‘An absolute bargain’ – driving expert reveals three best cars to buy for under £3,000… they’re cheap to run & insure
A DRIVING expert has revealed three of the best cars new drivers can buy for under £3,000.
Oli Moran shared the advice on TikTok, taking into account up-front price, reliability and fuel economy.
VW Polo
The Polo is one of VW’s most popular models and is beloved as a cheap and cheerful city car that is comfortable and reliable.
A 2008 version with 72,000 miles on the clock comes in well under budget at £2,495, while a 2010 version can be had for £2,995.
The 1.2-litre engine is the best bet here as it will get you the most up-to-date and lowest mileage examples that you can find for less than £3,000.
And if you have a bit more to spend, a 2016 Polo can be had for under £5,000.
Oli said: “It’s great on fuel and insurance costs are really low.
“These cars are great looking, really good to drive and come with that German reliability.”
Eight tips to save hundreds on car insurance
According to SheTalksCars
- Buy in advance – 23 to 26 days before you need cover is the sweet spot
- Add a named driver – even a learner can knock money off
- Try different parking places – a garage isn’t always cheaper
- Choose the right job title – make sure they are always accurate
- Shop around – comparison websites are your friend
- Pick a multi-car policy – share it with others in your household
- Add your licence number
- Pay annually rather than monthly – save yourself interest payments
Vauxhall Corsa
Described by Oli as a “great little car” the Corsa is generally a little more affordable than the Polo while still bringing the size, performance and looks that any new driver would likely be happy with.
You can grab a 2012 example with 85,000 miles on it for £2,690 and can even find some 2013/14 models floating around for under the budget.
A £5,000 limit will fetch you even better too, with a 2018 Corsa available for £4,990 online.
They’re also pretty cheap to insure and run which is a big plus for younger Brits.
Ford Fiesta
Finally, Oli recommended the Ford Fiesta, which topped UK best-selling lists every year from 2009 to 2020.
Ford was selling over 100,000 Fiestas in this country alone well into the 2010s, after a peak of over 153,000 in 1987.
As such, the Fiesta has garnered a reputation for reliability and the fact they are so common makes them quite cheap to buy.
Oli said: “Insurance is so so cheap.
“More importantly it sips fuel, so fuel economy is great.”
A 1-litre 2015 Fiesta can be snapped up for £2,395 and you can nab a 2017 model for under £5,000.
The only thing to watch out for when getting a cheaper Fiesta is that the model’s Ecoboost engine has run into some issues with overheating in the past.
Ford recalled a “small percentage” of Fiestas made between 2011 and 2013 and issued some customers refunds as a result so it’s best to aim for models after that period, which should fit well within the budget.