Whether we agree with it or not, learning to drive is seen as expensive. In truth, learning to play the piano or just getting a taxi is far more expensive. However, we live in a car culture where people expect to drive as a right. Therefore, they expect it to be easily affordable for all.

Getting driving lessons and paying for the theory and practical tests all add to the costs. Then, if and when they pass, they need a car to drive, insured and taxed.

Moneybarn has been looking at cars on offer. So, what are the cheapest and which are the ones that you should definitely avoid as a new driver?

To find out, Moneybarn compared the 20 most popular vehicles including the following factors:

  • Average monthly car finance repayments
  • Average insurance premium
  • Estimated annual fuel cost (based on an annual mileage of 6,800 miles)

The cheapest cars for learner drivers

  1. Vauxhall Corsa: £6,411 annual cost

Taking all of the costs into account, the Vauxhall Corsa comes out as the cheapest car for learner drivers, at an annual cost of £6,411. The Corsa was by far the cheapest vehicle when it came to finance repayments and is considered a good learner car that’s often used by driving instructors.

  1. Renault Clio: £6,999 annual cost

The Renault Clio takes second place, coming in at just under £7,000 for the first year. The Clio was one of the cheapest cars to insure and buy and is a popular car amongst learner drivers.

  1. Vauxhall Astra: £7,039 annual cost

Another hatchback takes third place, with the annual cost to learn in a Vauxhall Astra coming in at £7,039. The Astra is another solid option for those learning to drive, as a capable, comfortable and efficient all-rounder.

Average monthly repayments: Vauxhall Corsa (£280 per month)

If you’re going to be buying your own car once you pass, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible, and the cheapest car when it comes to finance payments is the Vauxhall Corsa, with an average price of £280 per month. The Corsa is a good all-round choice for learners that’s also fun to drive and it’s also great value.

Average insurance premium: Fiat 500 (£878 per year)

Insurance can be high for new drivers, so if you’re looking to save in this regard, then the Fiat 500 came in as the cheapest option, at £878 per year. The 500 is a small city car that has been on the market for over 50 years and its small size makes it ideal for learners.

Estimated annual fuel cost: Toyota Yaris (£408 per year)

Fuel is another big cost that you’ll have to get used to as a new driver, and the best value of the most popular cars in the country when it comes to fuel is the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris has an average cost of £408 per year, with its cheapest variations all featuring petrol hybrid engines, which help to keep costs down.

The most expensive cars for learner drivers

  1. Range Rover: £31,173 annual cost

The Range Rover is an iconic car, but it’s certainly not one that you’ll be looking to purchase as your first runaround, with a cost of over £30,000 for the first year. In fact, the Range was the most expensive on each of the factors we looked at, with an annual cost of £25,884 for finance payments, £2,614 for insurance and £1,240 for fuel.

  1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: £14,485 annual cost

It’s not surprising to see executive cars such as the Mercedes C-Class among the most expensive to learn to drive in, with the C-Class having an average cost of just under £15,000 for the year. If you’re lucky enough to be able to afford it, this is one of the most popular compact executive cars on the market for good reason, although maybe not the best for a novice to learn in.

  1. Audi A4: £14,069 annual cost

Another German compact executive car takes third place, with the Audi A4 costing £14,069 on average for a year. Like the Mercedes C-Class, it’s one of the best sellers in its class but doesn’t exactly lend itself to a new driver.

See the full article here.