In no particular (actually, alphabetical) order:

Citroen C1

Dacia Sandero

Fiat Panda

Ford Ka

Hyundai i10

Kia Picanto

Peugeot 107

Renault Twingo

Seat Mii

Skoda Citigo

Smart Forfour

Toyota Aygo

Vauxhall Adam

Volkswagen Fox

Volkswagen Up!

The Citroen, Peugeot and Toyota are the same car and the go-to for first cars as they're cheap to run and reliable. Not particularly pleasant to be in and the boot is tiny, but perfectly adequate as a run around.

The Seat, Skoda and VW Up are also all the same car. A bit nicer than the first three, but also a little more expensive to buy and run. The boot is still silly, but there's more room in the back.

The Smart and Renault are essentially the same car. I have one (Twingo) and have previously had a Seat Mii. The Twingo is better in every way apart from the nagging fear that it might break down. That's illogical badge prejudice in all likelihood. There is loads of room inside and it can carry (narrow) loads of up to 2.4m. The engine is in the back (under a panel in the boot) so not the easiest to maintain.

The Hyundai and Kia are very closely related. They seem well-liked and generally reliable. The Hyundai in particular may be cheaper to insure as they're very popular with older drivers.

Dacia Sandero is a larger than the rest and based on an old Renault Clio. It's pretty low rent, but new drivers tend to beat their cars up, so does matter?

Fiat Panda is characterful and practical. Not much of a motorway car, but very easy to drive.

Most Ford Kas at this price will be based on the Fiat 500. Not bad cars at all, but cramped in the back.

Vauxhall Adam is a Corsa with a shorter chassis. There's nothing particularly amazing about it, but your daughter may like it as the interior is a bit better than most.

The Volkswagen Fox is an older model. Whilst it's not particularly attractive, the number still around suggests that it's proven to be very robust.

From that list, I would be looking for whatever is in the best condition rather than suggesting a particular model.

Wanted to thank everyone for the feedback, very much thought provoking and really informative. Thank you again :-)

The list shows Peugeot 107 - the 108 should be added as that's just the later version of the 107.

I have a suspicion that the obvious new driver choices will be more expensive to insure than something more left field. The more new drivers opt for C1/Aygo/108/Corsa/Fiesta, the statistically greater the chance of those models are of being in accidents. Hence premiums rise. Opt for something Korean, or a 1.0 Fabia, and they may be cheaper to insure because they’re deemed ‘safer’.

I'd agree with that. The more younger drivers are driving cars (and making claims on), the more expensive the insurance will become for subsequent younger drivers, regardless of insurance group.

While two examples (separated by nearly three decades) is certainly not conclusive, it should make the OP (and anyone else in similar position) stop and think.

Example one would be going back to the early 90's. Visiting a family friend in the Orkney Islands and discovered that the Volvo 460 (1.7 injection) sat in the drive belonged to the guys son who had just passed his test. I asked about the insurance cost, cheaper than the usual first car was the response.

Example two would be about six years ago, nephew had been taking about ludicrous quotes for a Fiesta. Fast forward a few months and I find out he has a Skoda Fabia VRS 1.9TDI (130bhp). He said the insurance was cheaper than he'd been quoted for a Fiesta 1.4 (80bhp). When I queried him further he said the the Fabia was apparently considered a "family car", and therefore a lower risk(?).

With the Volvo, I guess i can understand the logic. But absolutely baffled about the Fabia, with it being the hot hatch VRS version?!.