As the cost of living and motoring expenses continue to spiral in the wake of the latest Middle East conflict, drivers across the UK are searching for ways to cut costs.
But what if you find yourself needing to purchase a new car while on a tight budget? Which is the most affordable brand-new motor currently available in the UK?
With that in mind, a team of journalists at Auto Express have put together a rundown of the cheapest new cars on the market in the UK, identifying the most economical route to getting a new set of wheels, reports the Express.
Topping Auto Express' list was the Dacia Sandero. With prices starting from around £14,765, the model earned praise for being more enjoyable to drive than its predecessors, delivering outstanding value for money and boasting a noticeably improved interior.
Summarising the car, Ryan Birch said: "If you're after the cheapest brand-new car to buy, look no further than the Dacia Sandero.
"For a long time, the Dacia Sandero has been one of the cheapest cars you can buy, and while it no longer is a sub-£6,000 car it once was, the Romanian manufacturer still offers simplicity, comfort and surprising practicality for those who are after basic transport without any gimmicks."
Hot on the Sandero’s heels in second place was another model from the Dacia stable — the fully electric Dacia Spring, with prices beginning at around £15,990. The electric vehicle earned praise for its range and the standard features included in its cabin specification.
It was noted: "While 140 miles might not seem that impressive, if you often find yourself regularly zipping around city streets on shorter journeys, this should prove more than enough. There's a reasonable amount of essential kit included as standard too, such as air-conditioning and rear parking sensors."
Taking third spot, with prices starting from £15,995, was the Leapmotor T03 — a compact Chinese city car brought to the European market by Stellantis last year.
Despite its modest proportions and limited boot space, Auto Express gave it a warm reception, describing it as a "compelling little package" that was "already mixing it with the best in class".
Last year, Reach plc car reviewer Christopher Sharp got behind the wheel of the T03 at the SMMT Test Day.
Sharing his thoughts on the car, he said: "On board, it was easy to see why it was so cheap for today's money, but it did at least feel solid.
"Driving, it's not a Porsche Taycan, but the lack of power meant you needn't worry about approaching a bend too quickly. As you would expect, physics meant it was nimble and easy to manoeuvre.
"Would I buy one? No. I would spend the money on a good second-hand petrol car instead which was bigger, more sprightly, and could go further.
"The Leapmotor is more of a left-field third or fourth car rather than someone's primary mode of transport. If you're limited to the city, a motorbike or low-mileage second-hand city car from a bigger, well-known brand is probably a better bet."