Just ask Autocar's James Ruppert, who has driven bangers for years, saving a fortune in the process. If low running costs are key you don't buy a new car – or sign up to one on some type of finance such as a PCP.

You'll buy used, even if it's a delivery-mileage ex-demo, to save a packet. As a result these tips are based around buying and running a used car rather than a new one and while some of these tips might seem a bit OTT, they're all worthy of consideration. And, let’s face it, with the country struggling to recover from the pandemic crisis, saving money is more important than ever. Because as grandma used to say, just look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves: