VAUXHALL has ended the 11-month reign of the Perodua Nippa as the cheapest car to run in Britain, according to the latest 'Top 40' Value for Money chart from CAP Monitor Future Residual Values, the industry guide to running costs and future used values. Strong expected demand in the future used car market has driven down the Corsa 1.0i 12v Trip hatchback three-door's pence per mile ownership costs to leave it level-pegging with its Malaysian-built rival at 13.1ppm over three years/60,000 miles.

'The Corsa Trip has moved up from second place in the 'Top 40' thanks to a forecast improvement in its value as a used car in three years time,' said Monitor editor Mark Norman. The £6,820 Corsa will be worth £3,075 after three years/60,000 miles and Norman added: 'Although the Corsa costs £2,000 more than the Nippa to buy new, its strong resale value means there is no long-term advantage in buying the cheaper car. At the end of three years the Nippa will be worth £1,650 while the Corsa will be worth double that figure.'

Elsewhere, price cuts have paid dividends for the Citroen Saxo 1.5 D X three-door which rises 16 places to joint ninth; while former chart topper the SEAT Arosa occupies third and fourth spots with the 1.0 MPi and 1.7 SDi three-door variants costing 13.6ppm and 14.1ppm.