What needs consideration when buying a first car?

After the L plates have been thrown away there are a number of things to consider when choosing that all-important first vehicle - not just looks and engine size!

Price is often a crucial factor for people buying a first car, as many new drivers are studying or employed in their first job. Although the cheapest old-banger might be the first port of call for the first car, it's often not the best choice.

An older car could have a lot of problems with it - these will cost more to fix in the long run, so always check a car thoroughly before you buy it.

Shoppers should also bear in mind running costs. A car in a lower insurance band - which ranges from one to 20 - might be cheaper to run and easier to manage.

If you plan on buying second hand then check the car's history. There are many websites that offer this service, all are cheap to use and instantly give you the information you need on the car, such as previous owners, any accidents it has been in or even if it's stolen or reported missing.

These factors are also often linked – for example, a young driver who starts off with a powerful SUV is likely to find their premium is higher than someone who chooses something small and nippy like a Fiat 500.

Superminis and city cars can be useful options - Ford's Fiesta model can be a popular first car due to its relatively less powerful engine and sleek design.

The Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Citroen C2 are also useful starting points for similar reasons.

Smaller cars are often the vehicle of choice for just-passed drivers, as the insurance costs are usually lower due to the reduced engine power - although I'm sure some will mod their cars to enhance the speed and noise they produce.

Of course, every driver is different, so it may be worth checking out a number of providers before making a decision. The look of a car is important to most people, none more so than young adults who have just passed their test.