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‘They’re stylish & classy’ says driving expert as they reveal best five starter cars for under £5k
Plus three secrets to help pass your test in the video above
A CAR expert has revealed their top five starter cars that you can pick up for under £5,000.
Matt Watson, the Chief Content Officer at , and online marketplace for new and used cars, shared the advice to guide new drivers through the "rite of passage" of buying their first motor.
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He said: "Buying your first car is a rite of passage, but the difficulty in choosing your first car is that it has to do a little bit of everything - it needs to be in the lowest insurance group to have a chance of returning an affordable quote, while also being easy to drive, practical enough for your needs and cheap to run.
"Finding a car that’s good value, safe, and not so desperately uncool that your friends insist on still taking the bus are also pretty important factors to consider.
"The good news is that there are lots of cars that can fit the bill, with a little bit of online research.
"There are great condition options for less than £5,000, making an affordable entry point to the world of car ownership."
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Vauxhall Corsa
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The Corsa is renowned as easy to drive, economical and practical, making it ideal for learners and new drivers.
Indeed, it's so laid back that Matt joked that it's "as unthreatening to a new driver as a kitten is to a mountain lion".
That has helped it achieve best-selling status in the UK for several years.
Carwow offers a 2015 1.4-litre example with 70,920 miles on the clock for smack bang on the £5,000 budget.
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Fiat 500
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A staple of newly-qualified Brits for years, the 500 is a perfect little city car.
Matt said: "The 500 is probably the most successful retro reimagining of all time."
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He also praised the "cutesy styling and classic interior" that give it a more whimsical feel.
You can grab a 2016 model with 79,559 miles on it for £4,970.
Ford Fiesta
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The Fiesta was the most popular car in Britain, with 4.8 million sold in its 46-year production run.
And as Matt reasoned: "Millions of buyers can’t be wrong, can they?"
A 1-litre EcoBoost variant from between 2012 and 2017 can be had for £4,990, though it does have over 90,000 miles on the clock.
Get one while you can though as Ford's decision to discontinue the Fiesta this year means there are only a limited number in the world.
Renault Clio
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Dubbed by Matt as "one of the best all-round superminis you can buy", the Clio's strength lies in how cheap it is to run as well as buy.
Small engined petrol Clios are among the cheapest vehicles to insure, while diesel versions are more expensive but can get as much as 60 miles to the gallon in terms of fuel economy.
A 2014 example with 99,000 miles on it could set you back only around £4,000.
Kia Picanto
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Finally, the Picanto can be found online with prices ranging from as low as £4,000.
However, if you plump for a slightly newer, and more expensive, model you can benefit from Kia's excellent seven-year warranty, which is transferable between owners.
Matt added: "The Picanto may be tiny but it’s practical for its size, with a big boot and space for four adults in snug quarters.
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"Build quality is brilliant and the engines are even pretty peppy for a city car."
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