Best First Cars in the UK: A Guide for New Drivers

Summary

• Insurance groups 1–10 are cheapest to insure: Small engines and low-power cars keep premiums manageable.
• Budget £3,000–£6,000 for a good first car: Enough to get something reliable without breaking the bank.
• Always run a history check: Many first-time buyers skip this step. Don't. Use our car history check to stay safe.

Choosing your first car is exciting. But it's also one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make as a new driver.

Here's how to choose wisely.

---

What to Look for in a First Car

• Low insurance group (1–10): Insurance is the biggest cost for new drivers. Cheaper cars = cheaper insurance.
• Small engine (1.0–1.2L): Cheaper to insure, tax, and fuel.
• Reliable brand: Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki have excellent reliability records.
• Cheap parts: Popular cars have affordable parts if something breaks.
• Good safety rating: Check Euro NCAP scores. You want at least 4 stars.

---

Best First Cars for New Drivers

Car	Insurance Group	Used Price (approx)	Why It's Good
Volkswagen Polo 1.0	1–5	£5,000–£9,000	Well-built, safe, cheap to run
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost	2–7	£4,000–£8,000	Fun to drive, huge aftermarket
Toyota Yaris 1.0	2–6	£3,000–£7,000	Bulletproof reliability, low running costs
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2	2–8	£3,000–£7,000	Cheap to buy and insure, plenty available
Suzuki Swift 1.0	3–7	£4,000–£8,000	Light, nimble, very reliable
Hyundai i10 1.0	1–3	£3,000–£6,000	Lowest insurance groups, cheap to run
SEAT Ibiza 1.0	2–6	£4,000–£8,000	Spacious for the class, stylish, good tech

---

Running Costs to Budget For

• Insurance: £1,000–£2,500+ for new drivers. Shop around and consider black box insurance.
• Road tax: £0–£180 for small engines. Check with our tax checker.
• Fuel: Small cars do 40–55 mpg. Budget £60–£100 per month.
• MOT: Up to £54.85 per year for the test. Plus any repair costs.
• Servicing: £100–£200 for a basic service at an independent garage.

---

Cars to Avoid as a First Car

• Anything with a turbo over 1.4L: Insurance will be very expensive.
• German luxury (BMW, Audi, Mercedes): Cheap to buy used, expensive to insure and repair.
• Old diesel cars: High road tax, clean air zone charges, and expensive repairs.
• Modified cars: Any modification can void insurance or increase premiums massively.

The best first car is one you can afford to insure, fuel, and fix. It doesn't need to be flashy. It needs to be reliable.

---

Before You Buy

1. Get insurance quotes before you commit to a car.
2. Run a car history check to check for write-offs, finance, and stolen status.
3. Check the MOT history for mileage consistency and advisories.
4. Read our used car buying checklist.

Read our other articles: