In Japan, drivers can buy a brand new car for much less, with the Suzuki Alto costing £5,600 (Image: Suzuki)
The has risen spectacularly in the past decade, with the increasing from £5,995 in 2015 to more than £14,000 today.
However, whilst the cost of new car components is increasing across the world, there are still plenty of affordable models sold in other countries, including .
Despite the Land of the Rising Sun’s reputation for its high , Japanese drivers are able to get behind the wheel of a considerable number of .
One of the most affordable is the Suzuki Alto, a with an entry-level price of 1,064,800 yen (£5,632).
As a result, the basic is nearly £9,000 cheaper than the UK’s most affordable car and more than £11,000 less than the entry-level Fiat 500 Hybrid.
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Despite being boxy, the Suzuki Alto’s bug-eye headlights make the car look attractive (Image: Suzuki)
The Suzuki Alto is one of a wide variety of ‘kei cars’ available almost uniquely to the Japanese market.
First established in the 1940s as a way to encourage more residents to buy a car, these vehicles have to follow strict regulations to keep them affordable to buy and run.
As a result, the Alto is slightly smaller than most cars sold in the UK, spanning just 3.4 metres long and less than 1.5 metres wide. In comparison, the best-selling Ford Puma, which many Brits consider a compact crossover, is nearly 70cm longer and 30cm wider.
However, despite its small size, the little Suzuki is still able to seat four passengers and a very considerable amount of storage spaces located throughout the interior.
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The city car offers enough space for four, but a radio is an optional extra on the base model (Image: Suzuki)
The tight restrictions over the Alto’s dimensions give the car a rather boxy appearance, including a rather flat front end and steep sloping rear that is more like a van than a hatchback.
However, Suzuki has given the model a number of touches to keep it looking cute, including a pair of large rounded headlights separated by a thin chrome bar and carefully sculpted front and rear bumpers.
Many of the high-end models also feature a wide range of two-tone paintwork schemes, with some sold with a red body and white roof, similar to many of the original Mini Coopers.
Like almost all kei cars, the Suzuki Alto features a minuscule 660cc engine with mild-hybrid technology, which allows the Japanese car to reach a top speed of 86mph and return up to 78mpg with careful driving.
The entry-level version of the Alto is understandably basic, but still features manual air conditioning, electric front windows, and keyless entry.
However, some luxuries expected on a new car sold in the UK are missing, with buyers of the basic version having to fit their own radio and wheel trims.