Top 10 cars under £5000 for young drivers in the UK

The UK. Not the best place to be if you’re a young car enthusiast. Fuel prices are not amazing, only lately coming down to under a pound a litre and about 101.9 on average in london, and insurance makes you think twice. With that in mind you also have to keep an eye out on road TAX. So without further question here is my top 10 cars under £5000 for teenagers in the UK.

The Rover 25

£2400

2005
55’000 miles
1.4L Petrol

Thats affordable considering the looks and what condition you could buy one of these at for this money. Very economical little car with could give you a return of 40mpg. Very good to your pocket and the enviroment. You can’t fault this little rover.

The Rover Mini

£4950

1995
36’000
1.3L Petrol

Talking of Rovers. These little classic bundle of joy made history and today they get more looks than your average Vauxhall Crosa. Vauxhall have it all wrong with their head turning adverts. THIS is the real head turner. Its proven itself in the domestic market as well as on the track and dirt. Even celebrities still drive the mini today like Moog. If you pick up the right spanners you could chop everyone and earn extra street cred.

The Seat Ibiza

£3’500

2009
36’000
1.4L petrol
84 BHP

This car is for 2 people. Chavs and wanna be race car drivers. It may look cool and sporty but the 1.6 Diesel Audi will overtake you with ease. However it is a nice place to be in and you will never get bored inside one of these. It drives nicely in a city so this is not too bad of an option if you’re looking for cheep insurance and something you can practice driving in for a year or two.

The Hyundai Cupe

£3’600

2008
60000
1.6L Petrol
103 BHP

Richard Hammond got one of these in a challenge on once so called Top Gear. It was actually a decent choice, until he made the decision to add some Uncle Ben’s to the recipe. Surprisingly the insurance is lower than what you might expect. Look long enough online and you’ll definitely find a really good condition Coupe. You won’t be unhappy with this choice.

The Suzuki Swift

£3’500

2008
50’000
1.6L Petrol
123 BHP

This beast is used for experiences on the Nurburgring. Sporty and stylish, the swift even starts to red line at a whopping 7’000 rpm. The little 1.6 packs some punch with its 123 bhp. The only down side is that insurance on some models is expensive.

The Renault Clio

£3500

2010
25000
1.2L Petrol
100BHP

Hear me out. This car might not look amazing but it will do you 50mpg and had 100BHP. You have the power when you need it. 6 years old with 25000 miles on the clock? Its depreciated like a Mulsanne but only you will benefit because you’re buying a car with amazing value and low maintenance cost. Amazing first car.

The BMW 1 Series

£4599

2008
49000
1.6L Petrol
122BHP

Do I have to say much?
A BMW, rear wheel drive and a massive grin on your face. Definitely worth the price tag although if you find a 1.8 for the same money and condition i say go for it. Also BMW’s sell easy. I considered this car as my first car however we have a history of Mercs and I’m not a traitor. Sorry BMW

The Citroen C4

£3’600

2009
40’000
1.6L Petrol
118 BHP

Character is its middle name. Sebastian Leob helped design this little car and decided to inspire the future Civic with its annoying spoiler shape that just doesn’t make sense. But we low key love/hate it. The steering wheel has an interesting design. the centre is always in the sae position looking quite futuristic and definitely different form any other car that you’ll sit behind the wheel of. You’ll never come across a car this confused. Why number 3? Ride quality, its confused about its sex and you’ll never own a car this unique in its own way.

The Ford Focus

£3500

2008
40’000
1.6 Petrol
99bhp

Hard to say anything good about the focus with the exception of its chassis. Its not flash, its not quick, its not something you can brag about. Even my mother has one. This is exactly what insurance want to see. Its actually not that bad of a car. It has decent space and will get you from A to B with ease. No-one will give you a second look if you scrape your alloys. Its a car that sells easy and is cheep. A temporary car that is ideal for a driver that just passed.

The Volvo C30/V50 R Design

£4500

2008
53000
1.8L Petrol
125 BHP

I know I’m bias and everything but hear me out. I own a Volvo C30 1.8 R Design. It is by far the most prettiest car i have seen anyone my age drive, It has so many safety features, leather seats and a spoiler on a front wheel drive. Laugh all you want but when I was was on the autobahn doing 120mph, I felt that tiny bit safer having extra wright being pushed on the back. Im so happy with this car that i think instead of getting a R type civic i think a T5 C30 is next. If its not the sporty looks you’re after then consider the bigger V50 which just like the C30 sits on the famous Focus Chasis.

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Comments

Brandon Herrera

A girl I used to talk to in school, came from the UK and told me she drove a Rover 25 over there. She was like, I know you’ve never heard of it. I said, yup I know thanks to top gear. Damn she was hot

02/19/2016 - 04:29 |
1 | 0
Mark Mason

I. Need. To. Relocate.

02/19/2016 - 04:37 |
0 | 0
biltema rägger

I recommend a 240 as first car

02/19/2016 - 06:55 |
0 | 0
SaabFanatic

Why are cars in UK under powered?

02/19/2016 - 07:20 |
0 | 0
J Bennett

I really question the choice of the 1 series and the c30 on this list, when I was researching my first car the insurance for the former was just under £5k, which considering I live in a low cost insurance area would be massively higher in the city, the same goes for the c30, other than that its a pretty solid list :)

02/19/2016 - 09:37 |
1 | 0

thanks :)

i pay 2k for insurance on c30

02/19/2016 - 10:33 |
0 | 0
Rendi Retnandito

I choose swift, due to its reliability

02/19/2016 - 11:22 |
0 | 0
Mohamed Abdul

When I get back to the UK, a one series is my first car which is a loan from my dad 😂

02/19/2016 - 13:22 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I have a swift insurance is 3,500£ a year

02/19/2016 - 14:08 |
0 | 0
ben 1

why would you ever want a rover 25 ?
the ultimate head gasket killer that btw is more like 500 pound to buy

02/19/2016 - 14:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

just wondering, who the hell spends £5000 on their first car, assuming you are a teenager maximum 3 years driving £5000 is alot of money to spend on a car. my car cost £1500 and will do me until im 21 when i upgrade. trust me, spending £5000 on a car before you are 20 is a waste of money, stick to cars under £2000

02/19/2016 - 15:02 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I beg to differ

02/20/2016 - 11:46 |
0 | 0

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