Each year, hundreds of thousands of newly qualified motorists embark on purchasing their first vehicle, grappling with the task of finding something both affordable and dependable. As living costs continue to climb, selecting a motor that's economical to insure, operate and service has become crucial.

To assist, specialists at automotive marketplace ChooseMyCar.com have pinpointed six vehicles particularly well-suited to novice drivers. Second-hand prices for the motors listed below span from £1,000 to £6,000.

ChooseMyCar.com explained that it assembled the selection using standards designed specifically with new motorists in mind. The vehicles chosen provide robust safety credentials, reasonable insurance and maintenance expenses, plus readily available replacement components.

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Safety represents a critical consideration when purchasing a vehicle, particularly for younger people just starting their driving journey. All the motors featured perform strongly on the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the body responsible for evaluating vehicles regarding collision protection and accident prevention systems; ratings are given out of five stars.

On the used car market, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Renault Clio models from 2009 onwards top the rankings with five-star Euro NCAP assessments. The 2007-2025 Fiat 500 achieves four stars, while earlier Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto versions score three.

That said, the newest generation from 2019 onwards includes technological safety features like automatic emergency braking - meaning if finances stretch to a pricier model, it could prove the wiser choice. Insurance represents another significant expense that novice drivers must contend with, typically costing between £1,000 to £2,000 or more annually for those just starting out.

However, there are strategies to bring these costs down, such as opting for a telematics policy, including seasoned motorists (like parents) on your cover, and selecting a vehicle in insurance groups 1 to 10, which offer the most budget-friendly premiums for younger drivers. Every motor mentioned above sits within this bracket.

Fuel expenditure relates to how efficiently the vehicle consumes petrol; the majority of motors on our list deliver excellent economy, achieving around 50 miles per gallon (MPG) or better. This is widely regarded as cost-effective, ensuring that running costs remain reasonable for those on tighter budgets.

Maintenance for certain vehicles proves more straightforward than others, particularly the Hyundai i10, which has earned recognition for producing compact motors that are exceptionally dependable with uncomplicated mechanics and readily available components, helping to maintain affordable servicing and repair bills. This applies equally to models like the Kia Picanto, Volkswagen Polo, and Skoda Fabia. Whilst Fiat 500 and Renault Clio components can be more challenging to source depending on the vehicle's age, they still qualify as budget-friendly when it comes to maintenance costs.

Nick Zapolski, motoring specialist and founder of ChooseMyCar.com, explained that purchasing a vehicle as a first-time buyer can feel daunting: "Due to increasing costs in every corner of people's lives, budget is extremely important when it comes to making a car-buying choice. This is especially true for new drivers, who may be young. Their budget may not allow them to buy the newest car, so finding a car that is second-hand but still performs well in every area, such as safety, fuel economy, insurance and reliability, can be a real challenge.

"With so many models, fuel types and features on the market, it's hard to know what car is best for you, and your budget. To make this easier for first time buyers, we've compiled a list of cars that perform well across all these areas, making them suitable for new drivers."