Cheapest used cars for new drivers revealed

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 25 Sept 2024

A new study has revealed the Nissan Micra is the cheapest car for new drivers to buy and run, thanks to a combination of affordable secondhand prices and reasonable insurance premiums.

The Nissan Micra boasts the lowest median used car price, at £1990, and costs £2758 for a Gen Z driver to insure – and this formidable insurance cost is considered depressingly normal for younger motorists.

It gives the Micra a first-year cost of £4748 for younger drivers. The Vauxhall Corsa is a close second, with a total cost of £4885, with the Renault Megane in third on £4986.

No other car in the top 10 most affordable models for new drivers dips under the £5k first-year cost – and two cars, the Nissan Note and Citroen C3, cost over £6k.

Car insurance experts at Independent Advisor calculated the top 10 using a bespoke methodology. This saw a list of the top 200 registered vehicles created, with cars lacking a Euro NCAP safety rating immediately dismissed.

Secondhand prices were then considered, with an average new driver insurance price calculated for each. The sum of these created the top 10. 

"For new drivers, especially Gen Z, insurance premiums can be especially high. Focusing on the affordably of car insurance, not just the price of the car itself, is vital," says Independent Advisor’s Connor Campbell.

Campbell’s top tips for new drivers to save money include obtaining insurance quotes for multiple vehicles, given how much they can vary between models.

New drivers should also factor in running costs, paying attention to the fuel economy of the car they’re considering, and check the MoT history – advisories one year can turn into expensive failures the next.

It’s also worth looking out for service history. Evidence of regular maintenance is no guarantee of a problem-free car in the future, but it can help improve the odds.

10 cheapest used cars for new drivers

1: Nissan Micra – £4758 total first-year cost

2: Vauxhall Corsa – £4885

3: Renault Megane – £4986

4: Citroen C1 – £5306

5: Smart Fortwo – £5507

6: Vauxhall Astra – £5664

7: Vauxhall Meriva – £5682

8: Renault Clio – £5990

9: Nissan Note – £6065

10: Citroen C3 – £6124

Ask HJ

What do you suggest as a good first car?

I am looking at getting my son a first car with a budget of about £3000. I am looking at Hyundai i20, Citroen C3 and the Peugeot 208. I have been told that the Citroen and Peugeot will cost more for parts and servicing and to avoid them but you seem to get more car for your money with these 2 manufacturers. Any advice greatly appreciated please.

Generally, yes, a Hyundai i20 for £3k is likely to be more reliable than a Peugeot 208 or Citroen C3. It does depend a little on the car's condition and how it's been looked after, though - if you can find a 208 or C3 with low miles and lots of service history, it could be a good purchase. Take a look at the Kia Rio, too (it's mechanically very similar to the Hyundai i20) or a Toyota Yaris. We'd also recommend a Ford Fiesta with the robust 1.25-litre petrol engine.

Answered by Andrew Brady

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