The Best First Cars in NZ: Our Guide for Beginners

While we’d all love our first car to be sleek, stylish and dazzling enough to impress our mates, in reality, the best first car is one that is super practical, super safe, and super fuel-efficient. It's wise to start strong! For a new driver, we recommend choosing a model that allows you to confidently build essential skills, before graduating to anything too fast, powerful, or complex.

The golden rule is to buy the most modern car you can afford. A car from 2017 is significantly safer than a car from 2007, even if they were both 5-star rated in their day.

• Top-tier safety: This is non-negotiable.

• Reliability: You want a car that starts every time, with parts that are easy to find and affordable.

• Low Running Costs: Think fuel efficiency (L/100km), and also the cost of registration, servicing, and tyres.

• Ease of Driving: A smaller car is generally easier to handle, park, and build confidence in.

This is the single most important factor. The hard fact is that drivers on a restricted licence are significantly more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than other drivers, especially in the first 6-12 months of driving solo.

Use the Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) and Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to understand a vehicle's safety. Thankfully all Trade Me Motors car listings show the vehicle safety rating. Aim for 5 stars.

Ratings alone aren't the full story. As a current buyer, your minimum checklist for any car should include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This is a life-saving technology that helps you maintain control in a skid. It was made mandatory for used imported passenger cars in NZ in 2015, and second to functioning safety belts, is the next most important safety feature to look for.

• Multiple Airbags: Aim for front, side, and curtain airbags.

You’ll be happy to learn that an affordable car can still be a safe car. The key is to look for models that have a proven track record. Ditch the idea of a $5,000 car with 3-star safety from 2007; for a similar or slightly larger budget, you can often find a 5-star car from 2014 or newer.

Here are some of the best first cars to hunt for:

These are popular for a reason: they are reliable, efficient, and parts are cheap and plentiful.

• Suzuki Swift: A Kiwi favourite. It's fun to drive, sips fuel, and is very reliable. Aim for a 2011-2017 model (it has a 5-star ANCAP rating) or a 2017+ model if the budget stretches, as it’s even safer and more modern.

• Toyota Yaris (or Vitz): The benchmark for reliability. It’s a "no-fuss" car that will run forever. Look for the generation from 2011-2020 to get that 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

• Mazda 2 (or Demio): Often more stylish than its rivals, the Mazda 2 is also great to drive. The generation from 2014 onwards has a 5-star ANCAP rating and 4-star UCSR rating.

• Honda Jazz (or Fit): Its "Magic Seats" give it a huge, versatile cargo area that no other small car can match. It’s practical, reliable, and easy to drive. Only 4 stars

• Toyota Corolla: It's one of the world's best-selling cars for a reason. It’s a step up in size from a Yaris but offers bulletproof reliability. A model from 2013-2018 is a fantastic, safe (5-star ANCAP rating / 4-star UCSR rating), and dependable first car.

For a modern first-time buyer, used hybrids are a smart, realistic choice.

• Toyota Aqua (or Prius C): As a used import, the Aqua is everywhere in NZ. It shares its platform with the Yaris, so it’s reliable, but offers incredible fuel economy (around 3.9L/100km). This will save you a fortune on running costs. It’s important to note however, that some models may attract higher insurance costs due to not having an immobiliser. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider before making a purchase, but it’s otherwise a great car.

• Nissan Leaf (Early Model): If you mainly drive around town and can charge at home, a first-generation (e.g., 2013-2017) Nissan Leaf is a game-changer. They are cheap to buy and cost next to nothing to run. Crucial check: You must get the battery "State of Health" (SOH) checked before buying.

These are just a handful of excellent options to consider in your search for the best first car. You might also consider a Volkswagen Golf for its solid build quality, or even a reliable, older small SUV like a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V if you need more space.

Once you’ve zoned in on your preferred choice, make sure to perform the following checks:

• Background Check: A background check comes as standard on a Trade Me Motors car listing and empowers you with knowledge on the vehicle history: stolen vehicle status, if it’s a damaged import, or has been re-registered.

• Money Owing Check: Ensure you’re not inheriting a car with a security interest and money owing. That would be an awful start for a first-time car owner!

• Pre-purchase Car Inspection: We strongly advise getting an independent mechanical inspection of any used car. This will flag any potential causes for concern and help ensure you don’t buy a lemon.

• Look at the WoF: It’s also important to check that the WoF (Warrant of Fitness) has plenty of time left on it, or you could immediately be facing expensive repair bills.