With new research revealing the 10 most affordable cars to own from new, we look at the least depreciating vehicles on the market.
As any driver knows, the cost of ownership is a massively important factor when picking a motor.
While a low initial price tag can save you money in the short term, reasonable ownership costs can also cut back on maintenance, fuel and repairs.
This is Money has worked with valuation specialists HPI to determine the most affordable motors during the first three years of ownership.
The data looks at inflation, fuel costs, servicing and resale value.
The 10 most and least reliable cars revealed
1. Dacia Sandero – total ownership cost: £11,042.84
Variant: 1.0 Tce Bi-Fuel Essential (five-door)
Price new: £13,755
MPG: 51.4
Resale value at three years £7,025 (-49%)
Total ownership cost per month: £306.75
Placing the Sandero in the top spot, the experts were full of praise, claiming its “latest guise feels more grown up, classier and a genuine rival to more established counterparts”.
As the most affordable new car to buy, it is also the cheapest to run.
Overall, its reasonable repair costs also mean a total ownership bill of £11,043 over three years.
2. Hyundai i10 – total ownership cost: £11,765.78
Variant: 1.0 Advance (five-door) Auto
Price new: £16,140
MPG: 52.3
Resale value at three years: £9,675 (-40%)
Total ownership cost per month: £326.83
Coming in second, the i10 has a price when new of £16,140 and three-year resale value of £9,675.
This represents a depreciation of 40%.
Total ownership costs are at a little over £325 per month.
3. Kia Picanto – total ownership cost: £11,981.28
Variant: 1.0 GT-line 5dr Auto (four seats)
Price new: £16,270
MPG: 52.3
Resale value at three years: £9,375 (-42%)
Total ownership cost per month: £332.81
With an ongoing reputation as one of the most affordable city cars, the Picanto has a total ownership cost of £11,981 – or approximately £333 per month.
As the researchers point out, one of the biggest draws is the efficient 1.0-litre engine, with an official 52.3 mile-per-gallon.
4. Toyota Aygo X – total ownership cost: £11,983.52
Variant: 1.0 VVT-i Pure 5 (five-door)
Price new: £16,105
MPG: 58.9
Resale value at three years: £9,000 (-44%)
Total ownership cost per month: £332.88
As one of the smallest cars included in the data, the Aygo X impressed the researchers by having three-year ownership costs of less than £12,000.
With a fuel economy figure of 58.9mpg, the model also comes with affordable servicing and low costs for parts.
According to HPI, drivers can expect to retain 56% of value over the crucial three-year period.
5. MG3 – total ownership cost: £12,049.18
Variant: 1.5 Hybrid SE (five-door) Auto
Price new: £18,460
MPG: 64.2
Resale value at three years: £10,725 (-42%)
Total ownership cost per month: £334.70
As the cheapest hybrid on sale in Britain, this Chinese model is also the company’s smallest vehicle.
It now includes a hybrid powertrain and is the “most economical motor in our list – on paper anyway”, according to the researchers.
The version is expected to lose 42% of its value during a three-year ownership period.
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6. Citroen C3 – total ownership cost: £12,130.52
Variant: 1.2 PureTech You (five-door)
Price new: £14,110
MPG: 53.4
Resale value at three years: £7,375 (-48%)
Total ownership cost per month: £336.96
Factoring in low starting price and fuel prices, the C3 has a three-year ownership cost of £12,130.
Arriving in 2025, the next-generation model has already garnered a lot of attention, and it won’t be long until petrol versions follow.
That said, the model’s retention value isn’t among the best in the research, losing almost 50% in 36 months.
7. Suzuki Swift – total ownership cost: £12,237.63
Variant: 1.2 Mild Hybrid Motion (five-door) CVT
Price new: £19,924
MPG: 60.1
Resale value at three years: £12,075 (-39%)
Total ownership cost per month: £339.93
As a supermini, the Swift has always been known for its reliability and low maintenance costs, but the current model is a particular standout. returning a reported 60.1 mile per gallon.
According to the researchers, the model sheds just 39% of its value after three years.
In effect, owners will recoup £12,000 back from their initial spend.
8. Fiat Panda – total ownership cost: £12,738.66
Variant: 1.0 Mild Hybrid Top [Touch] (five-seat/five-door)
Price new: £16,235
MPG: 57.6
Resale value at three years: £8,250 (-49%)
Total ownership cost per month: £353.85
With a replacement in the offing, this version of the Panda is about to be cut.
That said, HPI and This is Money praise its low repair costs, reasonable tax and fuel economy.
But, with a depreciation of 49%, it doesn’t hold its value as well as some other models on the list.
9. Suzuki Ignis – total ownership cost: £13,299.75
Variant: 1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ5 (five-door)
Price new: £18,919
MPG: 56.9
Resale value at three years: £10,550 (-44%)
Total ownership cost per month: £369.44
Praised as part of a “flurry of small, affordable cars”, the researchers pointed out that the three-year ownership cost is a little under £13,300.
The model’s 1.2-litre hybrid particularly impressed the judges with its fuel economy.
The experts pointed to the car’s low maintenance and upkeep costs, with owners getting back more than half of the money spent 36 months earlier.
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10. Dacia Duster – total ownership cost: £13,435.74
Variant: 1.0 TCe 100 Bi-Fuel Expression (five-door)
Price new: £18,245
MPG: 44.1
Resale value at three years: £10,025 (-45%)
Total ownership cost per month: £373.22
Although a new Dacia Duster is on the horizon, fresh stock is still available of this outgoing model.
According to HPI, the second-generation duster is the sole family-size model to occupy a place on the list in the 10 most affordable motors.
During a three-year period, drivers will spend a little more than £13,400, which is helped by Dacia’s strong resale values.