Cat N car?</h3>The second and last designation of the write-off categories that can be repaired and resold. The ‘N’ in the name stands for ‘non-structural’ and denotes that, while these cars have been <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">involved in an accident</a>, they haven’t suffered damage to their structure. Instead, they have probably sustained cosmetic damage to bumpers or other panels, or they might have mechanical or electrical problems that aren’t economically viable to repair.Although the structural integrity of a Cat N car will still be at an acceptably safe standard, it might not be drivable, and some safety-critical parts, such as brakes, steering or suspension components, might need to be replaced. Although the DVLA must be informed that a car is a Cat N write-off, this information isn’t stated in the car’s logbook, so it’s important to get a history check to see if a car is listed as Cat N. <h3>What are the advantages of a Cat N car?</h3>- Primarily, Cat N cars tend to be much cheaper to purchase (sometimes as much as 20-40% less)- Could have it repaired and back on the road for much less than an identical non-Cat-designated vehicle <h3 dir="ltr">What are the disadvantages of a Cat N car?</h3>- Imperative to have it checked and repaired by a professional mechanic   - Resale value will almost always be less than a non-Cat vehicle- You might easily underestimate the value of repairs (or be manipulated into false repair costs by the previous seller)- Insurance will be higher<h3>Should I buy a Cat N car?</h3>It’s a tempting thought, and could prove to be a massive bargain if you get the right car at the right price. Provided you’ve had the right advice from your local workshop, and you’re absolutely convinced by both the seller and the vehicle, a Cat N could end up being a shrewd investment if you know what you’re doing.<h2 dir="ltr">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></h2><h2 dir="ltr">Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/top-10-pre-mot-checks/n1197">What's checked in an MOT and how to pass first time</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Insurance write-offs explained: what is the difference between Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N?

What is a Cat A, Cat B, Cat S or Cat N write-off?

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Saloon

Tesla

Model 3

On 1 October 2025, the UK energy price cap increased by 2.1% to bump the average annual household bill up by £35, from £1720 to £1755. It also means that, until December 31 2025 at the very least, the maximum price per unit of electricity in the UK will stagnate at 26.35p — a rise of just under a penny per kilowatt-hour (kWh).This is reflective of the global energy market prices as we head into the winter months — but it means the cost of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/ev-charging">charging your EV</a> at home may have also changed recently.While <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">home charging</a> is significantly cheaper than using a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charger</a>, the best way to cut the cost of running an EV is by taking advantage of the growing number of energy tariffs designed with electric car owners in mind. These tariffs typically offer a lower rate during off-peak hours, meaning you can charge the battery of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">an electric car</a> from 10% to 80% for as little as a few pounds.It’s not just electric car owners who can benefit, either. While <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) models use smaller batteries which are cheaper to charge, switching to an EV tariff can still help owners save a noticeable amount in the long run.According to research from the home chargepoint producer Andersen, 21% of plug-in hybrid car owners in the UK — around 118,000 people as of August 2025 — don’t have a smart charger which can make best use of off-peak energy costs. The company estimates that these drivers could save as much as £600 per year by making the switch.Even so, not all electric car energy tariffs are created equal, and choosing the right one can make a significant difference to the size of your monthly bill, so it pays to do your homework.Here, we’ve reviewed and rated the best electric vehicle tariffs currently on the market, and we’ve explained how to choose the ideal ones for your needs, as well as explaining other vital factors that could influence your decision.<h2 dir="ltr">How we rate the home electric car tariffs</h2>Price is the biggest concern for homeowners, so our first consideration when ranking the home EV charging tariffs was how much they would cost to charge up an EV. To compare them, we calculated the cost of charging up a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> Long Range with a 75kW useable battery capacity from 10% to 80% in Kent.

Because it's not always possible to charge a 52kWh battery from 10% to 80% during off-peak hours, due to the size of the battery and the 7kW electricity supply most properties used, we had to split our sums.- We multiplied the number of cheap rate hours each tariff provides by our home charge speed (7kW) to gives the total amount of charge regained out of the required 70% (or 52.5kWh) during the cheap charge period- We then multiplied the remaining amount of charge needed by the peak rate cost to gives the total use fee for the peak rate hours- Finally, we added both figures to get the total cost of charge from 10-80% in a dayFor tariffs with shorter off-peak prices we’ve used the low rate price for the first five, six or seven hours and then resorted to the peak price for the remainder of the charge session.Using the Good Energy Fixed Tariff as an example, we calculated how much of the battery would be charged in five hours and multiplied it by 6.6p. We then worked out how much the remainder would cost to charge with the peak rate of 30.56p. The low rate cost is £2.31 and the peak rate fee is £5.35, meaning the total cost to charge from 10% to 80% is £7.66.This demonstrates the importance of also choosing a tariff with a low peak hours rate, so we’ve considered this, along with the daily standing charge, when rating the companies.For the eight energy companies we have customer satisfaction data collected from our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">best home EV chargers</a> feature, we’ve also factored in the scores provided by users wherever possible.Prices are correct as of 8 October 2025.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">The best home electric car tariffs in 2025</h2><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">1. OVO Charge Anytime</h3>EV charging rate 7.0p/kWhEV charging times AnytimeOne day charging cost £3.68

An optional extra that can be added to any OVO energy tariff for free, Charge Anytime enables you to charge up your EV any time of the day or night at the cheapest rate of 7p/kWh. It determines when the best time to charge the car is, depending on how much load is on the grid. All you have to do is remember to leave your car plugged into the wallbox, and let the system know what time you need the car charged up by.The downside for heavy electricity users is that the special rate is only applicable to EV charging, and can’t be used to power any other electrical devices that you might want to run at night on a timer, such as a washing machine or dishwasher.In our last energy provider survey, OVO had the second-highest customer satisfaction rating at 88%.<a href="https://www.ovoenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit OVO for more information</a><hr /><h3>2. Scottish Power EV Optimise</h3>EV changing rate 9p/kWhEV charging times 24/7One day charging cost £4.73While almost all electric car tariffs will only offer their cheap rate for a few hours overnight, EV Optimise from Scottish Power lets you charge at the lesser fee throughout the day. This is important because many electric cars can take over five hours to charge using a typical 7kW home charger.As such, the 9p/kWh rate is very reasonable, but other appliances around the house will be subject to the tariff’s peak charge.At 76%, the customer satisfaction rating for the energy company is among the lowest in our survey, so not all users are overly happy with the company.<a href="https://www.scottishpower.co.uk" target="_blank">Visit Scottish Power for more information</a><hr /><h3>3. Octopus Energy Intelligent Go</h3>EV charging rate 7p/kWhEV charging times 23.30-05.30One day charging cost £5.72Octopus’s most flexible tariff is favourable because it gives you two cheap charging options and six hours of off-peak charging for all appliances, not just your car. You can either charge your car up overnight for six hours at 7p/kWh, or leave the car plugged in and let Octopus know when you need it charged by, and it will top up the batteries at any time when there is excess energy on the grid.

And Octopus isn’t clawing back too much in peak kWh or standing charge rates. At 26.43p and 44.32p respectively, both of these are fairly low compared with rival providers. The tariff is not available with all home EV chargers, but more brands have been added recently. The icing on the cake for Octopus customers is that the company has the highest satisfaction rating of all those in our last home EV charger survey. Octopus Intelligent Go customers gave the company a rating of 95%, and the company as a whole scored 91%.<a href="https://octopus.energy/" target="_blank">Visit Octopus for more information</a>  <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">4. E.On Next Next Drive Fixed V9</h3>EV charging rate 6.7p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-06.00One day charging cost £5.75

Although this is one of the cheapest EV charging tariffs available, it’s not as flexible. Unlike OVO Charge Anytime or Scottish Power EV Optimise, you can only get the cheap rate for six hours – although this is still an hour longer than many other EV tariffs. Perhaps more crucially, though, any other appliances used when the cheap rate is in effect will attract a standard rate of 28.89p/kWh. The 48.03p daily standing charge is reasonable, thoughOnce you sign up to this tariff, your rates will be fixed for 12 months. E.On gained the third highest rating from customers in our latest study. 89% were very satisfied with the level of service provided. <a href="https://www.eonenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit E.On for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">5. Utility Warehouse EV tariff</h3>EV changing rate 7-8.5p/kWhEV charging times 0.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.07-£7.59Utility Warehouse’s EV tariff is different to most because the off-peak rate depends on how many of their services you use. Customers who only get their electricity from Utility Warehouse can charge their EV for 8.5p/kWh – a figure that drops to 7p/kWh for those who use the company for their broadband, insurance and smartphone. Like many other tariffs on this list, the lower rate is only available for five hours overnight, but the 26.39p peak rate and 45.14p standing charge are very reasonable.We didn’t have enough responses from Utility Warehouse customers to give it a satisfaction rating.<a href="https://uw.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Utility Warehouse for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">6. Ecotricity EV tariff</h3>EV charging rate 8.0p/kWhEV charging times 12.00-05.00 (or 01.00-06.00 in the summer months)One day charging cost £7.08

Like many of the offerings here, the ultra-cheap rate is limited to five hours a day, and the 8p/kWh charge is slightly higher than what some alternatives offer.Nevertheless, the standard rate of 23.42p/kWh is low and the daily standing charge of 47.85p is reasonable.We didn’t have enough responses to give Ecotricity a customer satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Ecotricity for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">7. British Gas Electric Driver</h3>EV charging rate 7.9p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.51Similar to many EV tariffs, British Gas’ offering is limited to five hours charging during off-peak hours. While its EV rate is slightly pricier than that of Good Energy, its standard rate is lower at 27.1p, so it’ll cost you less to use other appliances at peak hours. The daily standing rate of 55.69p is higher than many alternatives, however – giving it less appeal for those who need to use a fair amount of electricity during the day.British Gas customers were mostly happy with the level of service and gave the company a 74% satisfaction rating in our latest study. <a href="https://www.britishgas.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit British Gas for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">8. Good Energy Fixed</h3>EV charging rate 6.6p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.66A 6.6p/kWh charging rate represents good value for money, but it’s limited by the short time limit of five hours overnight. Fortunately, the off-peak rate doesn’t just apply to your EV. So, if you have other electrical appliances on timers, you’ll be able to benefit from that low rate.The downsides are that the standard rate of 30.56p/kWh and the daily standing charge of 56.67p/kWh are both higher than many tariffs from alternative companies.Like the E.On tariff, the Good Energy one fixes the prices you pay for a year. We didn’t have enough responses to give Good Energy a customer satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Good Energy for more information</a><hr /><h3>9. EDF GoElectric Overnight</h3>EV charging rate 8.99p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.69While this EV tariff has a reasonably cheap overnight rate of 8.99p/kWh, its daily fee is rather high at 56.74p, but its standard rate is low at 26.39p/kWh. Unfortunately, in our last survey, the brand had the lowest customer satisfaction rating – scoring 71%.

<a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit EDF for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">10. Octopus Energy Go</h3>EV charging rate 8.5p/kWhEV charging times 00.30-05.30One day charging cost £8.03If you don’t have a charger that’s compatible with Octopus’s 'Intelligent' Go tariff, this is the next best option from the company. While the EV rate isn’t the lowest available, the standard electricity rate of 28.87p/kWh and daily charge of 44.78p are both very fair. During off-peak times, customers can run other appliances around the house at the reduced rate; however, this only applies for five hours a night – one less than Intelligent Go offers.Although Octopus Go customers weren’t as happy as those on Intelligent Go, they still rated the company and the tariff they were on pretty highly, giving it a satisfaction rating of 92%. <a href="https://octopus.energy/" target="_blank">Visit Octopus for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">11. Scottish Power EV Saver</h3>EV charging rate 7.2p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £8.17Scottish Power’s EV rate is good at 7.2p, but users only get that for five hours a night, and the standard rate of 32.29p is on the high side. Nevertheless, the daily standing charge of 39.97p is the cheapest we’ve seen.Unfortunately, Scottish Power did not rank highly in our latest customer satisfaction survey, gaining a score of 76%.<a href="https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Scottish Power for more information</a><hr /><h3 dir="ltr">12. EDF EVolve Sept 2026</h3>EV charging rate 16.3p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £10.32EDF’s fixed rate EV tariff doesn’t represent as good a value as GoElectric Overnight, with a night time rate of 16.3p. The off-peak rate is only available for five hours per night but is available to all appliances around the house.While the standard rate of 26.39p is slightly higher than that of GoElectric Overnight, the daily charge of 45.29p is more than 10p cheaper.The overall ranking is also adversely affected by the brand’s 71% satisfaction score, which is the lowest of the companies rated. <a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit EDF for more information</a>  <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">What types of EV tariffs are there?</h3>Single rate electricity tariffsConventional plans provide electricity at a fixed rate, given in pence per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh), in addition to a daily standing charge. This offers a good balance for many people, because it means you don’t have to worry about racking up a huge bill by running energy-intensive appliances (such as a dishwasher or washing machine) at peak times.Dual rate electricity tariffsBy contrast, ‘dual rate’ tariffs, as the name suggests, offer two different prices – a peak rate during the day, and a cheaper off-peak rate overnight – to encourage people to save money by using more electricity when demand is lower.

Therefore, if you’re an EV driver who can plug in overnight, you’ll be able to save money by setting your car to charge during the off-peak period. You can usually do this via the car’s app or infotainment system, or using your home wallbox app.The trade-off for off-peak savings is an increase in the peak rate. In fact, the peak price on dual rate policies is allowed to exceed the Ofgem Energy Price Cap (currently 22.36p/kWh*) based on the size of the off-peak discount.Dual rate tariffs with EV smart chargingWhile many EV tariffs are simply dual rate tariffs, some go a step further. Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus and OVO Energy’s Charge Anytime both allow owners to access ‘smart charging’ at a discounted rate throughout the day as well as at night.This means that on top of discounted overnight power, your car can be automatically told to charge when electricity production is at its greenest outside the off-peak period, and you’ll still only be charged the lower rate.One thing to bear in mind, however: in order to be able to take advantage of smart charging, either your car or your home wallbox charger must be compatible with your chosen provider’s smart charging service. It’s worth ensuring that your car or charger are compatible, otherwise you might find you’re able to get a better deal elsewhere.<h3 dir="ltr">How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?</h3>To give you an idea of just how much you could save, here’s an example using the results from our recent EV<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/range-test-how-far-can-electric-cars-really-go/n24836"> range test</a>. In that test, the second most efficient model was the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010"> Tesla Model 3</a> Long Range. It eked 324 miles of range out of its 75kWh battery, equivalent to an efficiency of 4.3 miles/kWh.

Charging that car at home, at a typical rate of 22p/kWh, would mean a £509 spend for 10,000 miles of driving. By contrast, the best-value EV tariff we found (OVO’s Charge Anytime) offers electric car smart charging at a rate of 7p/kWh. At this rate, fuelling a Model 3 could cost as little as £162 for every 10,000 miles covered.You can read more about this in our feature on <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-true-cost-of-using-public-charging-points/n21009">how much does it cost to charge an electric car</a> feature.<h3 dir="ltr">What is the best EV tariff for me?</h3>There are four key stats to consider when working out how much you could save by switching to an EV tariff:Peak rate – the rate you’ll pay to power your home during the day. This will be more expensive for a dual rate than a single rate tariff, so it’s worth checking how much more that will cost you day to day.Off-peak rate – the discounted rate on a dual rate tariff. This is the rate you’ll pay for electricity between certain hours of the night, although these hours vary from policy to policy. This is also the rate you’ll be charged at for EV smart charging.Smart charging – additional off-peak-rate EV charging offered when the electricity supply is greenest. It can be a useful add-on if you frequently plug in during the day, but you need a compatible car or charger to be able to reap the savings.Standing charge – a fixed daily fee charged while an electricity tariff is in place. The current Ofgem Energy Price Cap sets the maximum standing charge at 53p per day*.Maximising your savings means finding a balance between those factors to best suit your lifestyle. <h3 dir="ltr">What is the OFGEM energy price cap? </h3>This is the maximum amount an energy supplier can charge householders for each unit of electricity they use and for the daily standing charge for the energy. It was introduced by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), the energy price regulator, in 2019 to stop consumers from paying too much for electricity if they remained loyal to one supplier for many years. There are also price caps for gas, and those for electricity and gas are both reviewed every three months. Introduced on 1 October 2025, Ofgem’s latest Energy Price Cap for a typical household using both electricity and gas is £1755 – 2.1% more than the previous cap due to the increasing cost of global energy prices. Under the current figures, the energy price cap per unit stands at 26.35p/kWh whereas the daily standing charge is capped at 53.68p.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></h2><h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">Best home EV chargers</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Best EV home charging tariffs 2025: here are the best and cheapest we’ve found

Best home charging tariffs

the-10-cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy-reviewed-and-rated

Coupe

Citroen

City-Car

Citroën

Spring

SPRING

Leapmotor

LEAPMOTOR

Sandero Stepway

Convertible

Caterham

Super Seven Convertible

Sports

Super Sevens

Version&nbsp;Ami Coupe&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£7,705 &nbsp;|&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£7,705 

Though technically not a car, but a ‘quadricycle’ (like the <a href="http://electric">Fiat Topolino</a>), the cutesy <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroen Ami</a> 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&nbsp;prospect for you: its 46 miles of range and 28mph top speed will be fine for narrow streets and tight traffic. But it 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.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-electric-cars/n26959">small electric cars</a> list instead.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami review</a></h2>

Citroën Ami

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,705 | Best&nbsp;Price&nbsp;£14,705

The first four-star rated car featured on our list is the humble <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>. It’s been more than a decade since the first&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

Just over £14,700 is enough to&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

The one big drawback with the Sandero is its safety rating: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> awarded it just two stars, despite it sharing the same underpinnings as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a> (since Renault owns Dacia). For all its qualities, this could be considered the achilles heel for the Sandero.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero review</a></h2>

Version&nbsp;45 26.8kWh Expression Auto 5dr&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,995&nbsp;|&nbsp;Best Price £12,034

The cheapest electric ‘car’ per se that you can buy right now is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/spring/hatchback/review/n26964">Dacia Spring</a>. And guess what? It’s also an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>. 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.&nbsp;

What’s more, our best price estimate means you can get one for almost £3000 less than the list price. 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-electric-cars/n26959">small electric cars</a>, like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-c3/hatchback/review/n26854">Citroen e-C3</a>, it’s pretty rudimentary.&nbsp;

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.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/spring/hatchback/review/n26964">Dacia Spring&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Dacia Spring

Version&nbsp;37.3kWh Auto 5dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,995 |&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£13,989

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/leapmotor/t03/hatchback/review/n27136">Leapmotor T03</a> actually shares some of its DNA with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3/hatchback/review/n26854">Citroen e-C3</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500e</a>, since the Chinese brand falls under <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-stellantis/n26975">the Stellantis group</a>. And the sales pitch is clear: offer lots of standard equipment and a decent drive for not much money. It does just that.&nbsp;

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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-electric-cars/n26959">small electric cars</a>. A 165-mile range isn’t bad either, but only betters the Spring in its category.&nbsp;

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 almost £2000 more than the Spring, but it’s arguably worth the excess.

<h2>Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/leapmotor/t03/hatchback/review/n27136">Leapmotor T03 review</a></h2>

Leapmotor T03

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Essential Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£16,015&nbsp;|&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£16,015

Think <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>, but…more. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero-stepway/hatchback/review/n17269">Stepway</a> 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.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

Aside from its Spring-shaped sibling, the Stepway is also noticeably cheaper than similarly-themed small, high-riding hatchbacks like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Honda Jazz Crosstar</a>. By over £6000&nbsp;where that particular example is concerned, no less.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero-stepway/hatchback/review/n17269">Dacia Sandero Stepway&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Dacia Sandero Stepway

Version&nbsp;1.0 Pure Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£16,695 &nbsp;|&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£15,195

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Picanto</a> was given its big overhaul last year, which, despite the small price increase, completely uprated the small car's interior and exterior. You’ll now find even more standard-fit bits, including an 8.0in touchscreen, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.&nbsp;

Although it's pretty&nbsp;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.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Version&nbsp;1.0 Advance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,100 |&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£15,130

The first car to break past the £17,000 threshold is the&nbsp;little <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, which has 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.&nbsp;

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.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10 review</a></h2>

Version&nbsp;1.0 VVT- i Pure Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,145 |&nbsp;Best Price&nbsp;£15,745

Toyota introduced the revamped <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Aygo X</a> earlier this year, which gained a new grille, thicker arches and strips of black paint. Though as one might mistakenly think, considering the styling, it doesn’t actually get 4WD. Still, it does look good, and with a cheapest possible price of less than £16,000, it’s priced just as handsomely.&nbsp;

But by far the biggest change introduced by Toyota is the new petrol-electric&nbsp;full-hybrid setup, which is shared with the bigger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Yaris</a> model. It allows the Aygo X to produce the lowest emissions of any non-plug-in car on sale, and thanks to a total output of 114bhp, cuts a massive 5.7secs off its predecessor’s 0-62mph time (now 9.2secs).&nbsp;

A GR Sport trim level does exist too, which adds a stiffer suspension and slightly sharper steering, but the changes aren’t huge. As such, we’d just stick with the standard car.

<h2>Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X review</a></h2>

Version&nbsp;1.5 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,245 |&nbsp;Best Price £14,695

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">Small cars</a> are slowly being frozen out by manufacturers, because it's hard to sell cheap ones profitably. And that&nbsp;makes MG’s decision to renew the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg3/hatchback/review/n17867">MG3</a> for a third-generation all the more commendable. And it hasn’t shied away with equipment for even the more modest trim levels either.&nbsp;

You’ll find&nbsp;an entry-level with a 1.5-litre petrol engine for a little over £14,500, which produces 113bhp and allows for a 0-62mph time of 8.0sec&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

The MG3 does claw some points back in the cabin, where the fit and finish is tidy. Featuring&nbsp;a 10.25in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">touchscreen</a>, you’ll even get <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, bluetooth and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-sat-nav-apps/n24915">sat-nav</a> all as standard. Interested?

<h2>Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg3/hatchback/review/n17867">MG3 review</a></h2>

Version&nbsp;0.6 160 2dr |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£17,990 |&nbsp;Best Price £17,990

Yep, a Caterham has managed to sneak onto our list of 10 cheapest new cars you can buy. It’s not going to be a full-bore track monster like the 620, but rather, the standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/caterham/super-sevens/sports/review/n17247">Seven</a>. It’s equipped with a 620cc three-cylinder petrol engine, which produces just&nbsp;84bhp.&nbsp;

If that sounds weedy, do consider the Seven weighs just 440kg (in R guise), which means a power-to-weight ratio of a very respectable 191bhp per tonne. That sits in the ballpark of most <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot hatches</a>, and since you’re so exposed in the cabin, the experience will feel spritely enough.&nbsp;

Don’t, however, think you’re getting much by way of practicality or comfort: the ethos behind the Seven stretches back several decades now. That means it’s cramped and fairly uncomfortable. You’ll get seats, a steering wheel, some dials and pedals, and… that’s about it. At least it’s cheap.

<h2>Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/caterham/super-sevens/sports/review/n17247">Caterham Seven review</a></h2>

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<h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/coming-soon-new-cars-worth-waiting-for/n24987">New cars coming soon</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Caterham Seven

Even though prices of new cars seem to only be heading up, it’s still possible to find a bargain with a limited budget. Sure, buying a new car is likely to be among the biggest purchases you make, but with prices starting from just £7705, the cost of a brand-new car might surprise you. In this list we’ll prove just that, by showing you 10 of the cheapest new cars that you can buy, offering a variety of body styles, including <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUVs</a>, as well as multiple power options, including mild hybrid and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">fully electric</a>.

We’ll look into other features that matter to buyers too, ranging from comfort and practicality to reliability, and prove that you needn’t compromise on these things just because you’re looking at entry level cars. Better still, a lot of the cars we’ve quoted here have tempting discounts available, so we’d suggest checking out our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> service to see just how much you could save. If any of the cars do take to your liking, you can follow through to the full review to see just what you’ll be getting for your money. Finally, we’ve even thrown in some of the most commonly asked questions around small car ownership at the end of this page; handy, particularly if you’re buying a new car for the first time.<hr /><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/d77b5cae5b94&amp;rdt=4">The What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now</a>

The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy - reviewed and rated

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.

There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.

Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;

Plug-in hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Long range and ultra-fast charging capability</li> <li>Luxurious and comfortable interior</li> <li>Smooth ride and capable handling</li> <li>Lots of high-tech driver aids</li> <li>Strong performance and great refinement</li></ul>

Large Electric

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Electric SUV

With fuel prices rising across the country, we've gathered everything you need to know about saving money on running costs into one place

Saving money

A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth has long&nbsp;produced high performance versions of Fiat's cars.

In recent years, Abarth has been established&nbsp;as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën split off its DS luxury division several years ago. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.

The Abarth 500e is a sporty version of the Fiat 500 Electric, whilst the Abarth 595 is a beefed-up version of the older Fiat 500 hatchback.

Abarth

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

Alfa Romeo

Alpine (pronounced 'Al-peen') only makes one model, but if you’re in the market for a sports car, this French brand is worthy of your attention.

Its A110 is one of the best-handling cars on sale today. And while it’s not especially powerful, it’s still properly quick, thanks to its low weight.

The looks and character of today’s A110 were inspired by a legendary namesake that won the first ever World Rally Championship back in 1973. But the new car is undoubtedly a worthy successor.

Alpine

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

Audi

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BYD is one of the biggest names in electric cars globally, but only launched in the UK recently.

Even so, it has a fast-growing dealer network, and it's models - most notably the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal - are gaining attention for impressive tech and good driving ranges.

Other BYDs include the MG4-sized Dolphin and Nissan Qashqai-sized Atto 3.

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the Stellantis group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The first DS models were essentially rebadged Citroëns, but more recently its cars are now standalone models in their own right. Yet under the skin, they're still very closely related.

Its models are&nbsp;influenced by the French fashion industry and are designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

DS AUTOMOBILES

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

Fiat

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

Ford

Geely

Genesis

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

Honda

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

Jeep

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

Lexus

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

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