Used Car Hunter: first cars for new drivers for under £10,000
Our Car Hunter has £10,000 to find a used car that’s easy to drive, cheap to run and suitable for a freshly-qualified driver
Dear Auto Express, I need to find a low-mileage, small hatchback with less than 100bhp as a first car for my son. What does £10k buy? - Henry Parker, E-mail
Few drives are as thrilling as your first. Passing your test and hitting the open road delivers a sense of freedom and excitement that’s difficult to match. Yet those first few steps are an expensive business. Not only is there the cost of the car to consider, but car insurance premiums and running costs also have to be taken into account.
However, look carefully and you’ll find a host of affordable small cars. For example, the Dacia Sandero was a bargain new and is even better value used. The Kia Rio offers a dash of style, is easy to drive and more recent examples will retain some of the brand’s famed seven-year warranty for ultimate peace of mind. And if driving fun is at the top of your wish list, the Ford Ka+ deserves serious consideration.
Here we take a closer look at three of the best used cars for a newly qualified driver with up to £10,000 to spend on their first set of wheels.
Dacia Sandero - the value choice
- For: Great value, eager performance, decent equipment
- Against: Not that stylish, low-rent cabin, short of rear room
You’d struggle to call the Dacia Sandero glamorous, but a facelift in 2017 brought new LED lights and subtly smoother lines to the second-generation model. On the move, it feels predictable rather than exciting to drive, but its soft suspension serves up a cushioned ride.
The Dacia’s thrummy turbocharged 0.9-litre petrol engine is the best here, with peppy performance and excellent economy – although in insurance group 10, it’s four higher than the Ford and Kia.
For less than £7,000 you can buy an 18-plate 0.9 TCe Laureate with under 30,000 miles. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a lower-spec model, these can be picked up for even less.
The Sandero’s budget roots are most obvious inside, where you’ll find lots of hard and scratchy plastics and a utilitarian design. On the other hand, it’s solidly constructed and logically laid out, while the high-set driving position is enhanced by soft, yet surprisingly supportive seats. Comfort trim adds luxuries such as air-con and a reversing camera, plus an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system that offers sat-nav as well as easy smartphone connectivity and music streaming. Taller back-seat passengers will be a little cramped, but the well shaped 320-litre boot rivals models from the class above for carrying capacity.
Kia Rio - the sensible choice
- For: Looks great, easy to drive, excellent warranty
- Against: Not fun to drive, limited infotainment, firm ride
The Mk4 Kia Rio helped the Korean firm take a big step upmarket, and its neat lines give it the most grown-up look here. Light controls make it the easiest to drive, even if there’s little fun to be had.
Still, the Kia is the most refined and relaxing car here despite having the firmest ride. Performance from its 1.25-litre engine is a little breathless, but it delivers an easy 45mpg and is mated to a slick five-speed manual.
We found a 17-plate car in 3 trim with 26,000 miles on the clock which could be yours for around £9,500.
As with the exterior, the Kia Rio’s interior looks and feels the most upmarket in this company, thanks to its slick, modern design and extremely solid build quality. The infotainment system is fairly basic, but at least there’s Bluetooth and USB connection for easy smartphone pairing. Air-conditioning is also included, as are automatic lights and a multifunction steering wheel. A wide range of seat and wheel adjustment makes it easy to get comfortable, while the rear bench is the roomiest here. At 325 litres, the boot is even larger than the Dacia’s, while a 60:40 split-fold back seat boosts versatility even further.
Ford Ka+ - the fun choice
- For: Fun driving experience, loads of kit, low running costs
- Against: Not as quick as rivals, boot is the smallest here
It’s easy to spot the Ford’s budget-car roots in its slightly ungainly styling. However, get the Ford Ka+ in the right trim and you’ll get racy additions like alloy wheels and front foglamps.
Based on the same chassis as the brilliant previous-generation Fiesta, the Ka+ has quick steering and agile handling, plus a surprisingly plush ride. And while the 1.25-litre petrol engine is down on power, it’s very frugal and mated to a crisp five-speed manual. We found a 17-plate 1.2 Studio with 45,000 miles for £6,300.
Climb aboard and it’s immediately clear that despite the Ka+ budget roots, Ford has given this small run-around all the kit you’re likely to use day-to-day including Bluetooth phone connectivity, cruise control, electric folding mirrors and windows.
A dated dashboard design means the cabin doesn’t look as upmarket as the Kia’s, but it’s robustly built and clearly laid out. The low- slung driving position is excellent, while the tall Ka+ almost matches the Rio for rear-seat space. Only the cramped 270-litre boot, with its high load lip, undermines the baby Ford’s practicality.
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