Best new car deals 2026: top cash discounts, plus how to haggle

New cars can be eye-wateringly expensive, so whatever model you're looking at you won't want to pay over the odds. But it's not easy knowing exactly what a good deal looks like.

That's where our unique pricing data comes in, revealing the cars that have seen the biggest cash discounts (and increases) so you know exactly what to expect to pay and whether now is a good time to buy.

We calculate new car discounts by combining real-world mystery shopping, detailed market research and rigorous validation. This includes analysis of dealer discounts, manufacturer incentives and other key factors that shape transaction pricing.

The result is data that reflects genuine, achievable discounts, so you'll know how much you should be paying for your new car.

Read on to see the biggest price swings for the cars we've reviewed and how to haggle when buying a car from a dealership.

Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular T&Cs of a provider before committing to any financial products. All figures calculated 22 September, 2026.

Biggest new car price drops

These are the five new cars we've reviewed with the highest month-on-month price decreases, according to our unique pricing data.

Very few cars have seen significant price drops this month, with three exceptions.

Both versions of the Vauxhall Grandland we've reviewed are currently available with very large discounts through dealers and, and in the case of the Hybrid model, through Vauxhall too. Unusually, if you choose to buy a Grandland Hybrid with finance through Vauxhall directly, basic cars are much more expensive to finance than other trim levels as the APR is much higher (10.9% compared to 0%).

The Astra Sports Tourer is also available with a £4,000 finance deposit contribution through Vauxhall and significant dealer discounts. It's worth noting that the Electric version of the Astra Sports Tourer is available with fewer discounts through Vauxhall, which suggests that dealers are offering more discounts.

While the most recent discounts on the Kona Hybrid are quite small, it was already reasonably heavily discounted when compared to its list price. We've also seen several examples of the Kona Hybrid advertised online with even larger discounts.

This suggests dealers might be offering a big slice of the discount for cash purchases, so you might have to push them to get the full amount.

How to buy the best new car: we explain how to buy a cheap new car and find the right model for you

Biggest new car price increases

These are the five new cars with the biggest month-on-month price increases.

Few cars have seen large price rises over the last month.

Vauxhall's current offer on the Corsa Electric isn't great as the brand doesn't offer a deposit contribution despte the car being available with 0% interest.

As Mazda's own offers on the CX-60 PHEV range haven't changed since the start of July, dealers must be reducing the discounts they are offering on the CX-60.

Two Volkswagen models also feature in this list. The Golf GTE is still significantly cheaper than its list price and we suspect that as dealers and Volkseagen have very few examples of this car in stock in the UK, there's less reason to offer discounts.

With the Polo, its price rise is likely to be due to dealer discounts reducing, although you can still find comparatively large discounts if you look online at dealer stock.

As we've previously seen, while the Peugeot 2008 is still available with large dealer discounts of around £6,000 when compared to list price, these discounts aren't as large as they have been previous months.

Bestselling cars: average cash discounts

Our data shows that for the UK’s best-selling cars in August 2026 that we've lab tested, their cash prices haven’t changed much compared to last month.

The Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage and MG HS are now slightly more expensive than they were was last month, while the typical prices for the Ford Puma and Mini Cooper are unchanged.

Before buying a new car: what you need to prepare

It helps if you’re clear beforehand on exactly which model, engine/motor and trim level you’re interested in. Manufacturer websites are a good place to check if you’re buying new, but you can also get an idea from our new and used car reviews.

When buying new, look for manufacturer discounts online and in ads, and be prepared to bargain – dealers might still have their own margin to play with on top of what’s offered by the manufacturer.

Some dealers also regularly advertise heavily discounted new cars on sites such as Carwow and Autotrader. Even if the cheapest car you're interested in is hundreds of miles from where you live, it can be useful to see other dealers' list prices for the car you're after. Take any quotes with you to show the salesperson.

Most new car buyers need some form of finance, and dealers are keen to offer their own finance packages. However, they may not be the most suitable or cheapest way to buy a new car. Our expert guide to car finance explains the pros and cons of the most popular methods.

Whether or not you want to take out dealer finance, it can pay to express an interest in it. Some dealers are prepared to offer a bigger discount off the new price because they make more money on the finance that goes with it. You can then push for the same discount when paying cash.

Confused about the different car finance products? Our expert guide to car finance explains all

How to haggle when buying a car

We asked Pat Hoy, founder of Insider Car Deals, an independent specialist in new-car discounts and pricing, to give us his tips on how you can get the best deal when buying a new car and how to haggle for one effectively.

What’s your top tip for someone who hates haggling?

If you dislike haggling, reduce the need for it.

Decide the maximum you’re willing to pay (using the prices displayed in Which? car reviews as a guide), then say to a salesperson that you're happy to proceed if they're willing to match the price for the exact model and trim. This keeps the discussion simple and avoids drawn-out negotiations.

Best car tyres: see the models that did best in our tough lab and road tests – and those to avoid

How would you deal with a salesperson refusing to budge on price?

If a salesperson won’t budge, stay calm and don’t take it personally.

Ask whether the price includes the best available dealer discount and all available manufacturer support. If it does, talk to a few other dealers for comparison.

Additionally, make it clear that you are prepared to walk away. That can often make a salesperson quickly change their stance.

Would you recommend accepting extras in place of a cash discount?

Prioritise a straight cash discount. Dealer-supplied extras such as paint protection or extended warranties often carry high margins, so the 'value' offered may cost the dealer far less than the discount you’re giving up.

Factory-fitted options you genuinely want are different – but only if you’d have chosen them anyway.

How can you tell when you’ve got the maximum available discount?

There’s no perfect way to know you’ve hit the maximum, but you can sense-check it.

If the offer is at, or close to, the car's price in the Which? review (which includes typical discounts for the base model), it’s already a strong deal. However, there may be a bit more discount available if you and the dealer can agree. Treat phrases such as 'that’s our limit' cautiously and use an independent benchmark to judge whether further movement is realistic.

Is there a good time of the year to pick up a bargain?

You’ll hear talk of end-of-month or end-of-quarter bargains, but it often depends on how well a model or dealer is performing. Early in the year can be competitive, as can the September plate change if targets are being chased. Also watch for manufacturer sales events, which sometimes bring stronger support.

Is it always better to pay in cash if you can afford it?

Not necessarily. Paying cash doesn’t automatically secure the best deal. A low-APR PCP offer with a strong finance deposit contribution can sometimes mean you pay less overall than the headline cash price. The key is to compare the total amount payable under each buying option before deciding.

What type of finance deal are you most likely to get the best deal with?

PCP (personal contract purchase) is usually where manufacturers concentrate most of their incentives, as it’s how the majority of new cars are bought. The strongest deals typically combine a low APR with a generous finance deposit contribution. Without both elements, a PCP offer may not be as competitive as it first appears.

Would you recommend part-exchanging a car as part of a deal?

Part-exchange is mainly for convenience, not maximum value. You’ll usually do better by agreeing the best price on the new car first, then discussing your current vehicle. That approach helps ensure the dealer offers a realistic market value. Selling privately can achieve more but involves extra time and effort.

What tricks will salespeople use to avoid giving you too big a discount?

Salespeople may say a model is 'selling out', that only stock cars qualify for bigger savings, or that a manufacturer's deposit contribution is the discount. Some claim they must contribute towards the cost of a PCP finance offer, limiting what they can reduce, or that the manufacturer won’t allow further discounting. These points can sometimes be true, but they’re also common negotiating lines. Sense-check against other dealers before accepting them at face value.

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