Used Small Cars

Chutney

Chutney

Well-known member
Daughter passed her test this morning, told her months back that when that happened I'd get her a car as an 18th birthday present, so I guess it's time to make good on the offer.

Any pointers - basic criteria are as follows...

- Want to spend < 5k, and as it'll need insuring, < 4k for the vehicle itself might be a better guide
- Nice and small - VW Up, Citroen C1 type dimensions

Not fussed about age and mileage, but nothing too ancient (music limited to a tape deck will not be appreciated). I drive a Honda so couldn't give a stuff about mileage, but not sure how safe it is to be so flippant about that with other makes.

Cheers in advance...
 
All cars are relatively good these days, and the second hand car market is quite expensive, I would say, look at cars that are popular and parts are relatively easy to find and on the cheaper side of things.
 
Ford Ka.
Vauxhall Corsa
Toyota Aygo or Yaris

You might even be able to pick up a cool little Fiat 500, like this random one on autotrader:

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dont go for a corsa or fiesta, loads get nicked and/or stripped at the road side

Suzuki swift is a good car but the 1.3 might price you out on insurance and maintenance costs are a bit higher (but less likely to breakdown in the first place)

the c1/106/aygo are all the same car really... just different badge

avoid any vw... insurance will have your eyes out

500s are ok but electrics can be iffy

mini will cost a fortune (1.5 engine is too big for a new driver too)

Hyundai i10 is a good car... Kia Picanto is too and you might get a bit of manufacturer warranty left also.
 
Doubt you will get insurance for <£1k even with tracker device. I used auto trader and filtered sub 50k miles and within 20 miles for small hatchback. Then I suppose its pot luck. I bought a 60 plate clio for one daughter 3 yrs ago for £2.2k and 60 plate citroen C1 for £1850 2 yrs ago for other daughter. Both have been spot on cheap motoring for them. Bought from garages. Best of luck
 
NorthumberlandBoro said:
Congratulations, it's a great moment in life.
(You'll be in tears when you get the insurance quotes though).
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I got some quotes in anticipation of her passing a few weeks back, based on a C1. Actually not as bad as I feared - <£900 with a black box. A few tricks like adding myself as a second driver, aiming to start insurance 23 days after the production of the quote etc seemed to have an unreasonably positive impact on the cost.
 
Chutney said:
I got some quotes in anticipation of her passing a few weeks back, based on a C1. Actually not as bad as I feared - <£900 with a black box. A few tricks like adding myself as a second driver, aiming to start insurance 23 days after the production of the quote etc seemed to have an unreasonably positive impact on the cost.
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That is a big point chutney. The first year I thought if I added me and mam to the insurance it would make it more expensive but it brought it way down.
 
My mother in law has a Renault Captur(2016) and it is a lovely car to drive she has had it a few years now and hasn't had any problems with it(I'm not sure on the price but I would think you could pick one up for around that price). I think it's only £30 a year road tax also. She has the 1.5 diesel.
 
Yaris - always come out well on "City Car" reviews.

I had one on hire many years ago and he was fine, except the boot is very small.
 
Another vote for the Skoda Citigo. My manual version went for 90k miles without a problem, and my wife's automatic is great.
 
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