Passing your driving test means that it's time to start looking for your first car. Some people are handed down a car from a parent or someone else, but many others have to look for a new car to buy. Whether it's brand new or second-hand, you're most likely looking for a little runaround that will get you where you need to go, is cheap to maintain, and is easy to handle.

Choosing a First Car

When you're looking for your first car, either as a teenager or someone a little older, you need to know what your requirements are. You've spent months taking lessons and testing yourself with a free car theory test again and again so that you could get your licence, and now you have to find the perfect car. One thing that every new driver might want to consider is keeping insurance costs down, and that means choosing an affordable vehicle.

SEAT Mii

If you're looking for an electric city car for your first car, the SEAT Mii is an excellent choice. It's also comparable to a couple of other options from the VW group, the Volkswagen up! and the Skoda Citigo. These cars are cheap to run, keeping insurance costs low too, but they're still safe and efficient. The Mii is a compact car, which makes it excellent for driving around the city. Buying it as an electric car means you're saving the planet too.

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a car that has a sporty look but is still a sensible vehicle to drive. It's a small car but has plenty of features that you might find in a larger car, from USB inputs and touchscreen infotainment to hill start assist. There's a choice of two petrol engines, a 66bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder or an 83bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder. The larger engine doesn't offer much improvement, so you can save money by sticking with the smaller option.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is something of a classic when it comes to first cars. It's the best-selling car in the country, making it easy to pick up an affordable second-hand Fiesta. It has lots of great safety features, including the MyKey system that allows the car's maximum speed to be restricted. It also has lots of technology inside, and it's a roomy car too. While the diesel model uses less fuel, the petrol model is cheaper and could get you more affordable insurance.

Hyundai i10

This sensible car offers 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines, with the smaller engine being more than enough for your first car. It's a slightly larger option than some other possibilities for first cars, without being too big. This gives it an advantage when you're trying to build confidence on the road, ensuring you still feel comfortable at higher speeds and when you get onto the motorway. It has plenty of tech and great features, too, from Bluetooth to a touchscreen sat-nav.

The best first car is one that will help you to feel comfortable on the road, meeting your needs but making it easy to continue to improve your driving.