Dacia Sandero remains the cheapest car to buy and run in Britain five years on from introduction

It’s not just in the dealership where Dacia drivers save the pennies. The brand’s lineup has taken the entire podium of automotive data specialist Cap HPI’s ‘Pence Per Mile’ list.

Taking into account initial purchase price and all day-to-day running costs, including insurance, tax, servicing, fuel and depreciation, the Sandero costs just 20.63 pence per mile over a typical three-year ownership period.

That’s despite Dacia announcing the first price increase to its Sandero supermini since it launched in 2013. The ‘shockingly affordable’ supermini now starts from £6,995 – an increase of £1,000, which ensures it still retains its title as the UK’s cheapest new car.

That cost applies to the entry-level Access trim, fitted with the 1.0-litre SCe petrol engine. Impressively, it’s equalled by Dacia’s own Duster crossover, in 1.6 SCe Access form. It’s available to buy from just £9,495.

Third place was rounded off by Dacia’s other product, the Logan MCV, also in its base trim. It costs 24.03 pence per mile to run.

These figures give Dacia the most affordable range of any manufacturer. The brand estimates that it’s saved motorists £1.5 billion over the five years it’s been selling cars in the UK, if you compare the number of Dacia vehicles sold and their average price versus the average price of any new car in the UK. The Romanian firm has sold more than 120,000 vehicles in the UK to date.

Dacia cars are based on previous-generation Renault mechanicals, though the four engines available across its range are all modern units to keep up with emissions regulations. The cars have met with praise, especially the Sandero, which has been awarded the Best Small Car under £12,000 award by consumer publication WhatCar? for six consecutive years.