Receiving a freshly issued driver’s license in the mail is an exciting milestone for teens. As well as a newfound sense of freedom, a license unlocks exciting new opportunities for work and play. Of course, the next step is securing a set of wheels.

Teens may be all about speed, style and street cred, but for most parents, safety is a top priority. Wondering what is the safest car for a teenager? Read on as we take a closer look at some of the safest, teen-friendly sets of wheels on the market.

Volkswagen Polo

Compact and zippy, the Volkswagen Polo is a perfect first car for teenagers. The cabin is spacious and well-appointed, with lots of tech in the newer models. It’s definitely not the most powerful model in the Volkswagen family, but the 1.0-litre petrol engine is a great starting point for new drivers. The low-powered engine also makes the Polo cheap to run and insure.

What is the safest car for a teenager, according to the Euro NCAP? The 2017 VW Polo supermini earned 5 stars in the crash test, including 96% in the Adult Occupant category. This is largely thanks to first-rate frontal and lateral protection. You’ll see loads of 2017 models on the used market. Or, if your budget is bigger, consider buying new and enjoy all the latest safety features and in-cabin tech. 

Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Corsa isn’t just one of the top-selling vehicles in the UK. It’s also one of the safest, boasting a 4-star Euro NCAP crash rating. This makes it a great pick if you’re researching “what is the safest car for a teenager”. Newer models are packed with features designed to support new drivers, including blind-spot detection, lane-assist and automatic emergency braking.

The enormous popularity of the Vauxhall Corsa means there’s plenty to choose from on the second-hand market. If you’re looking for a great deal on safe and reliable cars for teens, a Vauxhall Corsa from 2019 onwards is a savvy choice. The model was completely revamped in 2019, which means you’ll enjoy a suite of next-gen features.

Want to get your teen behind the wheel of an eco-friendly car? The latest generation of Corsa is also available with a fully electric engine. Prices start at just over £32,000, making this one of the more affordable EVs on the market.

Ford Fiesta

Fun and free-spirited, the Ford Fiesta is a fantastic car for newly licensed teenagers. It has great adult occupancy safety ratings, so you can rest easy knowing your teen is driving a model with an excellent Euro NCAP crash rating.

What is the safest car for a teenager with driver assist features? Splurge on a new-generation model and your teen will enjoy features like an interactive digital instrument cluster. As well as improving the driving experience, features like easy-to-read icons, navigation alerts and the option to pre-program driver preferences boost safety.

Like other superminis, great fuel economy and low insurance rates make the Ford Fiesta a great choice for teens. It’s been a favourite with UK motorists for years, meaning you’ll see plenty of supply on the second-hand market.

Renault Clio

Renault is a stickler when it comes to safety, so it’s no surprise the Clio earned 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash rating test. Now in its fifth generation, the best-selling model scored an Adult Occupant safety rating of 96%. If you’re looking for a car that offers young drivers the very best in on-road protection, the Renault Clio delivers.

Teens also benefit from a laundry list of safety assist features, including blind spot warning, traffic sign recognition, emergency braking and more. For young drivers with minimal experience, these features can be a huge bonus. Renault says the latest models have “the most comprehensive driving assistance on the market”. No wonder the Clio scored 72% in the Vulnerable Road Users category and 75% for Safety Assist features.

ORA Funky Cat

What is the safest car for a teenager with an all-electric engine? The ORA Funky Cat is turning heads with a retro aesthetic, next-generation technology and, of course, an emissions-free engine. It scored an impressive 92% for Adult Occupant safety in the Euro NCAP crash rating test, making it a solid choice for new drivers. It’s also packed with the latest technology and scored a huge 93% in the Safety Assist category. No wonder it was selected as one of the ‘Best in Class Cars of 2022’ by the Euro NCAP.

Skoda Fabia

A twinkling 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating makes the Skoda Fabia a solid choice for new drivers. What is the safest car for a teenager when it comes to the Adult Occupant rating? The 2021 Skoda Fabia is right up there with a score of 85%. It’s been out for a few years, which means you’ll see plenty of these models on the second-hand market. The small hatchback is also packed with features designed to assist drivers and protect vulnerable road users.

Stay safe with auto finance from My Car Credit

Safety should always come first when helping teens get behind the wheel of their first car. Now you know more about “what is the safest car for a teenager”, let’s talk finance. Most teens simply don’t have the funds to purchase a new or used car outright. This is where car finance steps up. It bridges the gap and allows young drivers to spread out the cost of purchasing a vehicle.

Can you get car finance at 18? Yes! The minimum age for car finance is 18, and your teen will need to meet eligibility criteria to get approved. Find out more in our complete guide to car finance eligibility. Or give us a call on 01246 458 810 to chat to our dedicated team about finance options for teens.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 11.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 11.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 11.87%, 47 monthly payments of £194.81 followed by 1 payment of £204.81 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,860.88, total amount payable £9,360.88.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!