Finding the best used car for young drivers can be a headache for everyone involved. Parents want a reliable, safe car that doesn't cost too much to run, while most young drivers want to look cool. However, for many of these young people, the thrill of passing their driving test can soon be eclipsed by the realisation of sky-high insurance premiums, especially when you add in road tax on top of that.
Ideally, you want a car that occupies a low insurance group and doesn't cost an excessive amount to tax. You'll naturally want a car that is good on fuel and won't cost much to service or maintain.
So, where do you start? This guide highlights popular and not-so-well-known models for young drivers to start their driving journey with.
- Honourable mentions
- Skoda Citigo
- Hyundai i10
- Toyota Aygo (Aygo X)
- Kia Picanto
- Dacia Spring
- Citroen C1
- Suzuki Ignis
- Dacia Sandero
- Volkswagen Polo
- Skoda Fabia
- Frequently asked questions
Honourable Mentions: Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa
Before we do a deep dive into the best used cars for new drivers, two of the most popular models that appear on any of these lists are the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. The reason they haven't been included on our list is that they appear on every new-driver list due to their popularity. So, we've honourably mentioned them in their own special section, freeing up a couple of spaces for some other cars that are well worth looking at.
There are a number of reasons the Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Britain, but it all boils down to its low running costs and how good it is as an all-rounder. And if the Fiesta doesn't quite take your fancy, then you may like the look of the Vauxhall Corsa, which has been a go-to for young drivers for many years.
With plenty of excellent used examples of both, they're a great option as a first car for a young driver. Although the Fiesta isn't manufactured anymore, because of its Ford status, it's extremely favourable with young drivers.
Both have lots of trim and engine options that appeal to new drivers. One thing that's worth mentioning is that because young drivers love the Fiesta and Corsa, the insurance premiums can be above average for both, even when they're in low insurance groups. A lot of new drivers buzzing around in Fiesta and Corsa models naturally pushes premiums up due to the volume of them on the road. It's worth checking an insurance quote before you commit.
Search Used Ford Fiesta Search Used Vauxhall CorsaSkoda Citigo
- Insurance Group: 1 to 4 (petrol) 11 to 12 (electric)
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 62 to 68 (petrol)
There's a clue in the name of the Citigo about the type of car Skoda was building. A popular runaround, the Citgo is a great first car for those young folk, new to driving. It's got that solid Skoda build, and its interior is functional and straightforward, without any complicated surprises.
Built in conjunction with Volkswagen and SEAT, who have the up! and Mii respectively, it comes with a single 1.0-litre, three-cylinder powertrain with either 59bhp or 74bhp on tap. If the driver is using it for a runaround, then 59bhp will suffice; if they intend to venture out and beyond, most will opt for the larger powertrain, which will cope better with motorway driving.
Now far removed from Skoda's reputation in the 80s, thanks to its reinvention and decades of solid, reliable cars, the Citigo will give a new driver the freedom they desire, giving them a practical, first small car with a strong reliability record. Plus, there is also a Skoda Citigo E-iV all-electric, which offers a cool 170 miles of range on a single charge but will push up insurance costs slightly, which might not be ideal for those on a super tight budget.
Search Used Skoda CitigoHyundai i10
- Insurance Group: 1 to 7
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 47.9 to 70.6
The Hyundai i10 has always been an excellent choice for young drivers who want a small, frugal, and super-easy-to-drive car. Thankfully, this hasn't changed because Hyundai's compact city car is still worthy of consideration.
Recent generations of i10 are better than ever, bringing a host of vibrant body colours alongside some welcome creature comforts. Rare in this segment was the potential to get an integrated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The 'SE' is a real sweet spot, with DAB radio, Bluetooth, air conditioning, and cruise control all thrown in.
There are a couple of petrol engines to choose from: a 1.0-litre and a 1.2-litre. Neither will win any drag races, but they offer a decent blend of usable performance and efficiency, with the 1.2-litre offering a little more power, making it stronger for motorway driving.
Search Used Hyundai i10Toyota Aygo (Aygo X)
- Insurance Group: 5 to 9 (petrol) 16 to 19 (hybrid)
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 51.6 to 58.9 (petrol) / 70.6 to 76.4 (hybrid)
For reliability, you can't top a Toyota, and the Toyota Aygo (now branded as the Toyota Aygo X) is no exception. It's a fun-looking supermini with a range of excellent standard equipment, including air con, smartphone integration, and a reversing camera, with the latter a welcome addition for drivers new to the road.
Both the earlier Aygo and Aygo X come with a 1.0-litre powertrain, pushing out 71bhp, while the newer Aygo X is a self-charging hybrid, upping the power to 114bhp, which might be putting the Aygo X hybrid out of new drivers' budgets when it comes to insurance, but will be more of a sensible option for those who love to travel afar. The balance is that you get a better mpg with a top 76.4mpg.
Whichever model catches your eye, this Toyota is fun to drive and responds well on the road, with plenty of fantastic standard equipment options included, making it a solid option for young drivers.
Search Used Toyota AygoKia Picanto
- Insurance Group: 4 to 10
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 44.8 to 64.3
Every single car on this list is brilliant in its own way. The Kia Picanto really shines because it came with a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty when new. Why should you care? Well, that warranty can be passed on to future owners. Yep, it's completely transferable.
Aside from the outstanding warranty that could save you a pretty penny, the Picanto is an impressive city car sure to win anyone's affection. Certain Picanto models feature desirable features such as air conditioning, alloy wheels, and electric rear windows. Top-spec cars get a touchscreen infotainment system and a reversing camera, among other goodies.
There is a decent range of petrol engines to choose from in the Picanto, with some offering more power and others offering better fuel economy. Ultimately, it depends on your needs.
Search Used Kia PicantoDacia Spring
- Insurance Group: 23 to 28
- Official Range: 140 miles
All-electric cars can be tricky for new drivers due to their high insurance premiums, but the Dacia Spring is definitely worth a mention because it balances out this with a keen used price and, of course, its electric powertrain.
Its no-nonsense design, and fun drive will appeal to new drivers, and although it's an electric, it only offers 44bhp and 64bhp versions, with ‘very slow’ and ‘slow’ acceleration from each powertrain. Not the quick sprint you normally get with all-electric cars.
So, what's the appeal? It's all-electric, with a 140-mile range, which keeps driving costs down while balancing insurance costs. It has air conditioning, is Apple- and Android-compatible, has cup holders and USB ports, and the drive isn't too bad either. Plus, it comes with lots of ADAS systems, and on the higher spec, you even get a central 10-inch infotainment screen with wireless connectivity.
Search Used Dacia SpringCitroën C1
- Insurance Group: 6 to 13
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 52.2 to 74.3
The Citroën C1 has been a firm favourite among young drivers ever since the original was released in 2005. With every new generation, a C1 has come out that feels more premium without losing the essence that made the original so popular.
There are a handful of models to choose from, with the C1 mid-spec 'Feel' offering plenty of equipment, including a 7.0-inch infotainment system (Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™) and air-conditioning. The higher-spec model gets additional goodies, including a rear parking camera and a useful speed limiter. Plus, newer versions lean into the retro Citroën 2CV style, offering a fabric roof that opens up for those long summer drives.
The 1.0-litre petrol engine is more than adequate for everyday driving and returns good fuel economy without trying too hard, but if the new driver is planning to travel further afield, the 1.2-litre adds a bit more power for weekend adventures when motorway driving might be needed.
Search Used Citroën C1Suzuki Ignis
- Insurance Group: 11 to 21
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 51 to 55.7
With its SUV styling and an all-wheel-drive option available, the Suzuki Ignis appeals to young drivers, offering a sense of freedom and fun while also looking like it belongs off-road, thanks to its growly front profile and rugged roof rails.
It features an ultra-lightweight design, which means it's light on fuel and easy to drive, while the AWD version and its higher ground clearance will appeal to those heading camping and summer festivals., giving that bit of extra traction across muddy fields.
The powertrain is perky and efficient thanks to mild hybrid technology, delivering enough performance for long journeys without being overpowered, which balances efficiency and power for reasonable insurance premiums.
Inside, you'll get plenty of space and comfort for friends, while it comes with standard equipment including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, a central infotainment system, and a rear-view camera, which new drivers will love.
Search Used Suzuki IgnisDacia Sandero
- Insurance Group: 3 to 14
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 44.8 to 53.3
There's not much wrong with the Dacia Sandero as a first car for young drivers. It's budget-friendly, falls into the low-insurance group, and can fit five friends and luggage. What's not to love?
None of the cars on the list are particularly fast, and the Sandero doesn't disappoint with its slow acceleration, but it's one of the most spacious on this list, fitting five reasonably sized adults in without too much squeezing. It also has decent boot space, which allows the five adults to go on weekend adventures without leaving their bags behind.
Recent generations have had a standard feature overhaul, with the top spec arriving with a central infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The Sandero may not be the coolest-looking car on the block, but if you overlook that, you'll get everything else you could want from a practical first car.
Search Used Dacia SanderoVolkswagen Polo
- Insurance Group: 1 to 12 (excluding GTI)
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 57.1 to 76.3
You don't need to be a car lover to understand that Volkswagen makes some of the best all-round passenger vehicles on the market.
While you may have your eye on the popular Golf, you may want to consider the Polo thanks to its similar styling, which offers an excellent build quality alongside those all-important low running costs.
Every Polo comes with an intuitive 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that boasts essential features such as Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio. You'll also get creature comforts, such as air conditioning and electric windows. Head up the range, and you'll start to get things like satellite navigation, parking sensors and an Active Info instrument cluster.
Because the Polo is a popular car, there is always a good selection available on the used-car market.
Search Used Volkswagen PoloSkoda Fabia
- Insurance Group: 1 to 20
- Official Miles Per Gallon (MPG): 47 to 55
Alongside the Dacia Sandero, the Skoda Fabia is another popular first car for young drivers that offers a bit more space than a traditional supermini. Like its smaller sibling, the Citigo, the Skoda Fabia has a strong reliability record while delivering on practicality. And it also looks pretty good on the road as well.
There are lots of powertrains available, but for young drivers the 1.0-litre MPI petrol is the one to focus on, as it sits in the lower insurance groups, and you can get a decent 55mpg out of it if you don't push it too hard. Aim for a trim above S, like the SE in older versions, where you'll get air con, rear parking sensors, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, as well as some styling features such as alloy wheels.
Inside, it has all the Fabia refinements, with enough space for five adults, and, in the newer fourth-generation Fabia, you get an 8.25-inch infotainment system as standard. There are lots of used Skoda Fabia models out on the market with plenty of trim options to suit every new driver's lifestyle.
Search Used Skoda FabiaFrequently asked questions
The best used car for a young driver is one with a low insurance group rating and is reliable. There are lots of choices, from popular cars like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo to the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia.
Alongside choosing a car that's in the lower insurance group, other practical ways of keeping insurance premiums low for young drivers are installing a black box (telematics), adding a parent or older sibling with a clean driving record to the insurance quote, completing an advanced driving course such as Pass Plus, and paying annually rather than monthly.
Yes, adding an experienced driver, such as a parent or older sibling, with a clean driving record to the insurance policy can sometimes help reduce insurance costs by lowering insurers' perceived risk.
Electric cars are more expensive to insure for new drivers because they have higher repair costs, are powerful and can accelerate quickly, and lack risk data for new drivers.
Discover your next car with Evans Halshaw
Head back 10 or 15 years, and affordable cars for younger drivers were often basic and underpowered, while lacking the refinement or equipment we expect today. These days, there is a wide range of affordable options for young drivers, with many cars offering a balance of budget pricing, excellent tech, and modern refinement.
If you’re a young driver looking for an affordable first car, the models above are a great place to start. Compare your favourites, check insurance costs, and shortlist the one that best fits your budget and lifestyle.
Ready to take the next step? Contact your local Evans Halshaw retailer, where our team can help you explore your options and find the right first car with confidence.
