Top 10 Best First Cars Under £5,000

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Today, I’m running through my top picks for the best first cars you can buy for £5,000 or less. Whether you’re after reliability, style, or something fun to drive, there’s a great option out there for you. Let’s take a look!

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[robertohamar]

Young driver here, just passed the test in my Honda Jazz 1.4. Incredibly overlooked in the UK, for 4k mine has a pano roof, the seats fold completely flat for camping, and Honda's reliability. In Japan, people kit them with Mugen grills and spoilers, and although it's definitely not a hot-hatch, the 1.4 engine with the manual gearbox revs so sweetly, it's actually quite fun on A roads, compared to my mates fiestas and corsas.

[crankthisup]

Fiesta gen 6 is a great car but you should've told people to avoid the EcoBoost and Powershift versions.

[Nite-owl]

You know when you're old when first car budgets are under £5k. I gave £100 for my first car 😂

[miele]

I know in the uk a honda jazz has an old people image but for the first car buyer with a bit of intelligence you cant go wrong with one. The sip fuel and dont go wrong

[johnthomas]

Thanks for including the repair costs - always a good guide as someting will go wrong with an older car and you need to know more than the headline purchase price.

[mattwalker]

I'd probably include a Skoda Fabia. Cheap to insure same running gear as similar suggestions. Really reliable

[KWeddings]

Yes cars like Yaris, Swift and Mazda 2 are all very decent, reliable cars. My own drive is a Honda Jazz which looks similar size on the outside, is just as reliable and fuel efficient but is much more flexible in terms of interior space. A Honda Jazz has all the benefits of small car ownership but with the interior space of a mid sized car or larger.

[jonford]

I bought a Yaris 1.3 for my daughter to use. It's been fantastic, has been very well used and abused and has now done 100, 000 miles. Other than routine consumables the only thing it has needed is a replacment high level brake light, which wasn't expensive and took three minutes to fit. Fantastic value.

[has]

can u please make a similar video but for automatic-only cars under £10k?

[AndiGomez-yudx]

The Yaris is one of the most sensible choices when it comes to reliability. I drive a 2008 model with the 1.5L 1NZ-FE engine—one of Toyota’s most dependable engines ever made. Here in Thailand, where I own a Yaris/Vios, I can confidently say this car is bulletproof if you're looking for an affordable and hassle-free vehicle. It’s not just reliable but also incredibly easy to work on.

I've seen plenty of Yaris models across Asia with anywhere from 500, 000 to 800, 000 km on the clock, still running strong. The most common issues with these cars are water pump failures, worn engine mounts, and alternator problems. Additionally, as Matt mentioned, rust can be a concern in certain climates. However, with proper maintenance, these cars will keep going for years.

[davidcross]

Surprised you didn’t include the Up!, Citigo & Mii. Cheap to buy, tax & insure, fun to drive, built well, good eqpt, economical& ULEZ compliant.

[UnusSedLeo-wl]

As a Yaris P13-owner, I can only fully agree. Mine is high-spec Dynamic and it is quite loaded. Rust, indeed, is something to keep an eye out for. Make sure you presure wash the underside on a relugar basis, especially in Winter.

[thegrainofrice]

I went with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 Diesel, great fun to drive, looks amazing (especially with the tan interior), 50mpg, cheap tax. And so far very reliable!!! Highly recommend if you are after something a bit more unique

[Syp-kj]

Love the Suzuki, my family bought its sibling Ertiga (a stretched 7-seater version of swift) new in 2013 and I learned to drive in it. Still running 8 years and miles later while driven by a young teenager in dense urban city often stuck in traffic. Never missed a heartbeat in our ownership. We had the 4 speed auto and although old-fashioned, its still superior to automated-manuals you see on smaller cars.

[karolinamiosz-groncka]

Hi Matt.Few years ago my sister bought a 2009 WV Polo, 1.0 petrol engine. Up to now still runs smoothly. And it was her first car.

[itsjessicaokay]

I'd absolutely recommend my car to anyone as a first car. Kia Picanto 2011 (2nd Gen) 1.25 2 Ecodynamics. Zero tax (for now, at least), super low insurance group and the only jobs I've had to do on it have been maintenance (tyres, brakes, etc). It's not fancy but it's comfy, reliable and 1000 times better than getting a bus. Bought mine 3 years ago with 36000 on the clock for £5000.

[Sshaunyy]

I went for something very unique and got a Honda CR-Z. I picked one up for under £3000, constantly hits 50+ mpg, £25 yearly tax, has been absolutely faultless and gets lots of attention as it's a rather rare little gem!

[KipKippax]

I'm surprised the Honda Jazz/Fit is not on your list Matt ...

[Jonken]

I'm surprised you didn't include a Mazda 2 on your list. I have a 2017 model and the car is bulletproof, great to drive with low running costs.
In one of the latest videos from carwow the Mazda 2 was placed as one of the most reliable cars you can buy by warranty wise.
Noted that you didn't like the Mazda 2 you turned around from a few years back, but current model (soon to be discontinued) is an amazing little car. 1.5 skyactiv engine that'll give you 80 mpg on some runs.

[chrisd]

Great video thank you so much for making it. Not my first car but looking for a budget friendly one and this helped tremendously!