Citroen C1, FIAT Panda 1.1 Active, Nissan Pixo, Peugeot 107, Suzuki Alto, Toyota Aygo. From £2,500 used. From £6,000 new via drivethedeal and via some dealers.

Group 1 insurance. 4 star NCAP crash safety rating. Under 120g/km and some under 110g/km so £20 or £30 annual VED from 2011/2012.

Or go up a size to Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic, Comfort or Style. £30 tax 2010/2011, £20 tax for 2011 model 2011/2012. 55 mpg. 5 year warranty. Chain cam engine. Feels stronger and is better equipped than a C1 clone. 

Tests and video trests of FIAT Panda , Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo and Suzuki Alto at Honest John Road Tests

• Young driver insurance based on mileage and in monthly instalments (using smartbox telematics to check on driver behaviour): www.insurethebox.com
• Young driver car and insurance packages: Standard rate PCPs, but insurance for 17 year olds from £300 for 9 months followed by a 40% NCD. www.youngmarmalade.co.uk
• Young driver insurance to drive the family car up to IG16/20 at £90.95 to£99.50 a month according to postcode.www.provisionalmarmalade.co.uk
• Young Driver Insurance: A policy suited to 17-25 year old, discounted by up to 40% as the car must not be driven between 11pm and 5am. www.i-kube.co.uk
• Young Driver 'Pay How You Drive' black box telematics scheme that cuts premiums by monitoring driving: www.co-operativeinsurance.co.uk/youngdriver
• Young Driver Price Comparison site: Quotezone
• Young Driver Insurance: Adrian Flux