New cars aren’t as cheap as they used to be, but there are still plenty of affordable options out there.
Having said that, the purchase price of a new car is only part of the financial equation. In addition to the sticker price, car buyers need to factor in warranty, servicing, and other after-sales support.
Australia’s cheapest new cars all sit within the same price bracket, but each comes with its own unique servicing costs. Those costs add up, especially in the eyes of frugal motorists.
With that in mind, which of these budget-friendly vehicles costs the least to run? Here’s a breakdown for each.
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| Make/model | Service intervals | Capped-price servicing | Total capped-price servicing cost | Average annual capped-price servicing cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto | 12 months or 15,000km | 7 years | $3069 | $438 |
| Suzuki Ignis | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | $1955 | $391 |
| Hyundai Venue | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | $1865 | $373 |
| Mazda 2 | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | $2184 | $436 |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | TBC | 7 years | TBC | TBC |
| MG 3 | 12 months or 10,000km | 7 years | $2514 | $359 |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 12 months or 15,000km | 10 years (conditional) | $1945 (5 years) $5020 (10 years) | $389 (5 years) $502 (10 years) |
| Suzuki Swift Hybrid | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | $1955 | $391 |
| MG 5 | 12 months or 10,000km | 7 years | $2661 | $380 |
| GWM Haval Jolion | 12 months or 15,000km (10,000km first service) | 5 years | $1550 | $310 |
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto remains the cheapest car in Australia, with a starting price of $17,890 before on-road costs for the base Sport Manual.
While it costs little to purchase, the Picanto is actually the most expensive cheap car to service, with an average servicing bill of $438 per year over the first five years.
However, owners benefit from Kia’s seven-year warranty, which is two years longer than you get from many other manufacturers.
| Ownership program | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 8 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3069 |
| Average annual service cost | $438 |
Interested in a Kia Picanto? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Suzuki Ignis
It’s a significant step up from the Picanto to the Suzuki Ignis, which starts at $21,490 plus on-roads.
However, this Japanese oddball is cheaper to service, costing an average of $391 per year over the first five years.
Like many of the cars featured on this list, the Ignis is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five years of service-activated roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Suzuki Ignis |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1955 |
| Average annual service cost | $391 |
Interested in a Suzuki Ignis? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue is the second cheapest budget car to service, costing an average of $315 per year over the first half a decade.
Manual examples can be had from $22,500 before on-road costs, while automatic versions start at $24,500 plus on-roads.
In addition to affordable servicing, Venue owners can access up to 10 years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Hyundai Venue |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 10 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1865 |
| Average annual service cost | $373 |
Interested in a Hyundai Venue? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Mazda 2
The Mazda 2 has been a popular first or last car for decades, and it’s still a no-frills budget hatchback in 2024.
Cheap to buy, yes, but not so cheap to service. Five years of regular servicing will set you back $2184 at an average of $436 per year, dearer than most of the cars in this list.
Five years of roadside assistance is included, without the need to service the car within Mazda’s dealer network to retain.
| Ownership program | Mazda 2 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2184 |
| Average annual service cost | $436 |
Interested in a Mazda 2? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
Servicing information for the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has not yet been made available, ahead of its local launch in October.
What we do know is the Tiggo 4 Pro will be back backed by Chery’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, in line with the rest of the range.
Chery has confirmed that the Tiggo 4 Pro will also be sold with seven years of capped-price servicing, and up to seven years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Roadside assistance | 7 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | TBC |
| Average annual service cost | TBC |
Interested in a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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MG 3
MG is one of the industry leaders for after-sales support, and MG 3 buyers are entitled to the benefits.
We’ve looked at the new-generation MG 3, though its cheaper predecessor is expected to remain in stock at MG dealerships until later this year.
Servicing costs for the new-generation petrol model for the first seven years total $2530, and owners can call upon MG roadside assistance for up to 10 years.
The Chinese brand also boasts the longest warranty of any manufacturer – 10 years or 250,000km.
| Ownership program | MG 3 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 10 years, 250,000km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 10 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2514 |
| Average annual service cost | $359 |
Interested in a MG 3? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Mitsubishi ASX
The Mitsubishi ASX doesn’t stand out from an annual service costs perspective, but the brand offers owners long-term support.
Keeping an ASX within the Mitsubishi dealer network entitles owners to 10 years of capped-price servicing, at an average of $502 per year.
You also get 10 years of warranty, as well as up to four years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Mitsubishi ASX |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, 100,000km 10 years, 200,000km (conditional) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 10 years (conditional) |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1945 (5 years) $5020 (10 years) |
| Average annual service cost | $389 (5 years) $502 (10 years) |
Interested in a Mitsubishi ASX? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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Suzuki Swift Hybrid
The new generation of Suzuki Swift has gone mild-hybrid, but that hasn’t sent running costs through the roof.
Servicing is capped at $1955 for the first five years, with maintenance required annually or every 15,000km.
All Swift’s are covered by Suzuki’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with up to five years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Suzuki Swift Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months, 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1955 |
| Average annual service cost | $391 |
Interested in a Suzuki Swift? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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MG 5
The MG 5 is the only sedan among Australia’s cheapest cars, and it comes with seven years of capped-price servicing.
All up, you’ll pay $2661 over the first seven years, at an average of $380 per year.
Every MG 5 is covered by a 10-year, 250,000km warranty, the longest of any carmaker, with the inclusion of up to a decade of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | MG MG5 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 10 years, 250,000km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 10 years (service activated) |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2661 |
| Average annual service cost | $380 |
Interested in a MG 5? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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GWM Haval Jolion
There may be cheaper cars than the GWM Haval Jolion, but none match this SUV on servicing.
Five years of maintenance costs $1550, at an average of $310 per visit, less than any other car on this list.
With that said, the capped-price servicing period ends after five years, while other brands offer lengthier packages.
The GWM Haval Jolion is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Ownership program | GWM Haval Jolion |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1550 |
| Average annual service cost | $310 |
Interested in a GWM Haval Jolion? CarExpert’s specialists can help you find a deal.
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