BUYING your first car is a landmark occasion as it means you don’t have to rely on the parent taxi service any longer.
And such a key decision shouldn’t be taken lightly with hours of research put into what car is best to start your life on the road.
Ford Fiesta is biggest selling car in the UK – but has not always number one choice for first cars
For most price is the number one factor with many scrimping together a few hundred pounds for a used banger.
Bargain finance deals have made it easier in recent years to get behind the wheel of a newer car for peanuts.
The average first time buyer now pays £4,081 for a car – compared to 30 years ago when it was just £1,000.
Brits don’t hang around, with 54 per cent of drivers admitting they had a car of their own within a month of passing their test.
And 22 per cent had a car before they had even passed their test.
So what was your first car? With the help of Gumtree we’ve compiled the favourite first cars from the last 60 years.
1950s: Morris Minor
More than 1.3million were made between 1948 and 1972
The Morris Minor made its debut in 1948 and was designed by Alec Issigonis – the same man behind the original Mini.
More than 1.3million were built in three different variations from 1948 and 1972.
It was noted for being incredible “English” and cheap to maintain helping it become a classic.
1960s: Ford Escort
The famous Escort name was first born in the late 1960s
A popular first car after it replaced the Ford Anglia in 1968, the Escort went on to gain fame as a rally monster.
Off the track, it was small but big enough for a family and the affordable price tag made it perfect for hard-up new drivers.
Ford managed to flog over two million of them.
1970s: Ford Cortina
The Cortina went through five different generations between 1962 and 1982
The Ford Cortina was on sale for 20 years and became the UK’s best selling car in the 1970s.
The family car became popular because it was cheap to run, easy to drive and inexpensive to buy.
It’s a formula that Ford have used to great success ever since.
1980s: Mini Cooper
Mini changed the landscape of the motoring world
The original Mini is a legendary motor – whether it’s staring in the Italian Job or being the choice of car of The Beatles.
The Mini has its own rockstar image and it’s little wonder that in the 1980s it was number one choice for new drivers.
Dinky dimensions but more practical than you might think – and fun to drive – it’s easy to see why they’re still so popular today.
1990s: Vauxhall Astra
The Astra is still a popular choice for young drivers even today
The small family hatchback is now on its seventh generation and it still offers cheap, practical motoring.
It first hit the market in 1980 and a decade later it was being snapped up by young drivers.
It also gained a reputation for being converted into a boy racer hot hatch thanks to the GSi and VXR badges.
2000s: Nissan Micra
Micra might not be too all tastes but it caught the imagination of first time drivers
The second generation Micra was built in the UK and launched in 1992.
The design wasn’t loved by all but they were known for their reliability, build quality and user friendliness – even if they lacked headroom.
2010s: Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is the best selling car in the UK thanks to cheap prices and great reliability.
It battled with the Micra as number one first car in the 2000s but took the crown over in the 2010s.
With so many available on the used market, it’s little wonder every wave of new buyer considers a Fiesta.
