A new study has found the throughout Europe during 2024, with the continent's most popular model .

Despite the , caused by increased labour costs and supply chain shortages, 2024 was a strong year for vehicle sales, with many motorists across 42 countries choosing the same model.

According to data from , Europe's best-selling new car of 2024 was the , with 286,663 being sold across the continent over the 12-month period.

A , the Sandero is the cheapest model sold in the UK, with prices starting at £14,200 - around £5,000 less than most rival cars offered by traditional brands.

Despite not having the same level of refinement and standard equipment as more expensive rivals, many Dacia Sandero owners have praised the Romanian-built hatchback's surprising levels of interior space and comfortable ride quality.

Another particularly strong seller across Europe during 2024 was the Renault Clio, with the continent's 42 countries buying 269,436 examples.

Using the same platform as the Sandero, the Clio offers typical French style and a name most road users have been familiar with for nearly 35 years.

The latest version of the supermini is certainly larger than the 1990 original and offers a particularly plush interior and a practical 391-litre boot - one of the largest in its class.

Finally, a staggering number of motorists across Europe also bought a new Volkswagen Golf during 2024, with 225,256 examples of the German family hatchback leaving dealership forecourts.

Another long-running model name, having been first introduced in 1974, the Volkswagen Golf is still considered to be one of the best family hatchbacks around, thanks in part to its fun driving style and frugal engines.

Whilst it is certainly more expensive than some rivals, with the entry-level model priced at £27,570, the Golf range offers a surprisingly extensive amount of variants - spanning from the economical 1.5 Life to the exceedingly sporty R, which can sprint from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds.