Best Student Cars under £10k

The holidays are over, university accommodation is sorted, and Freshers Week is just around the corner!

Whether you’ve saved up from your summer job or the folks have given you a few quid to help you along your way, you may be in the market for your very first car.

Unfortunately, as a student, the reality is that your insurance premium is going to be higher than the average.

The good news is car manufacturers now cater to the needs of students more than ever before.

With specific finance plans and car models ‘geared’ towards the student population, there’s never been a better time to invest in your own ride.

So to help you make a wise and practical choice, DESIblitz is at hand to recommend some affordable cars with some great finance options, if you don’t fancy rinsing your student loan in one go!

All cars are within insurance group 10, give more than 40mpg, have low carbon emissions (meaning cheap or free road tax), and cost under £10,000 from new.

1. Dacia Sandero ~ £5,995

A name you may not be familiar with, but Dacia is growing in reputation for being very cheap and reliable.

Spacious and practical with a 1.2 16V engine. It may not be the best looking car, but a fuel economy of 48.7mpg make this one to consider coupled with the price.

2. Hyundai i10 ~ £7,995

Stylish both inside and out. Group 1 insurance and exempt from road tax, the back seats fold flat, giving you room to move all your gear back home at the end of the year.

3. Toyota Aygo ~ £7,995

Easily the sexiest looking motor on the list, which counts for a lot when you park up at campus.

Not just that, it’s fun to drive, free from road tax, and ‘roomy’. 68.9mpg means you’ll hardly ever fill up.

4. Vauxhall Viva ~ £7,995

Cruise control and traction control as standard this will make this motor easy to handle.

An overall good runner and cheap to maintain with great fuel economy at 62.8mpg.

5. Kia Picanto ~ £8,095

Kia’s 7 years warranty means you’ll be saving well after you’ve graduated.

With 67.3mpg, no road tax, tinted windows, body coloured bumpers, and plenty of gadgets and safety features, it’s a no brainer.

6. Peugeot 108 Access ~ £8,345

LED lights as standard, 69.9mpg and free road tax. There’s not much more to think about. Check out Peugeot’s ‘Just Add Fuel’ offer.

7. Volkswagen Up! ~ £8,870

VW is the most reliable and solid brand on the list.

With only £20 annual road tax, you just can’t go wrong with this 1.0 litre mini Polo, which churns out 62.8mpg.

8. Ford KA ~ £8,945

Ford’s 1.2 litre engine will make this a nippy little runner. One of the nation’s favourite brands, it’s popularity means parts are cheap and available nationwide.

With 57.7mpg and amazing student finance options, it may just work out cheaper than an annual train ticket!

9. Renault Twingo ~ £9,495

A contender for cutest car on the list. With bags of tech, including voice command and live traffic alerts, it’s also great performer. The Stop and Start engine delivers 67.2mpg.

The Twingo’s not just for boy racers.

10. Nissan Micra Visia ~ £9,640

The revamped shape is much better looking than previous models, making it almost edgy.

Like many Japanese cars, the Micra will never let you down, which is why it’s such a favourite with UK Desis.

Fuel economy of 56.5mpg, along with plenty of electric creature comforts as standard will give you little to worry about, so you can concentrate on sleeping during lectures.

Whether it’s assistance to create a brand new image for yourself, or a practical necessity to get you and your mates from the Student Union bar to the supermarket, there’s a great range of cars for you to choose from.