Studying to drive could be a nerve-racking expertise. So, to maintain stress to a minimal, the most effective automobiles for learner drivers are these which might be simple to drive and park, low-cost to insure and reasonably priced to purchase and run. Used automobiles are a good selection for learners, too, as not solely do these characterize a number of the greatest bargains, however you’ll in all probability be a bit much less upset if it picks up a number of dents alongside the best way.
In fact, a brand-new automobile is tempting, so when you’ve handed your take a look at you possibly can all the time deal with your self to an improve. This implies you’ll have already constructed extra confidence on the street, lowering the chance of any prangs or mishaps.
Right here we have listed 10 of the most effective used automobiles for learner drivers. They’re all small sufficient to be manoeuvrable and straightforward to drive, will be discovered at cheap costs, and, maybe most significantly, sit in decrease insurance coverage teams.
In addition they have small, environment friendly petrol, diesel or hybrid engines, so whereas they is probably not the quickest automobiles, they make up for this by providing low working prices. Most petrol fashions on this listing will simply handle 40-50mpg. There’s additionally an all-electric possibility for learners who need to cut back their carbon footprint and working prices. Keep in mind, nonetheless, that for those who study to drive and take your driving take a look at in an computerized automobile, as all EVs are, you gained’t be capable of drive a handbook.
High 10 greatest automobiles for learner drivers
Learn on to search out the most effective used automobiles for learner drivers within the UK, listed in reverse order…
10. Fiat Panda (Mk3)
Whereas the petrol-powered Fiat 500 is a agency favorite with many new drivers, the Panda is an excellent better option for learners. Each automobiles share the identical underpinnings, however a tidy used Mk3 Panda can simply be discovered for beneath £4,000, making it a little bit of a cut price.
When Fiat launched the unique Panda in 1979, it was bought as a utilitarian automobile that was low-cost to purchase, low-cost to run and would fairly fortunately ferry round 5 passengers and their baggage. The Mk3 is a much more trendy automobile than its ancestor, however the primary precept stays the identical. It’s a no-frills metropolis automobile that ought to show simple to stay with and even simpler to drive.
You don’t must go with out the fundamentals, although, as choosing a Panda in Simple trim will get you comforts similar to air-conditioning, a six-speaker MP3 stereo system, and electrical home windows.
9. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (Mk3)
If you wish to hold your carbon footprint low however don’t want to go fully-electric, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid may show to be the proper half-way level.
Though there are additionally conventionally-fuelled variations of the Mk3, we’ve chosen the hybrid for this listing as earlier examples can now be discovered for beneath £8,000 and may return properly over 55mpg whereas emitting lower than 85g/km of CO2.
There are a number of several types of hybrid automobile, and because the Yaris is a full-hybrid – known as ‘self-charging’ by Toyota – It by no means wants plugging in. All you could fear about is filling it with petrol, one thing you shouldn’t must do fairly often. Regenerative braking mechanically places power again into the battery as you drive round, so it’s particularly efficient in city visitors. Toyota’s hybrid engines are additionally famend for his or her reliability.
8. Ford Focus (Mk3)
Though most learner drivers are likely to go for smaller fashions like metropolis automobiles or superminis, the Ford Focus is a good selection for individuals who want a bit extra space. The Mk3 Focus is obtainable as a hatchback or an property, each of that are family-friendly. Clear, low-mileage examples can now be discovered for lower than £4,000, and also you’ll even have the selection of petrol or diesel energy.
Must promote your automobile?
Discover your greatest provide from over 5,000+ sellers. It’s that simple.
Inside, all variants of the Mk3 Focus are fairly properly geared up. Choosing the Zetec trim will get you a number of helpful extras, although, together with Ford’s QuickClear windscreen tech – this will show notably helpful on chilly mornings. You’ll additionally get some sporty styling tweaks like alloy wheels.
In the event you’re hoping for a component of pleasure, the Focus is without doubt one of the higher automobiles to drive in its class. The scorching ST model is the choose of the efficiency crop, however insuring one in all these as a learner driver will nearly actually end in some alarmingly excessive premiums. Don’t fear, although, because the common variants nonetheless provide first rate efficiency and higher dealing with than a Volkswagen Golf.
7. Vauxhall Corsa (Mk4)
A agency favorite of driving colleges throughout the nation, the Mk4 Vauxhall Corsa provides an identical stage of high quality and practicality to the Mk6 Ford Fiesta. It’s not fairly as sharp because the Ford, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good to drive.
Customary tools is fairly beneficiant, too, and with the entry-level ‘Life’ trim being surprisingly uncommon, the chances are that you will see that a better-equipped Corsa that’s properly inside your finances. The Excite trim is especially plush with air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB digital radio, heated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel.
Additionally, identical to the Fiesta, there are a number of each petrol and diesel engines to select from. The overwhelming majority discover themselves in single-digit insurance coverage teams however, sadly, the better-performing turbocharged petrol items are greatest prevented, as these can push up the premiums by a substantial quantity.
6. Renault ZOE (Mk1)
With the UK set to ban petrol and diesel automobiles in 2035, many motorists are beginning to make the swap to electrical automobiles. If you wish to get a head begin, a used Renault ZOE could possibly be the perfect EV.
Earlier ZOEs can now be discovered on the second-hand marketplace for lower than £5,000. One factor to watch out of, although, is that plenty of these earlier ZOEs have a leased battery again, which implies you’ll have to pay a further month-to-month price. To keep away from this further cost, it is perhaps a greater thought to spend a bit extra on an instance with an owned battery.
Smaller 22kWh ZOEs are the commonest on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum. These automobiles possess a single 89bhp motor and ought to be good for a driving vary of round 100 miles realistically. In the event you’re planning on making frequent lengthy journeys then the ZOE won’t be the selection for you, however for shorter city journeys it could possibly be a strong purchase – particularly when you think about the financial savings on Automobile Excise Obligation (street tax) and low-emission zones.
5. Kia Picanto (Mk3)
The Mk3 Kia Picanto has been on sale since 2017, and used examples are beginning to drop in worth. This implies you gained’t have to look too far to discover a tempting finance deal on this metropolis automobile.
The Picanto’s primary trim ranges are a number of the best to know, too. In the event you exclude the particular editions, you merely have the selection of ranges 1, 2, or 3 – the upper the quantity, the upper the spec.
The entry-level Picanto 1 trim options electrical entrance home windows, distant central locking, a two-speaker stereo system and metal wheels. We’d advocate choosing the two, although, as this brings 14-inch alloys, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, air-con, powered rear home windows, Bluetooth and a four-speaker audio set-up.
4. Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 108 (Mk1)
Though they arrive from totally different producers, the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, and Peugeot 108 are all just about the identical automobile – the one noticeable distinction is their exterior styling. Whereas the mannequin you select will largely be down to cost and preferences, all three make an awesome selection for a learner on account of their sheer simplicity.
Compact, geared up with the necessities, and really low-cost to run – due to a frugal 1.0-litre engine that ought to simply return over 55mpg – there’s little to complain about if all you want is a reliable, no-frills set of wheels.
All three fashions are fairly secure, however make sure you store round as some used examples could have been fitted with non-obligatory energetic security options for added peace of thoughts.
3. Skoda Fabia (Mk3)
The Skoda Fabia is one other supermini that gives refinement, practicality and reliability – due to its confirmed underpinnings which might be shared with the Volkswagen Polo. The rationale why the Fabia makes this listing over the VW, although, is that it tends to promote for a lower cost, making it nice worth.
There are three petrol and one diesel engine to select from, and for those who aren’t too fussed about energy, the non-turbocharged 1.0 mpi petrol sits in insurance coverage group one with plenty of trim ranges. In the event you’re not pushing it too onerous, one other upside of this engine is gas economic system of greater than 55mpg.
With regards to trim ranges, the essential ‘S’ spec is just a little sparse in the case of tools, so we’d advocate choosing at the least ‘SE Drive’ as this contains some helpful additions similar to entrance fog lights and rear parking sensors.
2. Ford Fiesta (Mk6)
Whether or not you’ve been driving for days, weeks, or years, the Ford Fiesta has confirmed itself as an awesome all-rounder for generations – a lot in order that it typically topped the UK automobile gross sales charts earlier than being axed in 2023. It’s enjoyable to drive, sensible for its measurement, dependable, and fairly priced.
Our selection right here is the Mk6 Fiesta which was produced from 2008-2017, as these automobiles are presently sitting within the candy spot of low costs and trendy options. There’s additionally loads of selection on provide with a number of trim ranges and a variety of petrol and diesel engines available nationwide.
Discover a Fiesta Mk6 in Zetec trim and you’re going to get a good serving to of creature comforts; similar to electrical entrance home windows, distant central locking, a heated windscreen, air-conditioning and alloy wheels.
1. Volkswagen up!/Skoda Citigo/SEAT Mii
As a three-time winner of the Metropolis Automobile of the 12 months title at our New Automobile Awards, it’s no secret that we’re very keen on the Volkswagen up! – together with its sister automobiles, the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo. In truth, not solely is that this complete household of compact automobiles simple to manoeuvre and park, however they’re comfy and enjoyable to drive, too.
All three variations are plentiful on the used market, and they are often discovered for very cheap costs. Though there are electrical variations accessible, these command a lot greater costs so we advocate sticking with the peerlessly succesful 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol. This engine ought to simply ship over 50mpg, and it’s even a reasonably low polluter with CO2 emissions of 117g/km.
Issues get even higher in the case of insurance coverage. There may be at the least one variant of every mannequin residing in insurance coverage group 1, so this can assist to maintain these premiums beneath management.
One of the best automobiles for learner drivers
- Volkswagen up!/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo (Mk1)
- Ford Fiesta (Mk6)
- Skoda Fabia (Mk3)
- Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 108
- Kia Picanto (Mk3)
- Renault ZOE (Mk1)
- Vauxhall Corsa (Mk4)
- Ford Focus (Mk3)
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid (Mk3)
- Fiat Panda (Mk3)
Planning to purchase model new as a substitute? Take a look at our listing of the most effective first automobiles for brand new drivers…