Lewis Shaw
*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Autotrader.co.uk*
Choosing a car as a young driver is a minefield. Budget is an issue, and steep insurance costs can often cost as much or more than the car itself.
It’s all a bit daunting especially given that you’ve already had to foot the bill to learn to drive.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has found that half of young men badly injured or killed in car accidents were driving a vehicle that was more than a decade old. It’s led to the IAM to urge youngsters to buy the most recent and modern car they can afford to be as safe as possible.
Easier said than done perhaps when there is a specific low budget involved, but it is possible. Especially if you consider the car hunt an important part of your learning process. The trick is to pass your theory test as swiftly as possible – saving money for that car with free online resources – and then use the time spent swotting up for that test on familiarising yourself with what is available. The good news is that there are good options in the sub-£2,000 market.
A couple of things to consider:
Insurance group – look for group three or under.
New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) – a safety rating system. Look for ideally four stars and don’t accept less than three even for an older car.
The cars:
The Fiesta is a great choice and, because it has sold in huge numbers over the years, there are plenty around. Choose from three or five door variants and a wide engine line-up including diesel.
They’re great fun to drive, practical and are among the least expensive cars to run and insure.
- Ford Focus
The next size up from the Fiesta, the Focus is another sound option. Again, millions have been sold so there should be some choice in the £2,000 range. There are various engine options and three and five door body styles along with low insurance and running costs.
- Vauxhall Corsa
Like the Ford Fiesta, the Corsa has sold in huge numbers and is a popular car for its practicality, drivability, reasonable running costs and low-ish insurance. There are three and five door versions, and plenty of engine options including diesel.
- Peugeot 206
A very popular car so there should be plenty around in the £2,000 price range, the small Peugeot is worth considering. Running costs and insurance are reasonable, and there are various models and engine options to choose from.
- Honda Jazz
In the £2,000 price range, durability is a key factor as the car you’ll be buying is inevitably going to be more than a few years old. Hondas are very well built, reliable and good to drive. The Jazz is a fine choice – especially if you’d like a bit more room than many other superminis provide.
Insurance may be a bit steeper than the more high volume makes such as Ford and Vauxhall, but it’s likely a well cared for Jazz will prove reliable.
Start shopping
To get some ideas and a feel for what your £2,000 will buy you – take a look here for all makes of used car. Approach this task with the same care you gave your theory and practical tests and you’ll soon be on the road with a bargain motor that is super-reliable.
