The average price of a new car in the UK is now over £20,000, but the good news is that there are still some fairly compelling options available for those on a lower budget who want the peace-of-mind and reassurance that a new car gives.
Here are 10 of the best new cars under £10,000 that you can buy today:
10. Dacia Sandero
At £5,995, the Dacia Sandero Access sCe has the honour of being Britain’s cheapest brand-new car, yet at the same time it’s not too shabby. In Access spec, the Sandero redefines basic – even a radio is an option – but as no-frills motoring goes you can’t argue with the price. It’s not bad to drive, either. High trim levels get more kit and still don’t threaten the £10k barrier.
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9. MG 3
MG markets the 3 as a proper supermini for the price of a city car, and in terms of value for money the British-designed, Chinese-made MG makes a case for itself. It’s quite good fun to drive, too, while the MG network is made up of mostly family-run dealerships, with a reputation for strong customer service.
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8. Fiat Panda
Unlike many city cars, the Panda is a five-door hatchback with seating for five adults. Our budget gets you behind the wheel of a Panda Pop, which sounds more like a soft drink than a car. But its 1242cc engine is one of the biggest you’ll find in this class, making the fun-size Fiat vibrant and lively to drive. It also has a hugely practical interior.
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7. SEAT Mii
The only reason the Mii doesn’t feature higher up this list is because only one trim level is available within budget, whereas its sister cars, the VW Up! and Skoda Citigo, offer more choice for £10k. That said, the Mii SE 12v is one of the better-equipped city cars on the market, while the SEAT badge has a more youthful appeal than its stablemates.
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6. Vauxhall Viva
It’s hardly the last word in excitement from the outside, but the Vauxhall Viva is surprisingly peppy to drive, with an entertaining chassis and a revvy three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. It’s also one of the few cars in its class available with a touch-screen infotainment system, incorporating Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
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5. Dacia Duster
The second of three Dacias in our under-£10k listing, the Duster is the cheapest SUV in the UK, with the two-wheel-drive Access model available for just £9,495 on-the-road. It’s a huge amount of car for the money, though at this price the specification is comically basic, without even a radio. But it’s spacious, comfortable and extremely practical.
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4. Skoda Citigo
There are three versions of the Citigo available under £10,000, making it one of the best value city cars on the market. It’s based on the Volkswagen Up!, with a choice of three- or five-door body styles. The three-cylinder engine is lively, even in entry-level 60PS form, while the cabin is well made and has the feel of a bigger car.
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3. Kia Picanto
While there are better cars then the Picanto available for less than £10,000, there are none that can match Kia’s peerless seven-year warranty, which should automatically put the Korean city car on the shopping lists of budget-conscious buyers. Also, even the entry-level car gets such features as automatic headlights and Hill Start Assist.
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2. Volkswagen Up!
The third member of the VW Group city car family to feature in this list is also the original – the Volkswagen Up! The Up! is the least expensive way into new Volkswagen ownership, and it enjoys the same high quality, premium feel as its larger brethren. The Skoda Citigo may be better value for money and the SEAT Mii more vibrant, but the Up! enjoys the best resale values in its class and is the best ownership proposition to keep for three years. It also benefits from a much larger dealer network.
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1. Dacia Logan MCV
Top of the tree for under £10,000 is the Dacia Logan MCV, which gives you everything you might ever need from a car in an amazingly affordable package. Okay, so it’s not a looker, but the MCV has estate car practicality, a huge boot, a commodious passenger compartment and it’s surprisingly pleasant to drive. A full size estate car for the price of a city car and, what’s more, a £10k budget will extend to the well-equipped ‘Laureate’ specification.
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Here are the cheapest new cars for 2017 for more options if you’re looking for a car on a budget
