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HPI Reveals Good-Value Used Cars for New Drivers

2 minutes
In Car Ownership, Car Buying Tips, Car Valuations, Buying & Selling, Valuations, Buying Advice, Advice and Tips

HPI Reveals Good-Value Used Cars for New Drivers

Buying your first car can be daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with the used car market. 

The key thing to remember when buying (or selling) a car is to always do your homework. If buying a used car privately, find out what you should be paying and do the necessary checks to find out how many keepers it has had, whether there is a mileage discrepancy, and whether it’s ever been stolen, involved in an accident, or even written off. It really does pay to be thorough. 

Experts on the HPI Valuations team have analysed comprehensive vehicle data on city cars and super-minis to create a suggested list of good-value used cars for new drivers. The values are based on what the dealer can expect to pay, so the retail buyer will pay more.  

Based on the criteria of four—to five-year-old cars with 50K miles on the clock, the HPI team recommends the following vehicles as a great value for money first car choice, all under £8,000. 

  1. Vauxhall Corsa (14-20) – £5,547 
  1. Citroen C1 (14-22) –  £5,718 
  1. Renault Clio (13-20) – £6,046 
  1. Vauxhall Adam (12-19) – £6,175 
  1. Fiat Panda (12 – ) – £6,185 
  1. Hyundai i10 (14-20) – £6,304 
  1. Peugeot 108  (14-23) – £6,384 
  1. Volkswagen UP (12-24) – £6,429 
  1. Fiat 500 (15 – ) –  £6,789 
  1. Kia Picanto (17- ) – £7404 
  1. Suzuki Swift (17 – ) – £7,561 
  1. Mazda 2 (14-20) – £7,858 

HPI offers a vehicle valuation service that allows motorists to buy and sell cars with confidence. It gives them an inside view of a vehicle’s total cost of ownership during its lifespan and provides depreciation figures.  

www.hpivaluations.com is aimed at people who are looking to buy and/or sell a car in the used car market and minimises the risks that can result in paying over the odds or not getting the best-asking price.  

Some further tips to keep in mind to ensure you make a smart purchase on your first car include: 

Set a Budget

  1. Consider more than the purchase price: Factor in ongoing costs like tax, insurance, fuel, servicing and maintenance. 
  1. Finance options: If you’re not paying cash, look at your financing options and the total cost of the loan. 
     
    Do your homework
  1. Look for models known for long term reliability 
  1. Some cars hold their value better than others, which may impact future resale. 
  1. Research the common issues or recalls related to the make and model you’re interested in. 
     
    Always check the vehicle’s history 
  1. Checking a car for any discrepancies such as mileage comes as standard with a trusted HPI Check. By building up the history of a vehicle’s mileage across multiple data sources and millions of records ensures any discrepancies are highlighted, arming car buyers with the information and confidence they need when considering buying a used car.  
  1. An HPI check will also verify the VIN number, provide a guide valuation and estimated fuel costs, and include an MOT history check.  
     
    Inspect the car 
  1. Check for rust, dents, paint mismatches, and uneven wear, which might indicate previous damage. 
  1. Look for interior wear and tear on seats, dashboard, and electronics. Check for any unusual smells like mould or burning. 
  1. Check the tyre tread and brake condition to avoid immediate replacement costs. 
  1. If you’re serious about buying a car but don’t know enough about them, have a trusted mechanic do an inspection beforehand. This can reveal hidden issues that may not be obvious during a test drive. 
     
    Take a test drive 
  1. Pay attention to how the car accelerates, brakes, and steers. Listen out for unusual noises. 
  2. Make sure the car is comfortable to drive and fits your needs (legroom, seating, visibility, etc.). 

Buying and owning your first car is an exciting milestone, but it can also be an overwhelming experience that could prove costly if you make a mistake. With HPI, getting a FREE car valuation couldn’t be easier. 

Just enter the car’s registration number and mileage, provide a few details about yourself and your car valuation is provided instantly. 

You can later upgrade to a premium valuation to get 3 more market values, a depreciation graph showing past and future values and a sum of annual running costs. 

Get your free HPI used car valuation today here 

And if you know which car you want to buy, get piece of mind with an HPI Check here