Top 10: Best Cheap Cars for Under £15,000 in 2023
03rd Jan 2023
By Edward Cook
Affordable Cars
The cost of purchasing new and used cars can often be daunting. After factoring in further costs such as insurance premiums, servicing, and fuel, car ownership can often leave many searching for cheaper alternatives to those they were dreaming of.
But the word 'cheap' doesn't have to mean unreliable, low-quality, and out-of-date. With innovation in the automotive market driving down the cost of handy gadgets and technology, we were surprised at how much you can get for less than £15,000.
With a wide range of affordable options out there, including hatchbacks, SUVs, and estates, we select 10 of the best new and used cars currently available for under £15,000.
The best new cars for less than £15,000
When you buy a new car, you're not just getting a shiny new vehicle. Brand-new cars come with a range of benefits, including a full manufacturer's warranty and the latest technology.
Many may assume that a new car will cost you a fortune, but this isn't the case, as there are a handful of new cars that are available within the budget of £15,000. Furthermore, there are a variety of flexible finance options to make paying for your car more manageable.
The best new cars available within the budget include:
Dacia Sandero
Dacia have built up a strong reputation for producing some of the most affordable cars currently available, and the humble Sandero supermini is a great example. As one of the cheapest new cars on the market, expectations may be low, but it comes equipped with a range of features that are sure to surprise many.
As well as an improved front-end design, the latest Sandero offers its owners a redesigned interior that's more refined and versatile than ever. Included in this refresh is technology such as Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, and emergency brake assist, as well as LED headlights for maximum visibility.
With fuel economy figures of over 50mpg on all models, the Sandero is an efficient vehicle too, resulting in less money spent at the pumps.
So, if you're looking for a brand-new car that's fantastic value for money, the Dacia Sandero is definitely worth considering.
Search New Dacia Sandero Offers Search Used Dacia Sandero OffersKia Picanto
City cars have long been a popular choice amongst first-time drivers and city livers alike, thanks to their nimble handling and straightforward approach. And whilst it's a competitive segment, the Kia Picanto has always stood out from the crowd as a top contender.
Available in a variety of specifications, the Picanto offers a cute design and plenty of standard equipment to make life behind the wheel more enjoyable. With 255 litres of boot space, it's deceptively practical too, making it a suitable match for tasks such as the weekly shop.
If you're still not convinced, then you can rest assured knowing Kia's extensive 7-year warranty has your back covered should anything go wrong due to a manufacturer fault. This warranty is transferrable, meaning you may still benefit from cover even if you buy a used Picanto.
Search New Kia Picanto Offers Search Used Kia Picanto OffersHyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is a small, yet surprisingly practical city car that's well suited to a variety of tasks. If you're after a brand-new i10, then you'll be looking at lower specced variants, but used examples that have all the kit are also available for less than £15,000.
Hyundai's confidence in the form of their 5-year standard manufacturer's warranty covers any costs due to manufacturer faults, allowing you to enjoy the i10's impressive combined fuel economy of 46mpg to 56mpg to its full capability without the worry of issues.
Residing within insurance group five, the i10 is also a great option for young drivers. Lane departure warning and driver attention alert systems allow parents to relax knowing their loved ones are safe whilst they enjoy the open road for the first time.
Search New Hyundai i10 Offers Search Used Hyundai i10 OffersCitroën C3
As one of the most customisable options on this list, the trendy Citroën C3 is available in a wide range of colour combinations that stand out from the crowd. But you're not just getting a car that looks great for your money, as the C3 comes equipped with all sorts of tech.
Parking sensors, lane departure warning, and cruise control are all standard features, while the powertrains are impressively efficient too, achieving around 50mpg WLTP combined with no problems.
However, what stands out most is the C3's design, both inside and out. Featuring the usual quirky Citroën looks, it definitely looks like no other supermini currently available. The interior is eye-catching as well as comfortable, offering plenty of head and legroom and a 300-litre boot for all your luggage.
Search New Citroën C3 Offers Search Used Citroën C3 OffersDacia Sandero Stepway
Much like its Sandero supermini sibling, the Dacia Sandero Stepway is a car that clearly means business on a budget. Essentially, it's a rugged version of the standard Sandero, and comes equipped with a range of features to make it more durable, and more compatible, for tougher terrains.
Entry-level models are available within the budget of £15,000, but this doesn't mean Dacia have cut corners. Safety features such as advanced emergency brake assist and ISOFIX anchor points come as standard, while a multimedia system with Bluetooth and a smartphone app gives you plenty of options when it comes to choosing your soundtrack.
The Sandero Stepway's new design is one that certainly doesn't look cheap either, despite its lowly price tag. Roof bars, chunkier tyres, and protective body mouldings round off a car that's highly practical and very cost-effective.
Search New Dacia Sandero Stepway Offers Search Used Dacia Sandero Stepway OffersThe best used cars for less than £15,000
A major benefit of buying a used car is that it's already depreciated a significant amount, meaning you'll generally get closer to what you paid when you go to resell it. This also results in there being more variety on the used car market, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
All the used cars sold at Evans Halshaw have undergone a rigorous inspection to ensure they're fit for the road, so you can rest assured knowing you're getting a good deal. Like new cars, there's also a range of finance options to choose from, to make purchasing your used car more affordable.
The best used cars available within the budget include:
Volkswagen Polo
Fancy something with the build quality and reliability we've come to expect from our friends over in Germany? Then look no further than the Volkswagen Polo. Being in the lowest insurance group there is, the Polo is sure to be a strong candidate when it comes to affordable cars.
But don't let this supermini fool you. Its spacious back seats leave enough room for your friends or children, while a respectable 351 litres of boot space place it at the higher end of its class in terms of practicality.
A wide range of trim levels are available within the budget, such as the R-Line with its sporty looks or the Beats with its funky interior.
In a highly competitive field featuring popular rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 208, and Renault Clio, the Volkswagen Polo fights its corner by offering a reliable yet fun option of affordable motoring.
Search Used Volkswagen Polo OffersMINI Hatchback
We all love the character and charm of the classic MINI Hatchback. Since BMW's takeover of MINI, the perfect formula of MINI charisma and BMW quality has been found, putting a large grin on our faces when we found examples within the £15,000 budget.
The MINI Hatchback offers a wide variety of colours, from sleeker all black configurations, to examples with pops of colour for a more fun look, there's sure to be a setup that's to everyone's taste.
We chose the MINI Hatchback, due to its wide variety of equipment and the exciting go-kart feel that MINI has become famous for. However, it's worth bearing in mind the service costs of a MINI, but our handy Aftersales Finance options allow you to spread the cost of your aftersales invoice at no extra cost.
Search Used MINI Hatchback OffersSEAT Leon Sport Tourer
If it's something a little bigger you're looking for, then the SEAT Leon Sport Tourer is a great candidate. SEAT have done an excellent job of maintaining the hatchback's sharp looks within the estate version, whilst optimising boot space (587 litres) and comfort.
A variety of trims and engine configurations are available. The sleeker looking FR Technology comes with added benefits such as a navigation system, but opting for a lower specced SE trim level provides an extra 100 miles per tank and a lower insurance group, saving you money across the year.
Whichever trim level you choose, you'll have peace of mind that the SEAT Leon Sport Tourer can be relied on. Being part of the Volkswagen Group, the SEAT Leon Sport Tourer possesses the usual VW reliability, along with a Euro NCAP rating of five stars.
Search Used SEAT Leon Sport Tourer OffersVauxhall Insignia
The name Vauxhall has become something of a staple when discussing affordable motoring, and the Insignia is no different. This family-friendly vehicle has plenty of room for luggage, with almost 500 litres of boot space, whilst maintaining a comfortable and spacious cabin.
Opting for smaller engine variants could see you reaching over 50mpg, and with insurance costs being affordable, this could save you some of your hard-earned pennies. The Insignia comes well-equipped, with features such as parking aids, cruise control, and Multimedia Navi being available.
With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, along with further safety features such as a lane assist system, the Vauxhall Insignia is an excellent option to get you and your family on the road.
Search Used Vauxhall Insignia OffersMG ZS
The rebirth of the popular MG brand has brought some real gems to the affordable motoring market, such as the MG3 supermini, resulting in them becoming one of the UK's fastest-growing car manufacturers. But it's the larger ZS that caught our attention.
Cheaper to buy from new than a Ford Fiesta, the ZS comes with features such as cruise control as standard, which is ideal for those long motorway trips. Whilst a brand-new version was slightly out of the budget, we found used examples with low-mileage readily available. The interior is also spacious, offering plenty of room for both driver and passengers, with the finish being impressive considering the price tag.
MG have also matched Kia's industry leading 7-year warranty, meaning you can benefit from multiple years of manufacturer's warranty even when buying used.
Search Used MG ZS OffersDiscover your next affordable car with Evans Halshaw
There we have it, our top 10 cheap cars for under £15,000. We've proven that finding, purchasing, and maintaining a well-equipped, high-quality vehicle is easier than it may seem. If you're working with a smaller budget, we've also selected some of our favourite used cars for under £10,000.
With a wide range of affordable vehicles ready and waiting, our new and used car collections are sure to have a vehicle that suits your budget and needs. Alternatively, our reviews section provides an independent opinion on a wide variety of the cars we sell.
