was undoubtedly the world's biggest motoring show, where the opinions of , , and could make or break the fortunes of any new model.

However, one model that proved the trio of presenters wrong, the , has just been revealed as throughout 2024.

More than 309,000 examples of the hatchback were sold across the continent over the 12-month period, with the Sandero also being noted as Europe's overall best-seller since 2017.

One of the main reasons so many motorists are drawn to the Sandero is due to the supermini's particularly low price, with the entry-level Essential trim available for £14,200.

In comparison, many similarly-sized models from more familiar brands such as Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Peugeot can cost between £5,000 and £10,000 more.

Whilst the Dacia Sandero is the most popular choice for European motorists looking for a new car today, in 2008 the model was completely unheard of, particularly to UK buyers.

Most Brits first found out about the affordable car during a running gag on Top Gear, where James May would say "good news" and state a fact about the Sandero, only to be shut down by Jeremy Clarkson.

The joke was swapped one week, when James announced "bad news", before admitting that the model's launch in the UK was delayed. Completely uninterested in the news, Jeremy replied, "Oh no. Anyway...".

The Dacia Sandero officially launched in the UK in late 2012, with the Top Gear team quickly turning their ridicule into admiration for the low-cost hatchback.

In one challenge, which saw Clarkson, Hammond, and May tasked with driving across Ukraine, James successfully completed the task behind the wheel of a Sandero, stating it was less than half the price of Richard's Ford Fiesta.

One of the most memorable moments of the challenge was when Jeremy and James drove their cars through the town of Pripyat, which was abandoned in 1986 due to radioactive fallout from the Chornobyl nuclear plant explosion.

Introduced in 2020, the latest version of the Dacia Sandero shares the same platform as the current Renault Clio and Nissan Juke, but offers a unique appearance.

In the UK, drivers can choose from three trim levels and the choice of a 1.0-litre petrol or a bi-fuel powertrain that can also be run on LPG for lower running costs.

Whilst more expensive competitors are often better equipped, Dacia Sandero owners praise the model's incredible value for money and spacious interior, with most examples holding their value on the used market.