Passed. That single word is hugely powerful for many people. After all, after months – or even years for some – of practicing, the relief can feel almost overpowering! However, once you’ve passed, a whole new world of challenges open up. Critically, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find a car you can drive. And, as part of this, we’re looking at how to find the best car to drive after passing your test.
Whatever the case, if you decide to go down the used car route, always run a car history check first. This allows you to see whether the car has any hidden surprises, such as MOT fails or write-offs. In turn, by considering this information, you can make a more informed choice.
What to Look For From the Best Car to Drive After Passing Your Test
When selecting a car after just passing your test, there are several things you should look for. These may include the following points.
- Affordability. Look for a car that’s both cost-effective to buy and cheap to run. Many people will consider second-hand cars for this reason, as they have already depreciated in value.
- Comfort. Just after passing, you’ll likely want a car that’s comfortable to drive. This helps make driving easier and reduces distractions, therein making you feel safer on the road. After all, you’re still honing your skills, and driving without someone in the passenger seat’s a whole new experience.
- Technologies. Ideally, looking for a car with tech such as assisted parking may be helpful just after passing. Don’t forget, though – such cars may be more expensive to buy.
- Reliability. Don’t buy a used car if the model as a whole or the specific vehicle has a reputation for breaking. This will only increase costs, and it could also cause undue stress as a new driver.
Popular New Car Options You Could Consider
Thus far, we’ve looked at what the best car to drive after passing your test should look like. This doesn’t provide a direct answer, though. So, what is the best car to drive after passing your test?
Chances are, you’re looking for an idea of what sort of models to look for here. Fortunately, there are a handful of highly popular used car options you could consider.
One of the classic options for new driver cars is the Ford Fiesta. Indeed, this model is a small and easy to drive vehicle and has established itself well as a first car. What’s more, since it’s relatively small, it’s also easy and cheap, representing an excellent option for newly passed drivers.
Another classic just-passed car is the Volkswagen Polo, a model that really does tick most of the boxes. Not only is the car relatively affordable to purchase, but the Polo is also easy and cost-effective to run. This makes it a widely chosen new driver car. And, since it’s still in production, there’s a wide range of both new and older second-hand models to choose from.
Or, if budget alone is the most important factor for you (and you’re not as concerned about the tech), the Dacia Sandero might be ideal. This car is one of the cheapest models on the market brand-new. Naturally, this also applies to used cars, which depreciate quickly and become even more affordable. However, the Sandero doesn’t feature many bells and whistles; it’s a smart first car, but don’t expect lots of tech.
