‘I’m a used vehicle expert and this is the best small car for new drivers’

Purchasing a used car as a first vehicle can be a daunting task for many customers, as it often comes with high insurance costs for inexperienced drivers. To keep those costs dwn, it’s useful to choose a car with a small engine, low power output, and compact size.

However, with the rising cost of living and increasing prices in the second-hand car market, it can be challenging to determine which car to buy, even with a relatively substantial budget of £7,000.

One motorist faced this exact dilemma and sought advice from AutoExpress on the best car to purchase within this price range. Motoring expert Ryan Birch responded that the ideal car depends on individual preferences.

While he recommended the Seat Mii, Renault Twingo, and Citroen C1, he emphasized the practicality of the Spanish Mii reports the Mirror.

He said: “From behind the wheel, the Mii is hard to beat. It shares a platform with the Volkswagen up! so the handling is crisp and it’s surprisingly enjoyable to drive.”

Ryan added: “The Mii is also surprisingly spacious, with more accommodating rear seats than the Citroen and a respectable 251-litre boot.

“Lower-spec SE models are equipped with alloy wheels, electric front windows, air-conditioning and a leather steering wheel as standard. A DAB radio can also be specified, along with a dashboard-mounted navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity.”

While the Mii was the practical option, Ryan also considered the Renault Twingo, praising its good turning circle, robust interior, and generous rear seat space.

In comparison, the Citroen C1 received high marks for its distinctive appearance, affordability, and ease of driving.

However, Ryan noted: “Citroen offers a variety of coloured panels and trims to add a dash of personalisation to the cabin of its city car.

“However, material quality isn’t up to the best in the class, and the layout of the controls isn’t as intuitive as the SEAT’s interior.”

This isn’t the first time French cars have been recommended as good first cars.

The Daily Express’ Christopher Sharp previously recommended another French car, the Renault Clio.

Writing in 2023, Christopher explained that the Clio’s practicality and excellent visibility made it ideal for new drivers getting accustomed to Britain’s roads.

In the Daily Express, he wrote: “The little Clio has a high rear end and a wide boot aperture. What this means is that it’s easy to get big things in and out of it.

“The car was so capacious and the boot aperture so square that it had more carrying capacity than some SUVs at the time. Two of the most important elements of choosing a car for a new driver is that it must be comfortable and easy to drive.

“With soft suspension and light controls, the Clio had these in spades. Despite its 1.2 litre engine, it was an able motorway cruiser with impressive economy for the engine’s diminutive size.”