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If you are a new driver, or you have a son or daughter who has just passed their driving test, a second hand car is a much better bet than a new one, however shiny and enticing they may look on the showroom floor, for their first vehicle. There are plenty of second hand cars on the market, and depending on your budget, there’s a wide range of choices. Two things to bear in mind when you are looking for a second hand car are a low insurance rate and a good safety rating. The internet makes this information far easier to find than it was in days gone by, thankfully.
Before you buy, you should do your homework, no matter what sort of car you are looking for. If you are a new driver purchasing the car for yourself, then take someone with more experience along when you go to look at a car. Some makes of secondhand cars are more reliable (or at least are perceived to be more reliable) than others; below is an overview of some cars that are generally seen as good bets.
The Age of the Car
When you are looking at second hand cars, experts advise it is best to go for something that is under ten years old, as anything older than that may not have all the requisite safety features. Many second hand cars these days do have fairly high safety ratings, and this is always a help when you want to insure the vehicle. Insurance companies will often give drivers a lower insurance rate on an older car that is noted for its safety features, so it’s recommended that you look for a 4-5 safety rating on the vehicle.
Makes of Second Hand Cars
A favourite first time car for new drivers is the Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta combines safety with a hint of style, and makes a great runaround for a new driver. The Fiesta is one of the cheapest cars to run and although it’s small, it does have a fair bit of room inside. Yet another good, secondhand choice is the Ford Ka, which is small and neat, and is cheap on fuel – and liked by insurers.
The Ford Focus is a hatchback, and second hand is generally more expensive than either the Fiesta or the Ka to buy. On the plus side, the Focus is seen as extremely reliable, and even cars that go back nine or ten years still have great safety features. Peugeot is another make that’s a favourite with first time buyers. The Peugeot 206 is neat, but not too small, easy to drive and not expensive to run, so it’s ideal for the new driver. The Renault Clio is another good starter car; it’s cheap to run, and insurance companies like them, which is always a plus.
This is just a brief overview of the kind of second hand cars that might be suited to new drivers on a tight budget; always make sure you have any second hand car checked thoroughly before buying, regardless of its reputation.
