CHEAP THRILLS BUT NO SPILLS

Essential Dacia steers you through tough times

- COLIN GOODWIN

This car is not new, so why are we testing it? For several reasons, but the main one is that the Dacia Sandero is the second cheapest new car money can buy. The only one that beats it is the Kia Picanto but only by a hundred quid - and it's smaller.

All over the country, people are having to move on to more expensive mortgage deals, and despite politicians' promises about inflation coming down there's little sign of it. So there's never been a better time to look at a car that costs £13,795.

Getting hold of an entry-level Dacia to test has been difficult because the company wants people to buy the posher models. So there's been no promoting the el cheapo versions.

Now, Dacia has wised up and put a Sandero Essential on sale. And there can't be many trim level names in the history of motoring as accurate as this one. Essential sums up this car.

Ours does have one option fitted that cranks the price up by £650 and that's Iron Blue metallic paint. If you don't tick that box you're stuck with white. I could live with white and would rather spend £150 and have the optional spare wheel.