Buying an inexpensive automobile and having a automobile that’s reasonably priced to personal are two very various things.
The latter ensures that you’ll obtain the most important portion of the acquisition value again when it comes time to promote, in addition to the bottom working prices during your possession. Which fashions, nonetheless, will probably be most helpful to your funds?
That is Cash can inform you which ten brand-new vehicles in showrooms now have the bottom complete price of possession. Additionally, don’t overlook to take a look at our article on the worst automobile fashions for deprecation.
Revealed is the unique knowledge supporting the highest 10 rating from HPI’s automotive knowledge consultants.
Each new automobile in showrooms had its complete price of possession (TCO) calculated utilizing a three-year possession interval and a mean annual mileage of 10,000 miles.
The retail value, upkeep prices, gas bills, restore expenses, and depreciation—presumably probably the most often disregarded possession drain on funds—are among the many many regulated parts that make up the working prices.
To make the comparability as honest as doable, some elements of possession which are extra depending on the driving force—corresponding to insurance coverage—have been overlooked.
Andrew Turner from HPI commented: “There are numerous prices related to proudly owning a automobile, which are sometimes missed, impacting motorists after they’ve already parted with their money.
“Precisely displaying all of the working prices related to automobile possession means no surprising surprises six months or three years down the road.
‘Understanding and contemplating prices is vital earlier than committing to purchasing a automobile.
‘By serving to drivers work out the prices concerned in a automobile they’re enthusiastic about and with so many decisions obtainable, we’re assured we may help motorists resolve on an awesome worth automobile that’s low-cost to run.”
The highest 10 most cost-effective new vehicles to personal for 3 years
10. Dacia Duster – TCO £13,435.74
Variant: 1.0 TCe 100 Bi-Gas Expression 5dr
Worth new: £18,245
MPG: 44.1mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £10,025 (-45%)
TCO monthly*: £373.22


Retailers nonetheless retain a number of the outgoing Dacia Duster’s stock, however a brand new mannequin is on the way in which. Moreover, HPI says it may be worthwhile to purchase one among them.
It’s because, primarily based on the 1.0 TCe 100 Bi-Gas model, the second-generation Duster is the one family-sized automobile to rank within the prime 10 most fairly priced motors to purchase.
Drivers will spend barely over £13,400 over the course of three years, together with the acquisition value, gas prices, alternative of consumable elements, automobile excise obligation, servicing, MOTs, and different bills associated to automobile possession. That is aided by Dacia’s good model resale values general, for the reason that Duster solely loses 45% of its retail value after 36 months.
9. Suzuki Ignis – TCO £13,299.75
Variant: 1.2 Dualjet 12V Hybrid SZ5 5dr
Worth new: £18,919
MPG: 56.9mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £10,550 (-44%)
TCO monthly*: £369.44


The Suzuki Ignis, a reliable and helpful little automobile by all accounts, is the primary of many small, fairly priced autos to make the league desk.
Due partly to the 1.2-liter hybrid’s outstanding gas effectivity and the Ignis’ fairly priced basic upkeep and maintenance prices, the full price of possession over a three-year interval is just below £13,300.
As soon as extra, excessive residual values point out that homeowners will obtain greater than half of the cash they paid the seller after they purchased the automobile about 36 months in the past.
8. Fiat Panda – TCO £12,738.66
Variant: 1.0 Gentle Hybrid High [Touch] [5 Seat] 5dr
Worth new: £16,235
MPG: 57.6mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £8,250 (-49%)
TCO monthly*: £353.85


Just like the Dacia Duster, the Italian producer plans to discontinue present Panda mannequin in favour of a brand new one.
The 1.0-liter mild-hybrid mannequin’s low complete price of possession, nonetheless, makes it a compelling case to buy one of many remaining of those reasonably priced metropolis vehicles.
This can be a strong selection when it comes to low working bills due to its spectacular claimed gas economic system of 57.6 mpg, low tax, and fairly priced elements and servicing. That’s though its worth isn’t as excessive as that of different objects on this listing.
7. Suzuki Swift – TCO £12,237.63
Variant: 1.2 Gentle Hybrid Movement 5dr CVT
Worth new: £19,924
MPG: 60.1mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £12,075 (-39%)
TCO monthly*: £339.93


One other supermini that will probably be particularly economical for you is Suzuki’s present Swift.
As soon as extra, the Japanese model is understood for its dependability and low upkeep prices, however this model of Swift’s 1.2-liter gentle hybrid petrol engine can be extremely economical, attaining an estimated 60.1mpg.
The Swift’s outstanding residuals, which solely misplaced 39% of its preliminary price after three years, would be the greatest benefit for homeowners, as they are going to obtain £12,000 again from their preliminary £20,000 funding.
6. Citroen C3 – TCO £12,130.52
Variant: 1.2 PureTech You 5dr
Worth new: £14,110
MPG: 53.4mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £7,375 (-48%)
TCO monthly*: £336.96


The following-generation C3 has already been unveiled by Citroen; it’ll solely be obtainable as an electrical mannequin in 2025, with petrol-powered fashions to comply with. The C3 on our listing, nonetheless, is the mannequin that showrooms presently carry and are in all probability attempting to barter a value on to be able to make place for the supply of the brand new automobile.
The general price of possession, together with VED and the sum of the storage and gas bills, is £12,130 over three years, in line with HPI’s calculation.
Though worth retention is much from class main—the C3 misplaced over half of its preliminary price after 36 months, in line with the evaluation—the Citroen’s modest beginning value helps it earn a spot on this hierarchy.
5. MG3 – TCO £12,049.18
Variant: 1.5 Hybrid SE 5dr Auto
Worth new: £18,460
MPG: 64.2mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £10,725 (-42%)
TCO monthly*: £334.70


One of many newest fashions on this listing is the brand new MG3, which the Chinese language model unveiled earlier this yr.
The corporate’s smallest mannequin now has a hybrid powertrain for the primary time, making it probably the most reasonably priced full hybrid presently obtainable in Britain. This makes the three an reasonably priced selection on two fronts.
To start with, it’s, theoretically a minimum of, probably the most cost-effective motor on our listing. To name the MG frugal could be an understatement given its 64.2 mpg return. With this variant anticipated to lose solely 42% of its worth after three years of possession, the hybrid powertrain has additionally elevated resale values.
4. Toyota Aygo X – TCO £11,983.52
Variant: 1.0 VVT-i Pure 5dr
Worth new: £16,105
MPG: 58.9mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £9,000 (-44%)
TCO monthly*: £332.88


One of many smallest autos on our listing is the Aygo X, which can be the primary to attain three-year complete possession bills beneath the £12,000 cap.
You gained’t need to pay a fortune for petrol as a result of the official gas economic system ranking is 58.9 mpg. Nonetheless, the Aygo X can be an economical possibility as a result of to its excessive dependability, cheap elements, and fairly priced upkeep.
In response to HPI, if patrons intend to money in and promote up after three years, they need to anticipate that it’ll have roughly 56% of its preliminary value.
3. Kia Picanto – TCO £11,981.28
- Kia Picanto – TCO £11,981.28
Variant: 1.0 GT-line 5dr Auto [4 seats]
Worth new: £16,270
MPG: 52.3mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £9,375 (-42%)
TCO monthly*: £332.81


For a few years, Kia’s Picanto has been one of the crucial fairly priced metropolis autos obtainable, and it nonetheless is.
Nonetheless, the calculation reveals that it’s among the many prime three most cost-effective new vehicles to buy, function, after which promote due to its efficient 1.0-liter engine that achieves an official 52.3 mpg, minimal upkeep prices, fast entry to repairs, and robust residuals.
HPI’s complete price of possession is at £11,981, which works out at round £333 a month.
2. Hyundai i10 – TCO £11,765.78
Variant: 1.0 Advance 5dr Auto
Worth new: £16,140
MPG: 52.3mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £9,675 (-40%)
TCO monthly*: £326.83


Provided that the Kia Picanto and the Hyundai i10 are virtually sister autos, it isn’t stunning that the Hyundai metropolis automobile is on this listing, since its three-year complete price of possession is moderately similar to that of its sibling.
Whereas the brand new Hyundai pricing is barely cheaper, their MPG numbers are similar to these of the cheapest-to-run fashions decided by HPI.
The i10 outperforms the Kia on this space because it depreciates a bit extra slowly, protecting about 60% of its preliminary value when an proprietor needs to promote after three years of use.
1. Dacia Sandero – TCO £11,042.84
Variant: 1.0 Tce Bi-Gas Important 5dr
Worth new: £13,755
MPG: 51.4mpg
Resale worth 3yrs: £7,025 (-49%)
TCO monthly*: £306.75


The truth that the most cost effective new automobile in Britain can be probably the most economical to function will not be an enormous shock.
Because it first joined the UK market, the Dacia Sandero has been an incredible hit. In its most up-to-date iteration, it feels extra refined, mature, and an actual competitor to its extra established rivals.
With an honest depreciation of about half its preliminary worth, the mannequin that was named probably the most reasonably priced new automobile to purchase for 3 years returns little over 51 mpg. Nonetheless, a budget upkeep prices, low preliminary price, and ease of restore make up the spectacular £11,043 complete price of possession over 36 months.
*TCO or Complete Price of Possession takes under consideration depreciation (loss in worth), service and upkeep prices, gas prices, Car Excise Obligation, tyre and brake pad alternative prices