Buying a car on price alone can be risky.
While bargain-basement models might be affordable to buy, they tend not to be cheap to run, especially if you're constantly having to pay through the back teeth for repeat repair bills.
However, there are some cars that buck the trend. With the help of reliability data, here's a list of the top 10 small, dependable, used cars that you can pick up for less than $8,000 that will be relatively breakdown-free and cheap to own.
Photo / Honda
Eight most reliable cheap second-hand cars
1. Toyota (iQ 2008-14)
2.Suzuki Splash (2008)
3. Hyundai Getz (2002)
4. Honda Jazz (2008-14)
5. Hyundai i10 (2008-13
6. Hyundai i20 (2009-15)
7. Suzuki Alto (2009-14)
8. Honda Jazz (2001-08)
Warranty Direct has tapped into its Reliability Index analysis to reveal the most reliable cars for those on a tight budget.
It's based on 50,000 live policies, tracking how many claims are made for repair bills.
It looks at the frequency and type of faults, the age and mileage of the car and the cost of repairs, before assigning it an accurate index score.
Examples of each model in the top 10 can be found for sale online with less than 100,000 Km on the clock for less than $8,000.
Japanese car brands - which have long been considered the most durable due to their superior production processes and more meticulous testing regimes - dominate the top 10, featuring four times.
And because these cars are relatively teeny, they all have frugal engines that should make trips to the fuel station fairly infrequent.
The Toyota iQ - one of the smallest production models to ever be sold - took the number one spot to be named the most reliable cheap small car.
Photo / Toyota
Based on a year's ownership, they spend an average of just an hour off the road being repaired.
Mechanic bills to fix these issues amount to an average of just $430, with the low number of claims concerning mainly issues with engines.
Following closely in the order is the dependable - but equally mundane – Suzuki Splash.
Photo / Suzuki
While it has lower average repair costs than the Toyota IQ at $223, it misses out on first position due to longer repair times and a high number of axle and suspension problems, which accounts for 75 per cent of its claims.
The aging Hyundai Getz sits comfortably in third place for reliability, but due to owners experiencing more complex issues with its engines and gearboxes its average repair time is significantly higher than the Toyota IQ’s and the Suzuki Splash’s - over four hours.
Photo / Hyundai
Other notable mentions include the Honda Jazz, which features twice.
Simon Ackers, CEO of Warranty Direct, said the list is a good reference for anyone looking for a low-cost car, but warned that 'all drivers should remember any vehicle can land you with a large bill if they are not regularly checked and professionally serviced'.