Cars for kids: choosing the right car - Best buy up to £1000

Ford Ka 1.3 3dr ('96/P-'99/V)
Price from £800


The Ka has stood the test of time well.

It still looks funky more than 11 years after it hit showrooms, has a three-star Euro NCAP crash rating, a driver's airbag and a frugal (if rather crude) 1.3-litre petrol engine.

It's also the cheapest to insure of all the cars we've recommended here and drives extremely well.

So, if your budget is under £1000, the baby Ford is about as good as it gets.

Look out for models fitted with a passenger's airbag and anti-lock brakes.

Some were also specified with alloy wheels, air-con and CD players, but go for safety features over creature comforts.

Or try a...
Peugeot 306 1.4 L 3dr ('97/P-'99/V)
Price from £800

If a supermini doesn't quite cut it for size, the Peugeot 306 makes a good case for itself.

The 1.4-litre engine might not be particularly economical, but it does a good job of hauling the car and its passengers.

You also get a driver's airbag and power steering as standard.

Volkswagen Polo 1.0 L 3dr ('97/P-'99/S)
Price from £650

The Polo achieves a three-star NCAP crash rating, despite the absence of a standard driver's airbag.

Even so, choose a car fitted with one, as well as a passenger's airbag and anti-lock brakes.

There are plenty of used Polos to choose from and it shouldn't cost much to insure, either.