New car prices have risen by more than a quarter, in some cases, in the last three years.

A study by consumer motoring website Honest John found widespread price hikes for some of Britain’s best-selling models.

The new Vauxhall Astra (pictured), for example, is now 26% more expensive than it was three years ago, with an OTR price of £23,805.

A comparative Nissan Qashqai is now 25% more expensive, costing buyers £24,555 today.

The research highlights the rising cost of living in the UK with motorists already reeling from record-high fuel prices that are forcing drivers to pay more than £1.50 for a litre of fuel.

Honest John says these higher list prices are likely to come as a shock to buyers who may not have changed their car in several years. And with a global computer chip shortage causing short supply and long waiting lists, buyers will find it fiendishly difficult to negotiate much of a discount.

“This research will come as a shock for many car buyers,” said HonestJohn.co.uk’s senior editor Dan Powell. 

“Consumers are accustomed to seeing prices creep up as manufacturers launch new models or update a vehicle’s specification, but some of these price jumps are eye-watering and some drivers will question why they are being asked to pay for new models that feature pricey tech they have neither asked for or need.”

The three-door Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost in the popular ST Line trim and the Fiat 500 are both now 19% more expensive than they were three years ago, while the VW Golf is 10% dearer.

Honest John is advising car buyers to seek out pre-registered cars to get the best deals.

Record UK inflation was accompanied by a further 29% year-on-year rise in used car values during January, according to data published by Auto Trader.

Price rises for 10 of Britain’s best-selling cars:

Make and model	Derivative	2022 OTR price	2019 OTR price	Percentage increase
Vauxhall Astra	Design 1.2-litre (110 PS) petrol manual compared with SE 1.2 (110PS) petrol manual	£23,805	£18,895	26%
Nissan Qashqai	Visia DIG-T 140 mild hybrid compared with Visia 1.3-litre DIG-T 140 petrol manual	£24,555	£19,595	25%
Ford Fiesta	Three-door ST Line 1.0-litre (100PS) EcoBoost petrol manual	£20,770	£17,415	19%
Fiat 500	Pop 1.0-litre petrol mild hybrid compared with Pop 1.2-litre (69hp) petrol	£14,235	£12,010	19%
Kia Sportage	'2' 1.6-litre T-GDi (148bhp) petrol manual  compared with  ‘2’ 1.6-litre GDI petrol manual	£26,745	£22,770	17%
Toyota Yaris	Icon 1.5 petrol hybrid automatic	£20,820	£18,190	14%
Ford Focus	ST Line 1.0-litre (125PS) EcoBoost petrol manual	£25,045	£22,145	13%
Vauxhall Corsa	SE Edition 1.2-litre (75PS) petrol manual compared with SE 1.2-litre (75PS) petrol manual	£17,380	£15,550	12%
Peugeot 2008	Active Premium 1.2-litre PureTech 100 petrol manual compared with Active 1.2-litre PureTech 100 petrol manual	£22,300	£20,150	11%
Volkswagen Golf	Golf Life 1.0-litre TSI (110PS) petrol manual  compared with  Match 1.0-litre TSI (115PS) petrol manual	£24,430	£22,135	10%