What makes the best car for a learner driver?

20/12/11

Hurrah! You’ve just passed your test. Congratulations. So, the top of your agenda must be to get your first car, right? Well, before you rush to the forecourt or start browsing online, it’s important to understand what you should be looking for, and what you should be avoiding.

Unless you’ve been saving up since you first heard the word ‘car’, it’s likely you won’t be picking a Rolls for your motor debut. Used or second hand cars are a good option – not only because they’re cheap, but also because people are less likely to steal them. You don’t want your first few months on the road suddenly halted because your car has been twocked.

Insurance can be a nightmare for first time car owners, particularly if you’re young. Use car insurance comparison sites to find a good deal, and do your research on which group your car will be in. Car insurance groups have a massive weight on the price of insurance, so if you want to keep your costs down, go for a car between groups one and five.

Going for a car with a strong NCAP rating is also a good idea. The Euro NCAP publishes safety reports on new cars, and awards 'star ratings' based on the performance of the vehicles in a variety of crash tests, and you should look for a star rating of between five and three for your first car.

There are also more practical considerations to bear in mind when buying your first car. You should consider how easy the handling is of the car – until you’re used to driving, and driving regularly, don’t make things difficult for yourself. Test drives will establish how you feel with the car, but if you’re buying a used or second hand car you can also ask the current owner their opinion. The car should also be reliable; however this is a less measurable factor until you’ve actually used it. Honest sellers should tell you it’s full history though.

Airbags are also a key ingredient when looking for your first car. We’re not suggesting you’ll be racing around the village or crashing into things, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Once you’ve purchased your car, have them checked. One in five drivers are involved in a crash during their first year on the road, so it’s best to be protected.

Finally, when you’re looking at the cars for sale, always check the visibility out of all of the windows. Until you’ve a good few years on the road behind you, you can be a bit more relaxed, however initially you should make things as easy as possible for yourself. If you’re buying a car online, and the photos aren’t perhaps as clear as you like, just ask the seller about these important factors.