Obviously a new car is safer because it has better safety equipment and, being new, is more structurally sound. Depends on how much you can pay. You can still get a new Dacia Sandero for £6000 but you need to check how much insurance will cost you before you commit. If buying on a PCP you will need to take out Comprehensive insurance and additional GAP insurance to cover any difference between the insurance payout and the amount of money still owed on the car. Might work out better to buy secondhand and take out cheaper third party insurance, or black box telematics insurance. Always cheaper to have a couple of responsible adults as additional named drivers.