Buying your first car under 5000

did you get your driver's licence? Then it's probably also time for a nice first car. Read in this article what to look for when buying a starter car up to 5000,- euro. 

The choice of a starter car is huge. Fortunately, most people already have a brand preference, which makes the choice a lot clearer. Buying your first car is more than just the price; insurance, road tax and maintenance also play a role. We have collected the most important information for you on the subject of buying your first car, so you can make a good decision and not be faced with any unpleasant surprises.

Find a nice first car

Finding a starter car is not something you do lightly. Take your time and do some good research on the model in question. Before you start looking for a specific model, it is a good idea to write down some of your requirements, so that you can focus your search. Then you can select a number of models based on your requirements. Of course, the budget is also an important factor in finding a first car. Most starters buy their first car under 5000 euro. And fortunately, there is more than enough supply for this budget. Here are some points you can use when finding a nice starters car:

• How often do you want to be in the car?
• How many kilometres do you drive a year?
• Do you often drive in city traffic or more often on the motorway?
• How much space is needed in the interior?
• What is the maximum you want to spend?

Small beginners car

Small cars are often recommended as cars for novice drivers. With good reason, because a small vehicle makes it easier to find a parking space, consumes less fuel and is usually cheaper to buy and maintain. However, if you want to transport a lot, it's better to drive an estate car with a not too thirsty engine. In addition, a small car is often less comfortable on the motorway, so if you often drive long distances, a small car is often less suitable as a starter car.

Safety

Older and cheap used cars usually have fewer safety features. However, most 10-year-old cars already have many safety features. These include ABS, ESP and airbags. Of course, a new car is often safer, but also more expensive to buy. A number of brands are known for being safer than average. These include Volvo, Renault and Smart. These brands have been scoring 5 stars in the NCAP safety tests.

Sporty beginner's car

A sporty beginner's car - sounds tempting. But it can be difficult to find spare parts for these cars and they are usually more expensive. In addition, these cars often have a tougher life behind them because they have often had sporty drivers. The consequences are higher workshop costs.

The running costs of a starter car

Not only does the purchase of your first car cost money, but also the running costs have to be paid. These include fuel costs, vehicle taxes and vehicle liability insurance. In addition, there are the maintenance costs, MOT and depreciation of your car. Depending on the make, model and fuel consumption, running costs are around 200 to 400 Euros per month.

For first-time drivers: used or new car?

Used cars are often a good choice for beginners. Minor damage, for example from careless parking or a rear-end collision, is easier to repair with a used car and less painful on the wallet. And the depreciation on a new car is high, making the first few years relatively expensive.

First car under 5000

The list below shows cars that are popular as starter cars:

• VW UP or Polo
• Opel Astra or Corsa
• Skoda Fabia / Citigo
• Citroen C1 / C2
• Toyota Yaris
• Renault Twingo
• Peugeot 108 / 107
• Seat Ibiza
• Ford Ka or Fiesta

Most of the above models can be found for under 5000 Euros.

Finally, we recommend our free car buying checklist download. This will ensure that you are well prepared and there is less chance of making a bad purchase.