Top 5 Cars for Young Drivers
This is a contributed post kindly written by Emma Wortley
Top 5 Cars For Young Drivers
Looking for your first car can be an incredibly exciting experience! However, many young drivers face the difficult challenge of choosing a suitable vehicle that will suit their style preferences and bank balance. So regardless of whether you are currently learning to drive, or if you have just passed your test and are looking for a new car to hone your motoring skills, here are some of our top recommendations on the best cars for young drivers;
1 – Hyundai i10
Since 2014, the Hyundai i10 has been hailed as the Best City Car in the What Car? Car Of The Year awards. The same traits which make the Hyundai i10 an exceptional city car also make it an ideal first car for young drivers. It is easy to park, affordable to run (with its 1.2 litre engine edition offering a fuel efficiency of 57.6mpg) and comes equipped with a wide range of technological additions alongside ample storage space.
2 – Fiat 500
For many decades the Fiat 500 has been a popular automotive choice for young drivers and city motorists alike. This is due to the fact that the standard 1.2lite 68bhp engine edition emits less than 90g/km of CO2 emissions and a fuel efficiency of 74.3mpg combined. As such , you will be able to benefit from road tax exemptions and cost-effective fuel prices as you refine your driving skills on the open roads. What’s more, the Fiat 500 is constantly reinventing itself with new trim levels, such as ‘Pop’, ‘Pop Star’ and ‘Lounge’, which offer new colours, start/stop technology, six-speaker audio systems and steering wheel mounted controls amongst other stylish and practical additions. What more could you ask for?
3 – Ford Fiesta ST
When it comes to selecting a reliable yet stylish first car you cannot go wrong with a Ford Fiesta ST. Popular amongst young drivers and motoring critics alike, the 2014 model of the Ford Fiesta ST is officially Britain’s biggest selling car of all time and accrued over 22 awards in its debut season for its exceptional performance, compact dimensions and affordability. Opt for the 1.0 EcoBoost engine edition and you will benefit from a fuel efficiency of 65.7mpg; perfect for testing your driving capabilities without draining your bank balance!
4 – Vauxhall Corsa
The new Vauxhall Corsa has been designed with young drivers in mind. Not only will you benefit from low running costs, but Vauxhall also offer promotions for young drivers including discounts off the dealership listing price and reduced insurance costs. You can also rest assured that you will be safe and secure within this spacious city car because the Vauxhall Corsa has been accredited with five stars following its European NCAP crash tests.
5 – Toyota Aygo X-Play
If you want your first car to be cost-effective whilst still retaining an air of personalisation then the second generation Toyota Aygo X-Play is the ideal first car for you. The rear bumper inserts, wing mirror caps, nose cone and even the signature ‘X’ on the front can be finished in your choice of black, white or silver. You can also personalise the interior with stylish revisions to the dashboard trim, centre console and steering wheel. Combine these customisation properties with a fuel efficiency of 68.9mpg, and a 4.8m turning circle which ideal for getting to grips with parallel parking and 3-point-turns, and you have yourself a great first car!
Purchasing Advice & Industry Insights
Once you’ve decided which vehicle you’d like to own as your first car you can begin to shop around for it! First and foremost, it is important that you ascertain the exact make and model of vehicle that you would like to buy and that you investigate the different avenues from which you can purchase it. Whether you intend to buy a new or used car, you should contact all manner of local private sellers, car auctions, franchised and independent dealers as well as online vehicle dealerships and automotive discussion forums. Carrying out this essential research will enable you to assess an average price for your chosen vehicle. By doing so, you can pay a fair and reasonable price for your first car and set aside the remainder of your budget for covering road tax, maintenance costs, insurance coverage and all the other expensive additions that accompany buying your first car.
Furthermore, it is also crucial that you arrange a test drive to check the general condition of the vehicle you intend to buy. If you do not feel confident assessing the mechanics of a vehicle on your own then it can prove extremely helpful to have a close friend or relative accompany you in order to offer their objective opinion. During this test drive you should scrutinise the condition of the vehicle’s engine, brakes, its handling and acceleration capabilities, as well as the general condition of its exterior and interior.
If you plan to purchase a used car then you should also take this opportunity to check with the seller when it was last serviced. Every vehicle manufactured has a recommended servicing schedule that owners should follow. Automotive mechanics advise that if a car has not been serviced in the last 12 months then it could be masking an diagnosed problem that will cost you substantially in the long term. If you are satisfied with these vehicular checks then all that is left to do is verify the information on the vehicle’s V5C registration document is in order, certify that the vehicle carries an official MOT certificate, and you will be able to take legal ownership of your first car!
