Chevrolet Matiz

The Chevrolet Matiz is a true bargain basement machine. It's not very good looking, has a poor quality cabin and not much space in the back.

Throw it into a bend and you'll be alarmed by the amount of body roll, go up any hills and you'll be forever stirring the gearbox in an attempt to ring some life from the engine, particularly the 50bhp 800cc three-cylinder petrol unit.

However, it is cheap to run. In entry-level 0.8 S form it costs £6,315, returns 54mpg and emits 119g/km of CO2 as well. What's more, it's a tough little machine with a hardy reputation for reliability.