Buying Used - Best Used Cars For Teens - Buying Guide

When buying a used car for a teen, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Safety is paramount for a young driver starting out. Seek out a car with a high safety rating (checking out rightcar.govt.nz can help) and ensure any potential purchase has all the vital safety features. These include multiple air bags (not just two up front), ABS (helps maintain steering during panic braking) and electronic stability control is a must too; it greatly reduces the possibility of your novice driver losing complete control in trying conditions. If your budget allows, newer cars will also have more active safety features like lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking (great for preventing nose to tail accidents in traffic).

It’s important to stick to your budget, and this includes insurance costs. It pays to check out quotes online for a potential purchase before buying to avoid any nasty surprises. 

Have a budget for maintenance; regular servicing will ensure reliability and longevity. And never buy cheap or second hand tyres for your teen’s car, quality rubber is key.

Look for cars with good fuel economy to save on running costs. Smaller engines and hybrid models will be more fuel-efficient and cheaper to run. Also, a smaller car is simply easier to drive for someone just starting out. They are easier to park and manage in traffic, yet still practical and modern small cars are still regarded as safe. 

As a general rule, Japanese brands tend to be more reliable, and are cheaper to repair and maintain than European brands. Buy the newest vehicle your budget will allow to ensure you are getting the best advancements in safety and fuel efficiency. 

The Toyota Corolla has been many a teen’s first car, and for good reason. They are a safe bet in terms of reliability and running costs, while newer models have all the right safety credentials too including active driver aids like automatic braking and lane keeping.  

Depending on your budget, hybrid options are available and these are both reliable and extremely fuel efficient. And easy enough to maintain too.

Check the safety specs on some Japanese import models; they don’t always have the same items as those models that were sold new NZ. 

The Corolla can command a premium over similar hatchback models given their dependable reputation, but they also hold their value well. They are also available in other body styles too including a sedan and wagon. 

For those wanting something a little smaller, the Suzuki Swift is a good pick. It’s also more affordable, and there are so many to choose from in the used market. 

Swift offers excellent fuel efficiency, making it a cost-effective option for daily commuting. Some models come with hybrid technology, further enhancing fuel economy. Suzuki has a reputation for building reliable vehicles, and the Swift is no exception.

Its small size makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and to park.

The Swift Sport is also a good choice for those wanting something a little more interesting. This has entertaining handling, but it’s not over powered, so not something your teen will get into too much trouble with. There are also plenty of manual transmission options with this model; if your teen is busy changing gears, hopefully they are too busy to be tempted by their phone.