Buying Your First Car: What New Drivers Should Prioritise

25th Mar 2026

Buying your first car is exciting — but it’s also a moment where a few smart choices can save you a lot of money and hassle later. This guide covers what new drivers should prioritise so you end up with a car that’s easy to insure, affordable to run, and confidence-building to drive.

If you’re ready to start browsing, you can view our current stock here: Used Cars

1) Insurance group and running costs come first

For most new drivers, the biggest surprise isn’t the car price — it’s the insurance.

Before you fall in love with a car, check:

insurance group (lower is usually cheaper)
engine size/power (often affects premiums)
fuel economy
road tax (VED)

A car that’s slightly less “exciting” can be massively cheaper to own in year one.

2) Choose something you’ll feel confident driving

Confidence matters more than image. Look for:

a car you can park easily (good visibility, manageable size)
light steering and a smooth clutch (if manual)
predictable brakes
a calm, stable ride

If you’re nervous, you’ll enjoy driving far more in a car that feels “easy” from day one.

3) Prioritise safety features (even on older cars)

You don’t need the newest car to prioritise safety, but do look for:

multiple airbags
ABS (anti-lock brakes)
ESC/ESP (stability control) where available
ISOFIX points if you’ll carry younger siblings/children

Safety and confidence go hand in hand — especially in bad weather or on faster roads.

4) Service history matters more than mileage

A well-maintained car is usually a reliable car.

Look for:

consistent service history (stamps/invoices)
evidence of routine maintenance being kept up
a general “cared for” feel (tyres matched, clean fluids, tidy interior)

A higher-mileage car with great history can be a better buy than a low-mileage car with missing paperwork.

If you’d like to understand how servicing works once you own a car, our Service Packages page is a useful reference.

5) Do a proper test drive (and don’t rush it)

On a first-car test drive, you’re mainly looking for “normal and smooth”.

Check for:

no warning lights on the dash
the car starts easily and idles smoothly
steering is straight (no pulling)
brakes are smooth (no grinding or judder)
no strange knocks over bumps

If anything feels off, walk away — there are always other cars.

6) Plan for maintenance: tyres, brakes, and the next MOT

Even reliable first cars need basic upkeep.

Budget for:

tyres (especially if the car has larger wheels)
brakes (pads/discs)
wipers, bulbs, fluids

And if your car is 3+ years old, remember it’ll need an MOT each year. You can read more about our MOT and servicing packages here.

7) If you can’t find the right car, don’t settle

If the perfect first car isn’t in stock today, you don’t have to compromise. At Blackhurst, we offer a vehicle sourcing option via our Vehicle Locator service.

This can be ideal if you have a very specific wish list (budget, body style, fuel type, gearbox, colour).

Ready to start looking?

Start by browsing our current Used Cars, and if you’d like help narrowing it down to sensible first-car options, you can contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What’s the most important thing to check as a new driver?
Usually insurance cost — check the insurance group and get quotes on the exact car before you commit.

2) Is service history really more important than mileage?
Often, yes. A well-maintained higher-mileage car can be a safer bet than a lower-mileage car with missing or patchy history.

3) What safety features should I prioritise on a first car?
Look for ABS, multiple airbags, and ideally ESC/ESP; ISOFIX is useful if you’ll carry younger children.

4) What should I look for on a first-car test drive?
A smooth start, no warning lights, straight steering, smooth braking, and no odd noises over bumps — anything that feels “off” is a reason to walk away.

5) What if I can’t find the right car in stock?
Use a sourcing service like our Vehicle Locator — it’s ideal if you have a specific budget, gearbox, fuel type or body style in mind.