What to look for when buying a car for your teen

After countless hours of perfecting parallel parking, your child has passed their drivers’ licence and now the hunt for an affordable starter vehicle begins.

According to Motus Select, hatchbacks across various ranges have become the overwhelming vehicle of choice for new drivers as it offers affordability, practicality and fuel efficiency.

When considering a car for your teen here are some of the key factors to consider:

Safety features
Safety should be your top priority when buying a vehicle for a first-time driver.

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Pay particular attention to safety ratings and features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.

Reliability
No one wants to be left stranded next to the side of the road and therefore reliability should be top of the list when selecting a vehicle.

Look for cars with good reliability records as well as low maintenance costs.

Fuel efficiency
Hatchbacks are known for being leaders in fuel efficiency, so look for a car that gets good fuel mileage.

Decreased fuel consumption will not only be kinder to your wallet but will instil good habits for being more environmentally conscious.

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Affordability
Affordability will ultimately dictate what you purchase for a teen wanting to zip around.

Size
Being smaller in size, hatchbacks are easier to manoeuvre and park however, be sure that is will meet your young drivers’ needs as they mature.

Technology
Technological features such as infotainment systems and Bluetooth connectivity will ensure that your teen’s hands are securely on the wheel and eyes on the road.