While the advent of mobile phones and social media may have slightly dimmed the teenage thrill of getting on the road and its associated independence, there's still no denying that passing your driving test is a rite of passage for many young people. But just passing the test is only the beginning – you'll need a car to drive, and that's where an already pricey venture can get really expensive.
What car that should be is defined by a unique set of criteria for a new driver – chief among these typically being that it is cheap to buy and inexpensive to run. That inevitably points to small cars and, in particular, cars with a low insurance rating. Getting cover will be one of the most painful aspects of this entire enterprise, but at the same time, building a no-claims bonus at the completion of an incident-free year is crucial for lower premiums in the future.
For parents, safety is likely to be a high priority as well, particularly given the statistical likelihood of a young driver having some sort of altercation in the early miles of their driving career. However, it is worth remembering that even small cars of the recent past are vastly safer than the small cars they may have driven in their youth.
Here are some options to get you started…
Best new choice – Skoda Fabia (from £20,000)
If you're buying new, this is the best combination of features in a small car you can get. The latest Fabia is a stylish, practical, comfortable car judged by any criteria, and won't feel like a compromise even in the one-liter SE spec that triggers that all-important low insurance rating. As such, it's not a firework in a straight line, but that's probably just as well. Residual values stand up well, too, and its crisp design and quietly classy image should appeal to all in the family.
Fabulous Ford – 2017-23 Ford Fiesta (£3,500+)
For many of us, it is still unthinkable that the Ford Fiesta is no more. An inherent part of the British landscape, over eight generations the Fiesta has been everything from the driving school's workhorse to the pensioner's shopping wheels. The final version continued the recent tradition of Fiestas that drove beautifully – don't let the car's ubiquity blind you to the fact this was a class-leading car in many ways. There is an array of models and trim levels, but you'll need to seek out the ones with a low insurance rating; do so and you won't go far wrong.
Cheapest new car – Dacia Sandero (from £13,795)
The Sandero is one of the cheapest new cars on sale today. If that lowers expectations, it is worth remembering that it is based on the Renault Clio, and is an entirely competent car in its own right. This isn't an option that will thrill behind the wheel, or blind anyone with its style, but what it lacks in street cred it makes up for in plenty of space inside for five people, a generous boot and all the essentials on the equipment. list that any new driver will need. Dacia has built a reputation for fine, no-nonsense cars using tried-and-tested Renault bits, and the Sandero is no exception.
The mini adventure – R56 Mini 2006-13 (£1,000 upwards)
For style-conscious young drivers on a budget, the “mk2” Mini (known as the R56) is a really appealing choice. You'll need to look at the more basic models to keep the insurance group low, but any mk2 Mini is a really responsive, rewarding drive – much more so than any of the new options here. It is light on fuel, too, and there is the added reassurance that although getting on in age now, when new it gained a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Just remember, the Mini's BMW/Peugeot engines can have a number of problems, so given there is so much choice out there in the second-hand market, it pays to do your homework before any purchase.
Going EV? – Fiat 500 (from £25,000)
A new EV may be out of reach for most people's pockets, but if you are in the position to go electric, the 500 is the ideal first car. Fiat's last 500 was a runaway success, practically saving the company, and the new all-electric version offers a similar blend of cheeky style and affordability. It is available in two battery sizes, so if the standard 24kWh battery with its 92bhp and 118-mile range feels like it might be restrictive, there is a larger 42kWh battery with 116bhp and, more importantly, 193 miles of range. In terms of interior space, this isn't the most practical option, but it is a nippy, cheery thing that serves its purpose well.
