Latest news with #DaciaSandero
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK's full list of most reliable cars ranked and rated but there's one catch
Drivers looking for a reliable used car that may be on the older side have been given a list of reputable brands and models among the best rated Smaller automobiles, particularly city cars and superminis, are among the most popular vehicles on the road, offering versatility, low running costs and practicality for a wide range of motorists. These more compact cars are designed to make life easier without breaking the bank, but with so many options to choose from on the used market, finding out which ones you can truly rely on may seem like a daunting task. But fear not, a UK second-hand vehicle warranty supplier has come up with a handy guide to help you find your ideal match. Based on data collected between 2022 and 2025 in relation to the volume of claims made by extended warranty customers, WarrantyWise has revealed which 10 small motors are most reliable, giving each model a rating out of 100. However, drivers who are opting for a cheaper used model that's on the older side have been warned that as cars get older, their parts are harder to get hold of. So in the event of a breakdown, motorists could find themselves shelling out more than they bargained for just to keep their car on the road. 10. Mini Hatch — reliability score: 75.9 Typical used price: Around £7,000 (10 years old with roughly 50,000 miles on the clock, less for diesel) Average repair claim: £1,118 Most expensive repair claim: £9,224 The desirable Mini Cooper 's old school appearance and iconic brand appeal make it one of the most popular superminis — both brand new and used. However, repairs can be costly. 10. Hyundai i20 — reliability score: 75.9 Typical used price: Around £6,000 (10 years old) Average repair claim: £871 Most expensive repair claim: £4,444 Often overlooked, the Hyundai i20 is a worthy rival to more popular similar-sized models including the Vauxhall Vector and Ford Corsa. It's generally better equipped and less expensive to fix than the Mini. 9. Dacia Sandero —reliability score: 77.8 Typical used price: Less than £4,000 (2015 model, roughly 50,000 miles) Average repair claim: £615 Most expensive repair claim: £3,217 The Dacia Sandero is the epitome of cheap motoring, with used models available for less than you might think. It's also affordable to run and repair. 8. Hyundai i10 — reliability Score: 78.4 Typical used price: Around £5,000 (10 years old, roughly 50,000 miles) Average repair claim: £855 Most expensive repair claim: £3,774 The Hyundai i10 is even smaller than the i20, but thankfully it's just as reliable. It's also cheap to insure and won't break the bank to purchase. 6. Renault Clio — reliability score: 79 Typical used price: Around £5,000 (under 50,000 miles) Average repair claim: £721 Most expensive repair claim: £4,928 A firm Uk favourite, having sold well over a million models since hitting showroom floors in 1990, the Renault Clio is both affordable and dependable. WarrantyWise also found it to be one of the top superminis in relation to receiving a low volume of claims. 6. Ford Ka — reliability Score: 79 Typical used price: Well under £4,000 (below-average mileage) Average repair claim: £628 Most expensive repair claim: £2,430 Though not a big seller, the Ford KA is a cheap and reliable small runaround. On top of getting one of the best reliability scores from WarrantyWise, the company also found it to be relatively affordable to fix when big things go wrong. 5. Peugeot 108 — reliability score: 80.3 Typical used price: Around £4,500 (2015 model) Average repair claim: £550 Most expensive repair claim: £3,546 The shared platform city model of the Peugeot 108 — built alongside the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo — is both dependable and reasonable to run. 4. Citroën C1 — reliability Score: 82.8 Typical used price: £3,500–£4,000 (50,000 miles) Average repair claim: £673 Most expensive repair claim: £2,715 Mechanically, the Citroën C1 is very similar to the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo. They can be picked up relatively cheaply and are also reasonable to repair. 3. Kia Picanto — reliability Score: 86.8 Typical used price: £4,500–£5,000 (good condition) Average repair claim: £438 Most expensive repair claim: £2,324 Produced on a shared platform with the Hyundai i10 (which placed 8th in this countdown), the Kia Picanto is highly reliable and affordable to repair. 1. Suzuki Swift — reliability Score: 88.6 Typical used price: Around £5,000 (standard, non-Sport) Average repair claim: £784 Most expensive repair claim: £3,993 The Suzuki Swift is ranked by WarrantyWise as the joint-best small car for dependability. Its roomier than you might think, fun to drive and doesn't typically suffer faults regularly. 1. Toyota Aygo — reliability Score: 88.6 Typical used price: Around £5,500 (10 years old, roughly 50,000 miles) Average repair claim: £420 Most expensive repair claim: £1,297 The Toyota Aygo is the other most reliable car on the list, with both the lowest 'average repair claim' and cheapest 'most expensive repair' according to WarrantyWise. Managing director at WarrantyWise, Antony Diggins, said the data backs up the theory that superminis are 'one of the safest bets you can make in the used car market'. He said: 'At a time when people are being more careful with their money, it's reassuring to know that you don't have to spend big to get a dependable car. With a number of these superminis not requiring major repairs until they're nearly a decade old, and many models showing excellent cost-per-mile performance, they are an especially wise buy in today's market.' But there is one major catch — as can be seen in the 'most expensive repair claim' sections for the top 10, particularly as the parts become more dated, they can be very expensive to fix.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
First Drive: Iconic Fiat Panda is back – and it's bigger, bolder and better
Now part of the Stellantis group, the Italian car giant is confident the rebirth of this car will get it back in the game across Europe, and we think they have cracked it. As the name suggests, this third generation model is vastly bigger than its two predecessors, and comes as a B-segment SUV rather than a quirky city run-around. Size-wise, the new offering is just a millimetre under four metres, is 1.75 metres wide, 1.57 metres high and has a wheelbase of 2.54 metres – well matched to square up to rivals like the Dacia Sandero, Toyota Yaris Cross and Skoda Kamiq. Thankfully, the tale of the tape is where the comparisons end as the Panda is a masterclass in retro design and pays homage to the original. Confession time – I have very fond memories of the 1980s original as my mum had a horrid beige-coloured one, and even the crippling deckchair-styled seats, spartan dash and woeful gearbox couldn't taint those halcyon days. The new model simply oozes style and sophistication, and you can't help but be smitten by the ultra-cool grille incorporating pixel LED lights that are a nod to Fiat's Lingotto plant in Turin, which has a race track on the roof. The 3D lettering across the bottom of the doors and tailgate looks cool too, as do the subtle laser-etched panels in the C-pillar windows that spell Fiat one way and highlight the old four-stripe logo the other way. Inside, it's a similar affair with a digital cockpit that is encased in an illuminated oval backdrop that mimics the 1.5km La Pista 500 circuit and even features a miniature MK1 Panda in the corner. Behind it sits a 10-inch instrument cluster plus a 10.25-inch infotainment screen incorporating wireless smartphone mirroring. Irish customers can choose from three trims – Pop, Icon and La Prima – and all are generously equipped The cabin itself is unexpectedly roomy and the Blu Tasmania colour scheme is energised by bright yellow accents peppered around the dash, infotainment area and seat stitching. The boot is decent too, with 412 litres of luggage, but the rear seats can get quite snug with a couple of six-footers up front. Irish customers can choose from three trims – Pop, Icon and La Prima – and all are generously equipped. The entry-level model comes with manual AC, a 10-inch digital cluster, automatic eDCT transmission and a smartphone station featuring NFC-based Autolaunch. This allows users to interact with their digital devices thanks to a dedicated home button that simplifies access to their favourite screen or app. Icon trim adds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, full LED headlamps and rear lamps and three customisable upgrade packs – Tech, Style and Winter. The Tech pack includes automatic climate control, navigation, front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and wireless charging. Style gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, roof bars, privacy glasses and skid plates, while the Winter pack (available only with the Tech pack) includes heated seats, steering wheel and windscreen. Top of the range La Prima combines all packages, along with 17-inch rims, premium interior finishes and exclusive use of Bambox Bamboo Fiber Tex for the dashboard. All models come equipped with Fiat's ADAS safety suite, including cruise control, speed limiter, active safety brake, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning and open-door alerts. If like me you have a soft spot for the old model, you're certain to fall head over heels as soon as you lay eyes on it We tested the hybrid around the outskirts of Turin last week and left more than impressed. First, it drives nothing like the first generation – proving peppy, agile and remarkably composed. The T-Gen-3 hybrid set-up twinned with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 110bhp is a perfect fit for the Panda, and the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission never missed a beat. Around town it was nippy and responsive and wafted along in EV mode (under 30km) in stop/start traffic. On more challenging roads and surfaces the suspension, although a tad firm, dealt with potholed B roads with gusto. It won't set your hair on fire, though – 0-100kph takes around 11 seconds – but once you get the Panda into treble figures it will cruise effortlessly, devouring mile after mile with ease. That said, the new Panda is all about fast fashion and standing out from the crowd allure, which it has in spades. If like me you have a soft spot for the old model, you're certain to fall head over heels as soon as you lay eyes on it. A rugged 4x4 may also be in the pipeline. The new Panda will arrive here next month, with prices announced closer to launch.
Auto Express
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car hunter: Help! I need a first car for under £10,000
Dear Auto Express, I need to find a low-mileage, small hatchback with less than 100bhp as a first car for my son. What does £10k buy? - Henry Parker, E-mail Few drives are as thrilling as your first. Passing your test and hitting the open road delivers a sense of freedom and excitement that's difficult to match. Yet those first few steps are an expensive business. Not only is there the cost of the car to consider, but car insurance premiums and running costs also have to be taken into account. Advertisement - Article continues below However, look carefully and you'll find a host of affordable small cars. For example, the Dacia Sandero was a bargain new and is even better value used. The Kia Rio offers a dash of style, is easy to drive and more recent examples will retain some of the brand's famed seven-year warranty for ultimate peace of mind. And if driving fun is at the top of your wish list, the Ford Ka+ deserves serious consideration. Here we take a closer look at three of the best used cars for a newly qualified driver with up to £10,000 to spend on their first set of wheels. For: Great value, eager performance, decent equipment Against: Not that stylish, low-rent cabin, short of rear room Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below You'd struggle to call the Dacia Sandero glamorous, but a facelift in 2017 brought new LED lights and subtly smoother lines to the second-generation model. On the move, it feels predictable rather than exciting to drive, but its soft suspension serves up a cushioned ride. The Dacia's thrummy turbocharged 0.9-litre petrol engine is the best here, with peppy performance and excellent economy – although in insurance group 10, it's four higher than the Ford and Kia. For less than £7,000 you can buy an 18-plate 0.9 TCe Laureate with under 30,000 miles. Alternatively, if you don't mind a lower-spec model, these can be picked up for even less. Advertisement - Article continues below The Sandero's budget roots are most obvious inside, where you'll find lots of hard and scratchy plastics and a utilitarian design. On the other hand, it's solidly constructed and logically laid out, while the high-set driving position is enhanced by soft, yet surprisingly supportive seats. Comfort trim adds luxuries such as air-con and a reversing camera, plus an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system that offers sat-nav as well as easy smartphone connectivity and music streaming. Taller back-seat passengers will be a little cramped, but the well shaped 320-litre boot rivals models from the class above for carrying capacity. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used Dacia Sandero deals For: Looks great, easy to drive, excellent warranty Against: Not fun to drive, limited infotainment, firm ride The Mk4 Kia Rio helped the Korean firm take a big step upmarket, and its neat lines give it the most grown-up look here. Light controls make it the easiest to drive, even if there's little fun to be had. Still, the Kia is the most refined and relaxing car here despite having the firmest ride. Performance from its 1.25-litre engine is a little breathless, but it delivers an easy 45mpg and is mated to a slick five-speed manual. We found a 17-plate car in 3 trim with 26,000 miles on the clock which could be yours for around £9,500. Advertisement - Article continues below As with the exterior, the Kia Rio's interior looks and feels the most upmarket in this company, thanks to its slick, modern design and extremely solid build quality. The infotainment system is fairly basic, but at least there's Bluetooth and USB connection for easy smartphone pairing. Air-conditioning is also included, as are automatic lights and a multifunction steering wheel. A wide range of seat and wheel adjustment makes it easy to get comfortable, while the rear bench is the roomiest here. At 325 litres, the boot is even larger than the Dacia's, while a 60:40 split-fold back seat boosts versatility even further. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used Kia Rio deals For: Fun driving experience, loads of kit, low running costs Against: Not as quick as rivals, boot is the smallest here It's easy to spot the Ford's budget-car roots in its slightly ungainly styling. However, get the Ford Ka+ in the right trim and you'll get racy additions like alloy wheels and front foglamps. Based on the same chassis as the brilliant previous-generation Fiesta, the Ka+ has quick steering and agile handling, plus a surprisingly plush ride. And while the 1.25-litre petrol engine is down on power, it's very frugal and mated to a crisp five-speed manual. We found a 17-plate 1.2 Studio with 45,000 miles for £6,300. Climb aboard and it's immediately clear that despite the Ka+ budget roots, Ford has given this small run-around all the kit you're likely to use day-to-day including Bluetooth phone connectivity, cruise control, electric folding mirrors and windows. A dated dashboard design means the cabin doesn't look as upmarket as the Kia's, but it's robustly built and clearly laid out. The low- slung driving position is excellent, while the tall Ka+ almost matches the Rio for rear-seat space. Only the cramped 270-litre boot, with its high load lip, undermines the baby Ford's practicality. Used Ford KA deals Tell us which new car you're interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let's go… Find a car with the experts Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster' Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster' VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dacia Sandero
While much of the rest of the car industry has been floundering, Romanian budget brand Dacia has been soaring during the last five years - and its biggest-selling model is this - the Dacia Sandero supermini. Now Europe's second best-selling new car, the Sandero arrived in second-generation form at the end of 2020, bringing fresh styling, more practicality, slightly higher equipment levels and a new model platform with it; but keeping much the same value positioning that it had before. Even in our inflation-ravaged Britain of 2023, you can buy it outright in entry-level trim for less than £13,000. Dacia tweaked the car's grille- and interior design slightly towards the end of 2022, changing its corporate badge logo, but leaving almost everything else about the car unchanged. Unlike its predecessor, this car has convenience features; niceties, if you like. A reach-and-rake adjustable steering wheel; LED headlights; even a touchscreen infotainment system (on certain trim levels). Okay, it's easy to be flippant about these sorts of things, but they serve to show just how much Dacia has overhauled the Sandero. It may be the UK's cheapest car and it's still called the Sandero, but it's a total contrast between this version and the 2013-2020 previous Dacia Sandero. This car sits on Renault's CMF platform. That means it shares its underpinnings with the Renault Clio, and beenfits from greater body rigidity with less weight. We'll get to what all that means in a tick, but here's a teaser: it's good news. Those new headlights, along with more LEDs at the rear, help to set this car apart from its predecessor. Although the overall dimensions remain the same, the track is a useful 41mm wider and the wheelbase is 15mm longer. Coupled with the new, sharper styling and little touches like the chrome on the grille, this makes the new Sandero less frumpy than before, bringing its style intent closer to mainstream rivals like the Skoda Fabia. The increased wheelbase is handy because it means rear-seat passengers get more leg room, but the big news in the cabin is the frankly staggering uptick in quality. It actually looks like someone has taken some care now, whereas before it was cheap and drab. Granted, there are no soft-touch plastics, but the padded cloth running around the cabin lifts the ambience (who ever thought we would be talking about that in a Sandero?) and even the air vents look as if they've had a once-over from a stylist. Previously, it seemed like it was made to look and feel cheap to hammer home the value aspect. This time, it's a different attitude and sense of quality, and you can tell. The dominant 8.0in touchscreen looks smart, and although it's entirely devoid of buttons, there's a handy set of stereo controls behind the steering wheel. This infotainment system is standard on the range-topping Comfort, while lower trims have to make do with Media Control, which is basically just your smartphone wedged in the dashboard. But we shouldn't be flippant: reasoning that everyone has a smartphone these days, Dacia feels that even if you can't stretch to the top-spec trim, you will still want to run a navigation tool safely, so it offers a Media Control app as a free download for your phone as well as somewhere to keep said phone within easy reach. We haven't tried it out yet, but the theory seems sensible. There are two engines to choose from. The entry-level SCe 65 was deleted from the UK range in 2022; but the turbocharged TCe 90 and the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel survive. Dacia is still keen to plug LPG as an alternative fuel but, given the wider current push for electrification, it's difficult to see this as a long-term strategy. Either way, power ranges from 89- to 99bhp and, in the case of our TCe 90 car, rests at 89bhp and 118lb ft, the latter from a useful 2100rpm. An electric version is due in 2028. That means 0-62mph takes a leisurely 11.7sec (in the SCe 65, it was a glacial 16.7sec). In the TCe 90, it's worth sticking to between 2000-4000rpm. Below that it's a bit gutless and above that it just shouts more without delivering any extra shove. It's a thrummy little three-cylinder engine, not the most refined but happy enough as you shift between the gears. The manual lever is shorter now and has a less rubbery action than of old; it's still not as precise as that in the Honda Jazz, but it's perfectly acceptable given the Sandero's price. Remember the CMF platform we mentioned earlier? Not only has it helped make the Sandero more spacious but also made it handle better. Grip levels are improved, the car rolls less than the old one and it's more comfortable, flowing across the asphalt more easily. It's no Ford Fiesta in terms of its adjustability through the steering and throttle, and the Ford remains the class benchmark. But considering the price of the Sandero, it can be hustled along far more quickly than you would have thought. It's a night-and-day improvement over the previous car, to the point that a long journey in this thing is no longer a daunting prospect. With the right road, it could even be enjoyable. Really, that's what's so impressive about this latest Sandero. We all know that Dacia can offer a cheap, value-driven car better than anyone, but now, dare we say it, it's also beginning to provide a suggestion of a desirable product, especially when you take into account that it still charges bargain prices. The Sandero used to appeal simply because it cost little; now it's likeable simply because it's a really good car. ]]>
