A new car for first time drivers should be cheap, easy to drive and safe. Here are the 10 best first cars
Buying your first car is one of the rites of passage to adulthood, and once you’ve passed your driving test, you’ll want your own wheels as soon as possible. However, buying and running a car can be expensive, so the best way to maximise how far your money goes is to get a car that’s affordable, economical and with cheap insurance. Buying a brand new car means you’ll get a warranty, while also reducing the chances of mechanical problems in the first place.
Here we’ve listed 10 of the best new cars for new drivers. They are small enough to be manageable – new drivers will be able to position them easily on the road – but offer some luxuries to keep new drivers safe and connected, too. They’re also good to drive, which will help new drivers to build confidence with every mile.
• Best superminis to buy now
One of the biggest obstacles to driving is sky-high insurance costs. As a new driver, your lack of experience will count against you in the eyes of an insurer. If you can keep out of trouble for 12 months, you will accrue a no-claims discount which will give you a percentage reduction on your premium. And if you continue to not make any insurance claims, then this discount will only grow over the years.
One way of boosting a no-claims discount is to fit your car with an insurer-approved ‘black box’. This electronic device plugs into your car’s electronics and monitors your driving, and you and your insurer can review your performance to see how and where you can improve your driving. Return a good score, and the insurer can further reduce your payments for cover.
• Cheapest cars to insure
Some parents will be in a position to buy their children their first car, and if you’re in that enviable situation, then you’ll likely want to buy the safest car possible. You need to find the small cars that come with the highest rating by independent assessment organisation Euro NCAP: the higher the score for a car, the safer it is.
It’s worth noting that the Euro NCAP test was updated in 2015 to reflect the more advanced safety kit found on newer cars. That means not all cars can be directly compared, because a five-star-rated car from before 2015 may not earn the same star rating today. Still, buying a new car rather than an old second-hand one will mean it’s inherently safer, because kit such as anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control is generally fitted as standard.
• Best city cars to buy now
We’d recommend going for a petrol car over a diesel. There aren’t many small diesel cars on sale anyway, and you’ll only reap the benefit of their better fuel consumption if you do lots of motorway miles, which is unlikely if you’re an inexperienced driver. It’s better to go for a small petrol, and if the option of stop-start is available – either as standard or an extra – then that will reduce running costs even more. While the experience of the engine cutting out when you put the car in neutral might be unnerving, you’ll soon get into the habit of saving fuel and making your money go further.
Other highlights to look out for when buying a car for a new driver include light steering, good visibility, a responsive engine and brakes, user-friendly controls and a positive gear shift; all of these help a new driver build confidence during their time behind the wheel.
Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2019
First Cars on Auto Express…
Everything you need to know about learning to drive, getting your driving licence and choosing your first car…
Learning to drive
- How to get your driving licence
- What is the highway code?
- Best intensive driving courses
Passing your driving test
- Driving theory test: everything you need to know
- Hazard perception test: what to expect and how to pass
- Driving test ‘show me, tell me’ quesions: hints and tips
- Practical driving test: how to pass
- Driving test pass rates explained
- Driving test aids product test
- History of the UK driving test
Getting your first car
- Best first cars for young drivers
- Cheapest cars to insure
- Cheaper car insurance for young drivers: our top tips
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