New cars can be expensive, not least when you consider the vast upfront cost you might think you have to make.
However, with the rise in popularity of car finance, it has meant that getting behind the wheel of a new car can be more affordable than you might expect, while you also need to consider the lower running costs that will likely come with a factory-fresh vehicle. You’ll also have less need to worry about reliability, while any issues should be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty anyway.
Does that sound appealing? Here are five brand-new cars you can get behind the wheel of for £150 per month or less…
Fiat 500
Fiat’s 500 city car has been an icon in low-cost motoring and that continues to this day. Though the Italian marque might have just introduced a new electric version, the regular 500 remains the more affordable option.
With its sleek chic design, easy driving experience and decent standard equipment levels – even entry-level Pop models get air conditioning and DAB radio – it’s a very appealing model, and more so when it’s available from just £143 per month with a £3,000 customer deposit. Fiat is also currently offering a generous £1,350 deposit contribution, which helps to make it more affordable than ever.
Model: Fiat 500 Pop 1.0 Hybrid 70HP
Monthly payments: 35 x £143,03
Customer deposit: £3,000
Deposit contribution: £1,350
Total at end of contract: £8,006.05
Optional final payment: £4,631
Total paid to own the car: £12,647.05 (includes £10 option to purchase fee)
Cash price: £13,425
APR: 2.8 per cent
Annual mileage allowance: 10,000
Enquire on a new Fiat 500Toyota Aygo
While Toyota’s range might predominantly be made up of hybrid models, electrification remains quite expensive, which is why the brand continues to offer more conventional petrol-powered cars like the Aygo city car. With striking styling, an efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine and a surprisingly fun driving experience, it’s ideal for those wanting a new car on a budget.
It’s also tremendous value for money – not least at the moment when Toyota is offering zero per cent APR on top of an additional £750 deposit contribution. It means you can get behind the wheel for £129 per month with a £3,447 customer deposit. Don’t think this will get you a bare-bones model, though, as this buys a well-specced ‘X-Trend’ trim level that includes 15-inch gloss black alloy wheels and automatic climate control.
Model: Toyota Aygo X-Trend 1.0
Monthly payments: 47 x £129
Customer deposit: £3,447
Deposit contribution: £750
Total at end of contract: £9,510
Optional final payment: £4,500
Total paid to own the car: £14,010
Cash price: £14,760
APR: 0 per cent
Annual mileage allowance: 8,000
Enquire on a new Toyota AygoSkoda Fabia
Skoda’s new Fabia might have only just been revealed, but in the meantime before it arrives in showrooms, the outgoing model is still an appealing option – offering greater refinement than the other cars on this list, as well as one of the roomiest supermini interiors. It’s still able to hold its own on the technology and style fronts, too.
It also remains one of the most affordable superminis available, with the Fabia available for under £150 a month with a £3,771.50 customer despot. You’re also helped by a generous £1,200 deposit contribution from Skoda, as well as zero per cent APR. This deal also gets you a version with a swift 94bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is very capable both around town and at higher speeds.
Model: Skoda Fabia S 1.0 TSI 95PS 5G Manual
Monthly payments: 35 x £149
Customer deposit: £3,771.50
Deposit contribution: £1,200
Total at end of contract: £8,986.50
Optional final payment: £4,693.50
Total paid to own the car: £13,680
Cash price: £14,880
APR: 0 per cent
Annual mileage allowance: 10,000
Enquire on a new Skoda FabiaDacia Sandero
It shouldn’t come as any major surprise to learn that the UK’s cheapest new car is also one of the most affordable to finance, too. There’s more to the Dacia Sandero than just its price, though, with this latest generation - which has only just arrived at dealers - offering an impressively roomy interior, better driving experience than before and a far more pleasant interior as well.
Yet it remains astounding value for money, with the entry-level model costing just £7,995 to buy with cash, and also available from £120 per month with a £120 deposit. However, if your budget will stretch, we’d recommend upgrading to the top-spec Comfort model, which is still available for under £150 a month with a relatively low deposit. This top-spec model also gets features like keyless entry, an eight-inch touchscreen and rear parking sensors.
Model: Dacia Sandero
Monthly payments: 48 x £142
Customer deposit: £2,276
Deposit contribution: N/A
Total at end of contract: £9,092
Optional final payment: £4,954
Total paid to own the car: £14,046
Cash price: £11,995
APR: 6.9 per cent
Annual mileage allowance: 9,500
Enquire on a new Dacia SanderoMG ZS
A relatively small budget doesn’t just restrict you to a small hatchback, though, as you might be surprised to learn that you can actually buy a small SUV for less than £150 a month – an MG ZS, in fact.
With a practical interior and generous standard equipment levels, the ZS is an appealing family car choice, while also gets a long seven-year warranty included and a sharp design that comes as part of a recent facelift. With a similar £3,000 deposit contribution to city cars on this list, the ZS slots in under £150 a month, helped by zero per cent APR.
Model: MG ZS 1.5 VTI-tech Excite 5dr
Monthly payments: 47 x £149.83
Customer deposit: £3,000
Deposit contribution: N/A
Total at end of contract: £10,042.01
Optional final payment: £5,803
Total paid to own the car: £15,845.01
Cash price: £15,995
APR: 0 per cent
Annual mileage allowance: 8,000
*All deals are correct at time of writing. Please refer to manufacturer websites for full details*
Enquire on a new MG ZS